why i choose agriculture course essay

Cornell Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Search cornell admissions, writing your college of agriculture and life sciences (cals) interest essay.

In navigating the college admissions process, you will hear a great deal about holistic application reviews and the concept of “fit.” Fit for rigorous academics and a diverse, engaged community may certainly be demonstrated throughout your application materials — including your transcript, school report, involvement outside of the classroom and letters of recommendation. The College Interest essay (located on the Cornell Writing Supplement), however, is the space where you directly communicate the fit you have found that has led you to apply to Cornell. This makes it a truly meaningful component of your application. Your Cornell Writing Supplement essay topic will be specific to the undergraduate College/School that you have selected, and further, because CALS applicants apply and are admitted into one of our 20+ majors, speaking to your desired major is an essential part of the CALS essay.

The question that the CALS Admissions Committee has chosen to ask is:

Why are you drawn to studying the major you have selected? Please discuss how your interests and related experiences have influenced your choice. Specifically, how will an education from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and Cornell University help you achieve your academic goals?

Essentially, we want to hear directly from you: Why this major, at CALS, at Cornell? To answer the question effectively, you must consider all aspects of the experience and layers of community that you are seeking to be a part of. First, check in with yourself about why you are applying to Cornell CALS. By making a simple list attributing these elements to the major or CALS or Cornell (or some combination), you can clarify your initial focus and also learn where you need to dig in and explore further. After all — how can you communicate fit in an impactful way without first wrapping your own head around it?

Starting with the subject matter — where have your interests stemmed from? Is your major choice informed by classes you took in high school combined with projects, research, volunteer work, or hobbies you pursued? What are your current long-term educational or career goals? Beyond this, why does the Cornell CALS major stand out to you? Are you excited about the concentrations offered within the major? Specific classes you have read about? Faculty who you want to learn from? A supportive network within the major?

Are you drawn to being grounded in a major from the beginning, but having ample flexibility for academic exploration and evolution? Are you excited about cutting-edge intersections being pursued within the life, agricultural, environmental and social science disciplines at CALS — such as digital agriculture, computational sustainability, science communication or food justice? Does CALS’ mission to engage in purpose-driven science that tackles real-world challenges inspire you? Do you want hands-on learning to be an essential part of your college education?

Cornell is an institution where any person can find instruction in any study. Are you seeking to be part of a student body with a plethora of different backgrounds and perspectives? Do you want to have access to over 1,000 student organizations? Does the academic breadth of Cornell call out to you? The research focus? How about our commitment to sustainability? Or our unique position as an Ivy League institution, but also New York State’s Federal Land Grant University, with a deep-rooted culture of public service? Perhaps you are drawn to our beautiful campus in the thriving college town of Ithaca, NY.

This is certainly not a comprehensive list of topics to take into account as you build understanding of what makes your desired major, CALS and Cornell a great fit for you. There is no checklist or formula to follow as you approach this essay. Rather, it is up to you to gather information and insight, then reflect on what resonates. What drives your belief that you have found a match between the academic opportunities and student experience that Cornell CALS offers, what you seek in your future undergraduate career, and what you have to offer your college community? Tell this story in your own way.

So, why this major, at CALS, at Cornell? We can’t wait to read your essay to learn about how you fit here.

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10 Reasons Why You Should Study Agricultural Science

Emmanuel Onalo

September 26, 2022

Should you study Agric Science? Does an Agricultural Science degree offer rewarding career opportunities?

Sometimes deciding which course to study at the university or what career path to take can be difficult. When it even comes to choosing a course of study, most people shy away from Agric science. Engaging young people in the prospects of the agricultural sector has become imperative.

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Agric Science is both the practical and theoretical application of farming, production, and processing of plants and animals. It includes the technologies of soil cultivation, crop cultivation and harvesting, animal production, and the processing of plant and animal products for human consumption and use.

 In this post, we shall explore some of the reasons why you should study Agricultural Science. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider studying Agric science

Also read 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Opportunities in Agriculture

• Agricultural science is an exciting field to explore

Agricultural science is both practical and theoretical, and more people worldwide are getting interested in the sector. Agriculture is the world’s future, and choosing to study the course will position you to be relevant in future. More so, there are many interesting subjects in agricultural studies such as agricultural science, food processing, water resource management, physiology of plants, food chemistry , etc.

• Better job and career opportunities

The job and career opportunities available in the agricultural sector are unlimited. You do not need to bother about getting a job after successfully completing your studies. The scopes of job opportunities in the agric sector are broad because governments support the studies. You can decide to start up your own private firm based on your area of specialization. Upon graduation, you can also choose to pursue higher studies to qualify for higher opportunities or choose to work in various agro-allied industries. As an agricultural science graduate, you also stand the chance of getting a job in the banking sector or biotech industries.

• Agric Science is a progressive path

Agricultural science is an innovative sector that utilizes some of the most recent innovations in the field of science to make sustenance and subsistence farming less expensive. It becomes increasingly proficient and more secure due to its advanced performance. By choosing to study agric science, you become part of a field that is progressive and innovative in nature.

• Agriculture is the future

Without agriculture, there will be no food and no future. The world depends on farmers cultivating plants and animals for food production and industrial raw materials. Thus, agriculture can totally eradicate poverty and needs vibrant and passionate youths to be part of the sector. By choosing to study the course, you’re contributing your quota to the betterment of humanity.

• Future growth trends in the agric sector

The agricultural sector has one of the highest growth projections globally. Attitudes toward the industry are changing exponentially for good. Agriculture used to be one of the most neglected sectors. It was left to illiterate farmers. Now, the narrative is changing as more youngsters are becoming more passionate and enthusiastic when it comes to choosing a career path in the agricultural sector.

• High demand for young graduates

There is still room for innovation and opportunities in the agricultural sector. Young graduates are in high demand to carry out more agricultural research geared towards improving and transforming livelihood and technology in the developing industry.

• Technology in the agricultural sector

As such, most people see the agricultural sector as an ancient sector and do not consider it an advanced or modern sector. But the technology in this sector is continually advancing. Millions of farmers worldwide use modern equipment and sophisticated gadgets to boost their productivity and improve their business.

• High opportunities for young graduates and entrepreneurs

The agricultural sector has enormous opportunities for all. The sector is exceptionally friendly to young entrepreneurs who have the eyes to identify business opportunities. It is one of the best job creation sectors and welcomes investors from all works of life.

• The role of agricultural science in economic development

It has been estimated that the agricultural industry has more potential for reducing poverty than any other sector in the world. All nations of the world are now dependent on the agricultural sector like never before.

• There are more opportunities for Agric business in Africa

Upon your graduation, you can decide to go into full-time agric business as the market conditions are favorable across the world. Agricultural science is easy to practice and apply on the job.

Also read How to Make a lot of Money From Agriculture in Africa

Recommended Video: 10 Most Employable Courses to Study in the University Today

Careers in agricultural science.

The career options in Agricultural science goes beyond ranching and farming. If you’re passionate about working with animals, crops, and resources that contribute to the development of the economy, then pursuing a career in agriculture will be the best option for you.

Below are some of the career options available in agriculture.

• Agriculture Mechanics

This field consists of various skilled jobs. You may consider pursuing a career as an agric engineer, manager, scientist, or technician.

• Agricultural Assembly Technician : As an Assembly Technician, you’ll be responsible for assembling various parts of agric equipment. You’ll also be responsible for assembling the main instruments and machines used in agricultural practices. Most of the Agric Technician jobs require a higher diploma but an associate bachelor’s degree in power technology gives you a better chance to land high-paying jobs.
• Service/Maintenance Technician : The service/maintenance technician travels around different agro locations to service or repair agricultural equipment such as garden/lawn machines and farming equipment. They are responsible for detecting the faulty problems in machines and restoring them to normalcy.
• Precision Agriculture specialists : The duties of a Precision Agriculture specialist centers around supporting growers. They are responsible for helping farmers resolve technical issues associated with precision technologies.
• Agriculture Engineers

This is one of the fields of agriculture that requires advanced degrees in engineering. It often requires the extensive use of water lines, buildings, machinery, waste management, etc.

• Structural engineer or Food engineer : As a food engineer, you’ll make use of Computer Aided Technology to design different equipment and components in the agricultural sector. You can choose a career path in designing and developing food processing plants or a career path as a manufacturing operations supervisor. There are many more career options for a structural engineer, like designing structures for storing and processing crops or customized structures for animal housing and rearing.
• Irrigation engineer : Irrigation engineer is responsible for designing, planning, implementing, and analyzing agricultural irrigation systems. Depending on the job opening, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or agricultural engineering for a land and irrigation engineering job. However, some job opportunities will require either a master’s degree or a Ph.D.
• Agribusiness

The opportunities in the agribusiness sector are similar to jobs in other sectors. However, the anchor of these business positions is on food production either through animals or crops

• Finance Service Rep : An agricultural finance service rep works solely with insurance and loan portfolios. They create and grow portfolios of mortgages, operating loans, and term insurance: you’ll work closely with traditional farmers, niche agricultural farmers, individual hobby growers. To get better opportunities, you need a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business, business administration, or other finance-related degrees.
• Agriculture lawyer : As an agricultural lawyer, you’ll focus on the legal aspect of the agricultural sector. Your areas of specialization include land use, environmental regulations, agriculture labor, water use, seed property matters, and pesticide/chemical use in agriculture.
• Farm Accountant/Business Manager : A farm accountant/business manager provides financial consultancy services to farms and agro-allied companies. You’ll help create and analyze reports as part of your record-keeping duties. This includes the oversight of budgets of farm operations and other account-keeping duties. You need an associate degree in farm management or agricultural business to land high-paying jobs; most companies provide on-the-job training for those on the management career path.
• Farm Production Manager : A farm manager is responsible for overseeing the entire functions and production of a farm. As a farm production manager, you’ll liaise with supervisors and workers to ensure that supplies, equipment, feed/seed, and other basic necessities are available and ready for use on the farm for maximum productivity. You’ll be in charge of all functions ranging from harvests, day-to-day schedules, etc. this position requires a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, or other related fields.

Also read 5 Huge Opportunities Most People Are not Taking Seriously Today

• Agricultural Economics

The career options in Agricultural economics include

• Agricultural lender : Most of the positions in agricultural economics require a degree in either economics, finance, or business. For a job placement as an agricultural lender, you need a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, banking, business administration, or agribusiness.
• Food Distribution Manager : The food distribution manager is saddled with the responsibility of procuring food, transportation logistics. You’ll work with food manufacturing companies or grocery chains. As a food Distribution manager, you’ll oversee price discovery and maintain supplier network. Most of the job openings require a bachelor’s degree in business administration, agricultural science, or business management.
• Animal Science

This addresses the issues of production and management of livestock. It consists of other related fields like biology, physical and social sciences. Animal scientists can find different opportunities and a career path in animal foods.

• Animal Geneticist : Animal geneticists analyze and study the genetic makeup of various animals. You’ll identify different genes responsible for health issues and behaviors in animals, such as susceptibility and immunity to diseases as an animal geneticist; you’ll also identify the various ways of improving the selection process. To land high-paying animal genetics jobs, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in biology, animal science genetics, poultry science, or dairy science. Other job opportunities may require a master’s degree or Ph.D.

Agriculture is the future of most countries in the world, and the opportunities that lie in the agricultural sector are unlimited. We hope that the information we provided in this post has better deepened your understanding of the reasons why you should study Agriculture.

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The Importance of Agricultural Education and the FFA

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When people hear that I teach Agricultural Education and serve as a Future Farmers of America (FFA) Advisor, I am asked to explain what I teach because they haven’t heard of the curriculum or they have a stereotypical image of what I do. Agricultural Education should be in every school, but it isn’t. The importance of our curricula spreads further than the classroom—we need agriculture to survive. If you eat, you need agriculture. If you wear clothes, you need agriculture. If you take medicine, live in a house or write with a pencil, you need agriculture.

The courses taught under the Agricultural Education umbrella are essential to our students in many ways. It is our responsibility to educate youth on the importance of this time-honored industry and its professionals

. The National FFA Organization is the largest youth-led organization in the nation. Years ago, “FFA” stood for Future Farmers of America. In 1988, the name changed to the National FFA Organization to represent the vast changes in the organization. Today, over 600,000 members across the United States, including Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, are working hard to advance our nation’s most valuable industry—agriculture.

Each Agricultural Education program in the United States is unique in its own way. Courses range from Agricultural Business to Agricultural Economics, Animal Science, Horticulture, Agricultural Mechanics, Bioengineering, Floriculture, Natural Resources and Ecology Systems, Leadership Development and many others. Each pathway strives to advance agricultural technology and sustainability to improve the world in which we live. Regardless of a student’s interest, Agricultural Education instructors help students understand the importance of what they are learning in authentic, meaningful ways. Furthermore, Agricultural Education sparks new student interests, opening the door for students to discover potential future careers.

As I entered middle school, the opportunity finally came for me to take agriculture classes and be a member of the FFA! I attended meetings, participated in contests, went on educational trips, attended leadership conferences and made numerous new friends throughout Virginia. I was still somewhat shy in front of an audience, so when my mother suggested that I participate in the FFA public speaking contest, I thought she must have been kidding. However, her encouragement, along with guidance from my Agriscience teacher, Mr. Hisghman, motivated me to try it. In eighth grade, I won the Massanutten Federation, Northern Area, and then the State FFA Creed Speaking contest. I even placed third in the National FFA Invitational Creed Speaking Contest!

It was a true testament of how a little encouragement and belief from others could truly inspire someone to do great things.

My involvement continued when I was elected as the President of the Signal Knob Middle School FFA Chapter. Little did I know that years later I would return to that very school when Mr. Hisghman retired, to be the third-generation family member to serve as the Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor in my hometown.

Today, my program at Signal Knob Middle School is not set up like a traditional classroom. Each year, I greet more than 300 sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. I have 13 classes of students every two days and four different subject preps, all in Agriculture. To most people, this seems very overwhelming. While it can be challenging at times, I wouldn’t want it any other way. I am able to reach out to far more students than most teachers. I get them excited about Agricultural Education and the FFA starting in sixth grade, and help them develop their potential and accomplish great things by the eighth grade. My greatest accomplishments have been when I am able to coach and assist students in public speaking, parliamentary procedure, small animal care or agriculture mechanics, then watch them use those skills to compete in FFA Career Development Event contests and use these skills in their lives. I help students make connections with what they are learning in school to the outside world. I have contributed countless hours to ensuring that my students have authentic experiences in our school and community to develop a sense of civic responsibility.

I am able to instill passion and enthusiasm in the lives of my students through Agricultural Education and FFA involvement.

In fact, one of my former students, whom I taught in sixth, seventh and eighth grades, is graduating from high school this June. He enrolled in Agricultural Education in high school after he left our middle school program and continued being active in FFA. This fall, he will attend Cornell University majoring in International Agriculture. Agricultural Education programs are more than cows, plows and sows. We foster genuine, lifelong learning for all students, regardless of their background or future goals. There is something in Agricultural Education and FFA for everyone.

My students learn valuable life skills through hands-on projects in our school and community. This past year, our hard work was recognized when our FFA chapter was named the top middle school FFA chapter in the United States! The agricultural education program that my colleagues and I have developed and implemented now serves as a model for FFA chapters throughout the United States. We have developed innovative approaches and ideas to foster and promote student learning. We must work together to send forth empowered and versatile life-long learners, capable of successfully navigating to this ever-changing world and its myriad of complex and emerging challenges.

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Why should I study Agriculture?

• Video: Why should I study Agriculture?

What is Agriculture?

If you want to study Agriculture, you will deal with agricultural processes and their conditions. This includes the cultivation of renewable raw materials and the production of food for humans and animals. The goal is to produce food efficiently and in an environmentally friendly way. Those who study agricultural sciences work in an interdisciplinary way. During your studies, you will learn about economic, technical, biological and social science perspectives.

Three reasons to study Agriculture:

• Interdisciplinary perspectives: A degree programme in Agriculture offers the opportunity to approach agriculture at different levels. Thus, knowledge about the management and organisation as well as about the cultivation of plants can be gained.
• Good job opportunities: Worldwide, about 40% of people work in agriculture. However, this figure is not transferable to every nation, yet there are many opportunities and good job prospects for graduates with a degree in Agriculture.
• Regional & international job opportunities: With a degree in Agriculture, you have a wide range of locations in which to pursue your job. There are opportunities to gain a foothold regionally as well as internationally.

How to study Agriculture?

Agriculture is an interdisciplinary field of study that brings different perspectives to the issues of agriculture.

At the beginning of the programme, students study the natural sciences, where they learn about the chemical and physical properties of natural resources. In addition, students are given an insight into the social sciences, in which they deal with animal and human nutrition.

Basically, students are taught content from the following four core subjects:

• plant sciences : This subject deals with specific plant science on the one hand and on the other hand also with large interrelationships such as the balance of the ecosystem and climate change.
• livestock science : In this subject, students learn about animals and food production. There are also insights into veterinary medicine and animal nutrition.
• agricultural economics : The focus of this core subject is on the economics and sociology of agricultural processes. Specialization here can also be taken in marketing or in the history of agriculture.
• science and engineering: In this core subject, students are introduced to technical aspects of food production. On the one hand, this involves understanding agricultural machinery and on the other hand, soil samples are taken and interpreted, for example.

Programmes in Agriculture are structured according to the Bologna Process and consist of a Bachelor's degree (fundamentals) and a Master's degree (specialisations). Practical insights are also an essential part of the study.

What kind of job can I get by studying Agriculture?

Agriculture is an interdisciplinary field of study, which the later work in agricultural science is mostly practically oriented and requires direct contact with animals and plants. Agricultural scientists work in consulting, research, development, and sales, among other fields. Potential employers include public agencies and companies in the areas of plant cultivation and agriculture, as well as producers of foodstuffs, luxury foods, and animal feed. But international organisations and green associations also employ agronomists. These then support, for example, the development of sustainable agriculture in developing countries or work on projects for ecologically compatible food production.

How can U-Multirank help me find the best Agriculture study programme for me?

If you’re considering pursuing a degree in Agriculture, then let us help you find the best university for you. U-Multirank’s ‘ For students ’ track offers personalised university comparisons, so you can find the university that best matches you. U-Multirank’s subject rankings provide the feedback of more than 100,000 current students studying at the respective universities, offering a unique student perspective to the rankings via our Teaching & Learning dimension. Create your own personalised rankings today and compare universities according to what matters most to you.  To start, make sure to select Agriculture as your subject of interest and we’ll help guide you through the rest.

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Essay on Agriculture for Students and Children

500+ words essay on agriculture.

Agriculture is one of the major sectors of the Indian economy. It is present in the country for thousands of years. Over the years it has developed and the use of new technologies and equipment replaced almost all the traditional methods of farming. Besides, in India, there are still some small farmers that use the old traditional methods of agriculture because they lack the resources to use modern methods. Furthermore, this is the only sector that contributed to the growth of not only itself but also of the other sector of the country.

Growth and Development of the Agriculture Sector

India largely depends on the agriculture sector. Besides, agriculture is not just a mean of livelihood but a way of living life in India. Moreover, the government is continuously making efforts to develop this sector as the whole nation depends on it for food.

For thousands of years, we are practicing agriculture but still, it remained underdeveloped for a long time. Moreover, after independence, we use to import food grains from other countries to fulfill our demand. But, after the green revolution, we become self-sufficient and started exporting our surplus to other countries.

Besides, these earlier we use to depend completely on monsoon for the cultivation of food grains but now we have constructed dams, canals, tube-wells, and pump-sets. Also, we now have a better variety of fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds, which help us to grow more food in comparison to what we produce during old times.

With the advancement of technology, advanced equipment, better irrigation facility and the specialized knowledge of agriculture started improving.

Furthermore, our agriculture sector has grown stronger than many countries and we are the largest exporter of many food grains.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Significance of Agriculture

It is not wrong to say that the food we eat is the gift of agriculture activities and Indian farmers who work their sweat to provide us this food.

In addition, the agricultural sector is one of the major contributors to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and national income of the country.

Also, it requires a large labor force and employees around 80% of the total employed people. The agriculture sector not only employees directly but also indirectly.

Moreover, agriculture forms around 70% of our total exports. The main export items are tea, cotton, textiles, tobacco, sugar, jute products, spices, rice, and many other items.

Negative Impacts of Agriculture

Although agriculture is very beneficial for the economy and the people there are some negative impacts too. These impacts are harmful to both environments as the people involved in this sector.

Deforestation is the first negative impact of agriculture as many forests have been cut downed to turn them into agricultural land. Also, the use of river water for irrigation causes many small rivers and ponds to dry off which disturb the natural habitat.

Moreover, most of the chemical fertilizers and pesticides contaminate the land as well as water bodies nearby. Ultimately it leads to topsoil depletion and contamination of groundwater.

In conclusion, Agriculture has given so much to society. But it has its own pros and cons that we can’t overlook. Furthermore, the government is doing his every bit to help in the growth and development of agriculture; still, it needs to do something for the negative impacts of agriculture. To save the environment and the people involved in it.

FAQs about Essay on Agriculture

Q.1 Name the four types of agriculture? A.1 The four types of agriculture are nomadic herding, shifting cultivation, commercial plantation, and intensive subsistence farming.

Q.2 What are the components of the agriculture revolution? A.2 The agriculture revolution has five components namely, machinery, land under cultivation, fertilizers, and pesticides, irrigation, and high-yielding variety of seeds.

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How to Write the “Why This College” Essay (With an Example!)

Varonika Ware is a content writer at Scholarships360. Varonika earned her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications at Louisiana State University. During her time at LSU, she worked with the Center of Academic Success to create the weekly Success Sunday newsletter. Varonika also interned at the Louisiana Department of Insurance in the Public Affairs office with some of her graphics appearing in local news articles.

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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Applying to college is a big decision that brings a lot of excitement and stress. This is especially true when it comes to answering the “why this college” prompt asked by so many colleges. However daunting these prompts might seem, you got this. Keep reading to learn tips and tricks to write your “why this college” essay, and take a look at an example essay!

“Why this college?” essay prompts 

The “Why this college?” essay is probably one of the most common essays you’ll come across during your application process. This is partially because admissions committees want students that’re as interested and passionate about their institution. Some popular colleges that offer “why this college?” prompts include:

• Columbia University : “Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia. (150 words or fewer)
• Duke University : “What is your sense of Duke as a university and a community, and why do you consider it a good match for you? If there is something in particular about our offerings that attracts you, feel free to share that as well. (max. 250 words)”
• University of Michigan : “Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests?” (Minimum: 100 words/Maximum: 550 words)

As you can see, all three of the prompts are a variation of the basic “why this college” question. Let’s take a look at a sample response essay written for Columbia University. 

“Why this college?” sample essay

Dear Columbia University, 

This is probably the hundredth essay you’ve read in the sea of applicants, and as you’re likely expecting, I could tell you that I’m different from them all. Though in some ways, I’m the same. Like them, I want to stand on the corner of Broadway and 116th St. and know I chose the perfect school to study literary arts with a focus on fiction writing. 

Even more so, I strive to be one of the Columbia Greats that inspired me to pick up a pen. Though, you shouldn’t want me because I might be the next Allen Ginsberg, but because I plan on being a writer that captures the virtue found in the rye of J.D. Salinger, the watchful gaze of Zora Neale Hurston, and the freshness of my own style. Amongst your walls and tutelage, these literary greats blossomed, as I hope to.

Applicant Name

Why this essay works:

• Starts with a compelling statement to interest the audience
• Answers the “why this college?” question by discussing notable alumni and the arts program
• Uses a unique approach to the prompt question that reflects interest in the major of choice
• Explains why the admissions committee should choose this applicant
• Stays within the word count limit

Also see: How to respond to this year’s Common App essay prompts

Mistakes to avoid when writing a “why this college” essay

Generalizing.

When writing any essay, generalizing usually isn’t the way to go. Readers want to get invested in the story or argument you’re presenting, and the admissions office is no different. Details are a key component of making your essay stand out. 

The admissions committee wants to get to know you and assess how you’ll fit into their institution. No two applicants are the same, and you should strive to prove that through your unique essay. 

Placating the admissions office

It can be easy to fall back on simply telling your college’s admissions committee what they want to hear. However, you shouldn’t just pull facts and figures from the website or quote the college’s brochure. Individualize your essay not only to capture the attention of your reader, but to display interest in your college of choice.

Anyone can put general information in their application, but it takes effort to explain why you want to attend a particular school, how admission would affect your life, and what the school has to gain from your attendance. Think of it as a persuasive essay where you have to back up your argument with details. 

Also see: An insider’s perspective into what goes on in college admissions offices

Tips for writing your essay

Find a connection.

Even before you start writing your essay, figure out the connection between you and your college of choice. 

Is there a particular professor you want to study under? Are you a legacy applicant? Is it the campus of your dreams? Are you excited for a particular program? 

Asking yourself questions like this can help pinpoint what’s motivating you to apply to a university and why they should admit you. Explaining your connection to your school of choice can show the admissions committee that you belong on their campus. 

It will strengthen your application and help you individualize your application. Create an interesting or anecdotal story out of your connection in order to set yourself apart.

Also see: How to write an essay about yourself

Outline and edit

College essays usually range from around 200 – 500 words, which can go by much quicker than you might think. This is why it’s ideal to outline your essay once you’ve decided what to write about. It can be easy to get distracted by the little details, but emphasize the main points that are essential to the story you’re trying to tell the admissions office. 

It’s also a good idea to thoroughly read and edit your essay multiple times. You’ll want to submit the complete and final version of your essay, not something that reads like a rough draft. 

Remember, your parents, advisors, teachers, and peers can be helpful resources during revision. Feedback is an important aspect of the editing process.

Additional resources

Congratulations on starting your applications to college and working so diligently on them! Fortunately, Scholarships360 has even more resources to offer that can help propel your college journey in the right direction. 

• Start choosing your major
• Find the supplemental essay guide for your college
• Learn what “demonstrated interest” means for your application

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Why study agricultural science?

Agriculture is no longer viewed simply as growing of crops or animal husbandry. In the modern world, this discipline touches on areas such as business, geography, sociology and conservation.

Studies in Agriculture focus on a combination of factors, from environmental challenges faced by farmers, to the pressure caused by overpopulation and food shortages that concern governments and global corporations.

With the global population expanding at an inexorable rate, today’s generation of agricultural students will combine fields of engineering, business and politics to find a solution.

Why study Agricultural Science?

Coming from a country like Nepal, a country rich in cultural diversity, climate, wildlife but still in the process of developing, I can say that such economies are a great place to start up a new business with new ideas that could revolutionise the agricultural sector.

There is still a gap in the agricultural market in developing nations and international students can study more on Agricultural science and become pioneers by introducing innovative ideas and by using relevant modern technologies that could increase production and the quality.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements depend upon the subjects you choose to study within the Agricultural courses. For most of the undergraduate courses it is usually anything equivalent to 3 A levels (in the UK) or the minimum qualifications for undergraduate in different study destinations.

If English is not your first language, an English test is compulsory. The university ranking also affects the entry requirement for the courses and therefore it is better to do some research as to which institution is better for you to undertake the course

See IELTS and TOEFL English exams.

Course Structure

The undergraduate course for Agricultural science related subjects typically lasts for 3 to 4 years. Some of the related subjects within this course include rural studies, species conservation, rural social science, resource management, landscape ecology, environmental studies and economics and management.

In the 1st year the modules basically cover geography, business management, economics, agriculture, wildlife, forestry, sociology, ecology and many more. The typical 2nd year modules include management of habitats for wildlife, human impact on environment, food farming,technology, uses of insecticides and pesticides and many more.

 In the 3rd year students start a research project that could be linked to a work placement. The modules also cover topics related to agricultural policy, strategic marketing, species conservation, resource management and various other issues.

For postgraduate courses in Agriculture , you can check the list of options available by following the link.

Agriculture and its related subjects is a vast field. It also includes the study on wildlife, how to sustain and get the most out of it through effective methods of production. It educates you not only in the use of insecticides/pesticides but also gives a basic knowledge of the business and the financial side of running an agricultural business.

In countries where the major source of revenue comes from land production, a degree-level understanding of the field is as valuable as the soil itself. As the ecologically rich lands of these nations move forward into modernity, the industry is set to boom.

Have a look...

• Related courses are available in 335 universities

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Choosing a Career in Agriculture: Benefits, Tips and Career Paths

Tags: Career Advice

Are you looking for a rewarding and fulfilling job? You might be fit for a career in agriculture! As a multi-billion dollar industry, it’s shocking to know how many job seekers are unaware of the incredible, high-paying opportunities agriculture has to offer. It’s an industry that is constantly evolving and consistently in desperate need of new talent. Ag careers provide job security, competitive pay rates, and the chance to really have an impact on your community. When you come from within the agriculture industry as we do, it’s hard to believe there is a lack of qualified candidates and college graduates to fill the necessary roles. And especially working in agriculture recruitment, we see first-hand the diverse and vast scope of opportunities on a daily basis. The agriculture industry is booming with lucrative career paths… Why aren’t there more college grads and young job seekers champing at the bit? With the population rising at faster rates than ever before, agriculture careers are becoming increasingly more important. That’s why we’ve put together the following guide to help job seekers understand why working in agriculture is not only essential but incredibly advantageous. We’ve also created a list of 40 ag careers for those ready to discover their dream career in agriculture! Here’s what you’ll learn in this ultimate guide to choosing a career in agriculture:

10 Benefits of a Career in Agriculture

What can i do with an agriculture degree.

• Management and Business Jobs
• Science and Engineering Jobs
• Food and Biomaterials Production Jobs
• Education, Communication, and Governmental Jobs

How to Find a Career in Agriculture

Why work in agriculture.

If you’re wondering to yourself, is agriculture a good major to pursue? The answer is absolutely yes! While it isn’t completely necessary to have a degree in agriculture to land many agriculture jobs, it can place you in a better position and opens up other possible opportunities in the industry.

There are several benefits to choosing a career in agriculture. From the unique culture to the unparalleled pay rates, nearly anyone can find a niche within the ag industry that suits their skill set, needs, and goals. If you’re on the fence about whether or not agriculture is the right career choice for you, read on to learn more about the many advantages.

1. You’ll make a difference

Currently, there are over 300 million people in the U.S. that need to put food on their tables. Over the next 35 years, the world’s population will increase to near 9.6 billion, making the need for agriculture more significant than ever. We need to work together to increase agriculture production by 70%, therefore agriculture jobs across the world will be valuable for years to come. With the growing threat of climate change, the agriculture industry is in need of major changes to protect the future of our planet. The demand for motivated, innovative individuals that want to be part of the solution is greater than ever. By choosing a career in agriculture, you can contribute to solving this global crisis and make a huge difference.

2. Shortage in Job Force

“In 2019, 22.2 million full- and part-time jobs were related to the agricultural and food sectors—10.9 percent of total U.S. employment.” - USDA The amount of jobs in agriculture has grown immensely in the last decade, and continues to grow. However, only about 35,000 students will graduate annually with degrees in agriculture. There is a strong demand for graduates in agribusiness, agricultural science, and food science. Because of the rise in demand combined with the shortage in labor, agricultural graduates have enjoyed continued increases in salary with most graduates having a variety of choices on where to begin their career.

3. Agriculture is Everywhere

Every state in the United States grows some kind of crop, but agriculture isn’t only limited to rural areas. Many job seekers assume agriculture careers entail working on farms with crops and animals. However, there are many job opportunities that don’t involve getting your hands dirty. For example, manufacturers, suppliers, and other agriculture companies occupy the cities!

Plus, you can even seek work outside of the United States. Careers in agriculture are available and in great demand everywhere!

4. It’s a growing industry

The agriculture industry is growing at an incredibly rapid pace and as it does, the demand for qualified candidates increases right along with it. The job market is booming, which presents a unique opportunity for college graduates to find work quickly, pursue different areas of expertise to discover the niche that best suits them, and ultimately, grow their careers much faster than they might in other industries.

5. Technology

Technology is everywhere, even on farms and fields. Since advancements in technology are continuously evolving to improve productivity, more technology-savvy candidates are needed. If you’re interested in helping to feed the world and have an interest in technology, then agriculture is the perfect space for you to find a meaningful job that will allow you to help shape the future of the industry.

6. Join the next generation of agriculture

According to a study done in 2018 by the USDA, the average age of the workforce for all agriculture occupations lands around 40 years old. Compared to 2012 when the average age was 55.9 years old, the workforce is becoming younger every year.

This influx of young workers couldn’t have come at a better time. The industry needs younger successors to bring it into a new generation! Youthful minds with fresh ideas, insights, and problem-solving skills are welcomed with open arms at varying levels of education.

When you choose a career in agriculture, you’re joining the next generation of arguably the most essential industry on the planet.

7. Competitive Salary

In the current agriculture job market, employers are struggling to find high-quality talent. The shortage in labor has forced employers to keep their salaries competitive in order to attract the highest quality candidates and retain their top employees. This means you’ll likely discover a significant difference in salary for an agriculture job compared to that of the same job in another industry.

8. Positive Work Environment and Culture

As agriculture recruiters who have worked within the ag industry for many years, we encounter a wide variety of employees and employers, including agribusiness executives, farm managers, suppliers, and more. We can truthfully say that the people you’ll work with are down-to-earth, kind, and full of life!

Most workplaces in agriculture encourage a positive work environment and culture. You can feel confident that you’ll be working with like-minded people that share the same excitement for feeding the world and contributing to something greater.

9. Job Security

Agriculture isn’t going anywhere any time soon. And with the constant demand for qualified candidates across many areas of the industry, you can feel secure in knowing that you’ll always be able to find the next opportunity.

10. Wide Range of Job Opportunities

Everything from equipment operator and IT to Food Safety and Marketing, there is a wide range of positions in the agriculture industry. Read on to learn about many of the possible job opportunities you can seek with an agriculture degree.

There is a wide range of jobs for agricultural graduates in the industry, spanning across dozens of fields. Find your ideal career path within these agricultural jobs, perfect for agricultural graduates.

Here is a list of 40 agriculture careers:

Management and Business

It’s not surprising that nearly half of the openings will be in management and business. Agencies that lend to agribusinesses, such as banks and credit organizations, need appraisers, loan officers, and analysts that understand the industry. Insurance companies that work with farming operations need risk managers, and agriculture companies need accountants, sales reps, marketing managers, and more.

1. Sales and Service Representative

Agricultural sales professionals sell products related to food and crop production. Jobs can vary from selling equipment, seed, fertilizer, crop protection, and many other services. With the growth of agriculture, sales representatives are thought to be high in demand for many companies in the industry.

2. Forest Products Processing Manager

As a forest products processing manager, you’ll be responsible for overseeing a team of employees that operate forest production mills, supplies, and equipment. This job does require some technical training and a Bachelors in Forestry is required for some positions.

3. Farm Labor Specialist

Farm Labor Specialists or contractors conduct a form of agriculture recruitment for seasonal agriculture jobs. They work with ag companies to connect them with seasonal employees at certain times of the year.

4. Forest Ecosystem Manager

If you love the outdoors, have an analytical mind, and are passionate about preserving the world’s forests, a career as a forest ecosystem manager is a great path for you. This role involves studying soils, water, plants, and animals, working with cutting-edge technology, and developing sustainable practices for the preservation of woodlands and forests.

5. E-commerce Specialist

Work closely with the worldwide web helping agriculture companies find new opportunities in the digital era. This requires knowledge of sales and marketing strategies, web development skills, and other internet-savvy capabilities.

6. Financial Analyst

As a financial analyst, you’ll provide guidance to agribusinesses and individuals regarding major financial decisions and investments.

7. Agricultural Economist

Agricultural economists analyze trends, data, and patterns within the agriculture industry and individual businesses to make predictions and act as a financial advisor.

8. Agricultural Loan Officer

Help farmers acquire the funds they need to support their organization, purchase additional property, and more. As an agriculture loan officer, you can be the saving grace for struggling farmers to stay in business or expand their brand.

9. Marketing Specialist

The agriculture industry is filled with tremendous opportunities for marketing specialists! Skilled marketers are in high demand within every niche of the agriculture industry.

10. Grain Merchandiser

Grain merchandisers serve an important purpose in the marketing and selling of grain. Their role involves working as a middle man between farmers wanting to sell their grain and the end-users that want to purchase it. A position like this requires great people skills as you connect with farmers and rural workers, as well as an understanding of the market.

Science and Engineering

About 15,500 jobs will open annually in this sector. With food technology being the nation’s largest industry, food scientists are necessary to help solve problems involving food quality, safety, technology, and abundance.

11. Food Scientist

Food scientists have been in great demand for more than a decade and are expected to only grow. The job of a food scientist is to improve the quality of food products and create new ones by researching and experimenting with new combinations using food processing techniques, food sources, and raw ingredients.

12. Veterinarian

The agricultural industry needs veterinarians to keep farm animals (livestock) healthy. The job involves performing medical tests in a laboratory environment for treatment and for the purpose of diagnosis. The job may also include the preparation of vaccines for the prevention of disease, and assisting a veterinarian during surgery or fertilization.

13. Biological Engineer

If you’re in search of a career that will help take care of our planet, you should pursue a career as a biological or agricultural engineer. You’ll work with technology to develop cleaner, more sustainable environments, clean water, renewable energy and preserve the quality of our planet’s ecosystems.

14. Environmental Scientist

Working as an environmental scientist involves analyzing data, discovering patterns, and assessing threats to the environment. It also entails developing strategies to prevent, control or solve environmental issues.

15. Insect Biologist

Also known as an agricultural entomologist, an insect biologist studies insects, their environments, and their behavior to advise farmers on how to protect their crops from harmful pests without eliminating the beneficial insects, like bees.

16. Plant Scientist

The role of a plant scientist is to advise food producers and crop developers about how they can improve their practices and implement new methods to enhance their production. Plant scientist positions require a degree in plant science, agricultural science, or other related studies.

17. Watershed Scientist

Watershed scientists play an important part in our communities. Their job is to treat and manage wastewater to ensure we have a clean water source.

18. Irrigation Engineer

Another essential role in the agriculture industry is that of an irrigation engineer. This job involves planning, designing, and managing the development of irrigation projects so that agricultural lands are provided with ample water supply.

19. Animal Scientist

Animal scientists are involved in researching livestock and other animals to discover better ways to breed, care for and maintain the health of farm animals.

20. Agronomist

An agronomist is a specific kind of scientist that focuses on crop production and soil management. This role works hand in hand with food producers to help them find ways to enhance and increase crop production.

21. Horticulturist

Horticulture and agriculture are related fields. This job requires agricultural graduates to focus their skills and experience on growing and selling highly marketable fruits, vegetables and flowers. The job role ranges from landscape designers, nursery managers, and forest experts to florists.

Food and Biomaterials Production

About 8,500 jobs will open annually in this area. Job opportunities in fresh, locally grown food production, poultry and swine production, crop production, forest management, and precision agriculture are growing. These agribusinesses need researchers, inspectors, quality assurance, and more.

22. Farmer/Rancher

While many of the farmers and ranchers in the country have inherited their family farms, there is still plenty of opportunities for young candidates to find the right opportunity and work their way up. If you have a passion for farming, herding, harvesting, and everything in between, you’ll thrive as a farmer or rancher.

23. Poultry Production Manager

As a poultry production manager, you’ll oversee the operations of the production process, ensure all protocols are followed, hire and train new employees, and manage financial recording and processing.

24. Range Manager

Range managers work alongside ranchers to provide advice regarding land management practices and sustainable production, as well as manage rangelands by regulating grazing and planning out the most ideal grazing systems.

25. Precision Agricultural Specialist

If you’re looking for an agriculture career that involves technology, a position as a precision agricultural specialist might interest you. Your responsibility in this role would be to provide technical assistance to farmers and growers that use precision technologies in their production processes.

26. Fruit and Vegetable Grower

Growing fruits and vegetables is the heart and soul of agriculture. Work closely with nature, caring for large amounts of crops and providing food for dinner plates all across the country.

27. Forest Manager

As a forest manager, you’ll be working to preserve forests and develop ways to protect and manage these areas. This role helps to maintain the health of our forests and woodlands, which contributes to the health of the entire planet.

28. Crop Management Consultant

A crop management consultant, also known as a crop advisor, works with food producers and rural workers to help them improve their crop production. In this position, you’ll spend time building relationships with farming clients, scouting their fields for any potential issues, and advising on ways they can prevent these issues from negatively impacting their upcoming growing season.

29. Organic Crops Grower

Spend your days in the fields caring for crops and producing food, using organic growing techniques. Organic agriculture has been on the rise in recent years and is said to be part of the solution to slowing the adverse effects of climate change.

30. Swine Production Manager

Swine production managers oversee the employees, enforcing protocols, financial reporting, hiring, training, and other operations on a swine farm.

31. Aquaculturist

The job of an aquaculturist is to research, study and ensure the healthy production of the aquatic animals that make it to our dinner plates.

Education, Communication, and Governmental Services

Educating our youth about agriculture is extremely important because it ensures the continued interest and development of the industry. Communication jobs are essential to provide critical information to producers and consumers of the industry.

Government agricultural agencies maintain the industry policies and legislation to ensure they remain effective and up to date. About 7,200 jobs will be open annually in this segment.

32. High School Agriscience Teacher

A passion for the agriculture industry can start during those formative high school years when the reality of going to college and choosing a career path becomes tangible. High school agriscience teachers are important contributors to the agriculture industry. Inspire the next generation of agriculture workers by becoming an agriscience educator!

33. Agricultural and Natural Resources Communications

This field offers the opportunity to agricultural graduates to work in print and broadcast journalism. The job role typically ranges from magazine and newspaper staff, press spokesperson, public relations and educator, etc.

34. Rural Development Specialist

Working as a rural development specialist requires knowledge in wastewater, water operation, and treatment. This role involves staying up to date with regulations and advising community groups on program planning, facility development, finance management, and more.

35. Plant and Animal Inspector

Protect the health of agriculture animals and plants in this role as a plant and animal inspector. You’ll be responsible for administering the Animal Welfare Act and ensuring that regulations are followed.

36. Outdoor Recreation Manager

As an outdoor recreation manager, you’ll manage and administer programs that take place in recreational settings including parks, forests, beaches, and more.

37. Agricultural Extension Educator

Agricultural extension educators or officers keep farmers, ranchers, and community groups up to date on the latest industry information. Their job involves traveling around their assigned territory and sharing details on tech advances, management practices, marketing, and other info that offers value to their agribusiness.

38. Farm Services Agent

The role of a farm services agent is to ensure that agricultural policies are being followed and administer credit or loan programs.

39. Food and Agricultural Science Editor

As a food and agricultural science editor, you’ll share the latest news, stories, and advances in the agriculture industry.

40. Natural Resources Conservation Specialist

If you’re passionate about helping the planet and being a part of the solution, working as a natural resources conservation specialist might be the job for you. In this role, you’ll study vulnerable ecosystems and habitats, create natural preservation regulations, and restore threatened animals and plant life.

Finding a career in agriculture is not difficult. The opportunities are boundless! However, with so many possible career paths, it can be hard to know where to start.

That’s why the best way to find the right agriculture career for your skillset and goals is to work with a team of experienced agriculture recruiters. At AgHires, we help ambitious job seekers like you land their dream job in the agriculture field every day.

Careers in Agriculture Are Important

We need to feed and clothe over 7 billion people in the world, and that number is growing every day, so agriculture plays an important role. It doesn’t matter what your interests are, you can find a place in the agriculture industry and every position plays an important role in taking care of each other.

AgHires can help you find your dream job within the industry. Upload your resume today and be found by our recruiters. Plus, search over 10,000 jobs daily and find your dream job. Make sure to take advantage of our resources as well, such as job alerts, career advice, and job manager.

Karyn Moyer

Karyn Moyer is the Senior Marketing Manager at AgHires, with over 13 years of marketing experience, over 9 of which she has spent in the agriculture marketing industry. Growing up in a small farming town, Karyn has a deep appreciation for the importance of agriculture and its role in our communities. Since joining AgHires in 2017, Karyn has used her wealth of experience and knowledge to help job seekers and clients achieve their goals. She has a passion for learning and discovering new ways to support the industry.

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Six reasons to study Agriculture & Forestry

Agriculture & forestry has many real-life applications and career prospects. discover six of the best reasons to study this degree, what you can do with it, and how to use it to your advantage..

1. Help the world’s population

The Agriculture & Forestry industry and its success is vital for the well-being of the people of the world – specifically those in poverty-stricken areas. If your dream is to help alleviate world hunger, then a degree in this sector is a great start. It's also an excellent platform to help create work opportunities for the rural poor in less economically developed countries.

2. Support the environment

If you’re concerned about the environment, a degree in Agriculture & Forestry could help you get a job in conservation and sustainability, where you could make a real difference to the planet.

3. Combine several different academic areas

Whether you're interested in the scientific side or the practical, there's something to suit many different types of learners. The Agriculture & Forestry sector needs it all, from logical statistics interpreters to people physically planting crops or taking measurements in the field.

• READ MORE 
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4. Postgraduate opportunities are plentiful

There are many different postgraduate courses to go onto study in this area. From coastal change to natural resource economics, the list is diverse and fascinating.

5. Many different career paths

The range of different professions required for the positive development of Agriculture & Forestry around the globe is vast and dynamic. A career can take many different routes, from business management, farming journalism, data analysing, agricultural sales and marketing, environmental conservation, public recreation, social research and many more. 

6. Chance to experience a wide range of environments

Whether you work on the other side of the world or stay in the UK, a job within the Agriculture & Forestry sector allows your office to be indoors, outdoors, or a mixture of both. Practical work to data handling on a computer; the options are endless.

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Testimonials of BS in Agriculture Graduates from the Philippines

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Law courses – Scope, Advantages & Career options

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Being confident in subject matter and developing skills in agriculture practical knowledge. Preparing for the competitive exams during the due course. One can hit a successful career by choosing agriculture as a career option.

Why to choose Agriculture as a Career Option?

Be the first to change and transform your future for agriculture a s a career. Every human depends on food for their survival. Scope of agriculture a a career will never get down. As the population increasing and land was decreasing now a days. Technology in agriculture is to be improved therefore there was more need of agriculture graduates to improve the agriculture technologies and to improve nation’s economy.

Information about Agriculture

B.Sc . Agriculture is 4 years professional degree course which is different from casual degree having specialisation of subjects with practical. After B.Sc. Agriculture one can pursue M.Sc . Agriculture with specialised subjects and then after PhD can be done. So, It is really good to think to make a career in agriculture.

Career opportunities in agriculture

Higher studies:.

An agriculture or forestry degree will enable you to understand more about farming. Further study could lead to the development of solutions to real-world farming and crop production problems. Complete your MSc and PhD in agriculture. After that, you can become scientists or professors.

Bank select agriculture graduates in official cadre as specialist officer, Agriculture field officer and clerk cadre as junior Agriculture associate. BSc in agriculture is a good course to do. After that, you are eligible to apply for jobs offered by banks and finance sector.

Government jobs:

You can define your career in government sector. For example, agriculture officer [A.O], agriculture extension officer[A.E.O], agriculture development officer[A.D.O], food Corporation of India-[FCI], scientist in government institutes-breeder, agronomist. So that, you will get opportunities in goverment sector also.

Private Agriculture Jobs:

There are many fields in private sector also. For example, Agro industries, agriculture marketing, R&D in MNC Companies fertilisers, pesticides, seeds development companies.

Self-employment:

Moreover, you can start your own business. If you have good knowledge about the subjects, then you can do anything in this field. Moreover, several startups and entrepreneurs are coming up within the agricultural sector. You can do your own poultry farming.

Scope and importance of agriculture:

agriculture as a career is a good choice as it will create many career options for you. Number of opportunities to uplift the livelihood from ground level. Moreover, agriculture can be defined as the art, science, and business of cultivating crops and livestock for economic purposes. It is true the the Indian agricultural sector is facing some serious challenges as well. But, challenges mean there are more than enough opportunities.

Agriculture having a vast opportunities as all the aspects of crop production, horticulture, etc. There will be no loss in career for choosing agriculture. Agriculture will gives you the ladder to climb up your success.

Job and salary

As a starter one can expect his/her salary ranging from 10000 -20000/- per month in profession. It will be increased depends on ones skills and experience. Some private companies or agencies offer lucrative pay-packages. One can start his own company with minimum turnover of 3L-5L per month by choosing agriculture as a Career.

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Why i chose agriculture, choosing a career in agriculture is a constant challenge to myself that continuously pushes me outside my comfort zone and ignites a fire within me to learn more..

As a college student, there are many questions you are asked, with the two most common being:

• What year are you now?
• What are you studying?

Typical answers usually range from nursing to business. But not mine.

“I’ll be a junior this fall studying animal science with a minor in journalism and mass communications.”

Which then brings about my favorite question, " Why? ".

Animal Science is a major within the College of Agriculture. I have chosen to pursue a career in the field of agriculture for the rest of my life, and I will continue to choose the agriculture industry without a shadow of a doubt.

The FFA Creed written by E. M. Tiffany says it best in the first few lines, “ I believe in the future of agriculture…” and that is precisely why I chose the path I am on. I have a firm belief in the future of agriculture as it is one of the largest, most diverse industries in the United States that will always be needed.

When I think of the ag industry, many words come to mind. Opportunity, Family-- just to name a few. Growing up on a family farm, I have been blessed, and fortunate enough, to witness all the ag industry has to offer first-hand. I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I’ll start with the good.

In 2006 at the young age of eight, I joined the local 4-H club and began exhibiting cattle at the county fair, which soon progressed to the Illinois State Fair in 2008, and eventually the national level (National Western Stock Show, Junior National Heifer Shows, NAILE), and eventually joined my high school’s FFA Chapter in 2012. By participating in these events, I was afforded the opportunity to connect with people from all across the country who share similar passions, and dreams, as me. I was presented with the opportunity to learn valuable career skills such as public speaking, critical thinking, time management, teamwork, event planning, etc. Bottom line: I have the opportunity to grow.

In a class I took the past spring semester we briefly touched on the difference between connotation and denotation. I cannot think of a better example than the word family . The instant Google definition, and denotation, of the word is a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household . I prefer the Urban Dictionary (yes, I did say Urban Dictionary) “connotation” : A group of people, usually of the same blood (but do not have to be), who genuinely love, trust, care about, and look out for each other. REAL family is a bondage that cannot be broken by any means.

To me, that is precisely what the ag industry is- a family .

This spring, wildfires raged across the southern panhandle, destroying everything (farms, homes, livestock, even people) in it’s path. Farms and ranches suffered countless losses, but, one thing is for certain: they were not alone. One by one, in the face of adversity, farmers not affected by the fires stepped up to the plate and began delivering flatbed trailers loaded plum full of round hay bales to those in need. Not because there was a way to profit, but because of the sheer want to help. We are a unique family made up of different races, genders, and backgrounds with not one being the exact same who genuinely care about one another. As long as I am involved in the ag industry, I am certain that I will have a second family who will continue to support me and always have my back in any situation.

Now onto the bad and the ugly.

Glamorous is not a word often associated with agriculture, and truthfully, it should not be. This lifestyle comes with many challenges. Our industry is constantly under attack by organizations like PETA and HSUS aiming to sway consumers viewpoints. The worst part? They’re good at it because they hire marketing experts who know how to appeal to our deepest emotions. The war us agriculturists fight daily is ugly. In all honesty and with no sugar coating, we do have to “be mean” to our animals at times. But let’s also get something straight, It's NOT BECAUSE WE WANT TO . Like a mother’s natural instinct to protect and take care of her children, farmers and ranchers have an instinct built in to do what is necessary to make sure their animals are happy and healthy again if they become sick or are threatened.

My “ why ” is just this:

I see the challenges agriculture has faced, and will continue to face, in the past, present and future. Choosing a career in agriculture is a constant challenge to myself that continuously pushes me outside my comfort zone and ignites a fire within me to learn more. By learning more, and sharing my story, its possible to build a more effective foundation of trust consumers can count on to answer questions they have honestly, and openly, through relatable conversations that promote agriculture in all facets.

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25 beatles lyrics: your go-to guide for every situation, the best lines from the fab four.

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The End- Abbey Road, 1969

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Dear Prudence- The White Album, 1968

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

Because- Abbey Road, 1969

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

All You Need Is Love, 1967

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

We Can Work It Out- Rubber Soul, 1965

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Come Together- Abbey Road, 1969

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

I Wanna Hold Your Hand- Meet The Beatles!, 1964

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-1967

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Strawberry Fields Forever- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Rain- Paperback Writer "B" side, 1966

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

Here Comes The Sun- Abbey Road, 1969

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

Saw Her Standing There- Please Please Me, 1963

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

Michelle- Rubber Soul, 1965

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

Revolution- The Beatles, 1968

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Eleanor Rigby- Revolver, 1966

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

With A Little Help From My Friends- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Hey Jude, 1968

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

Yesterday- Help!, 1965

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

Let It Be- Let It Be, 1970

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all i got to give if you say you'll love me too. i may not have a lot to give but what i got i'll give to you. i don't care too much for money. money can't buy me love.

Can't Buy Me Love- A Hard Day's Night, 1964

All you need is love, love is all you need

All You Need Is Love- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly. all your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird- The White Album, 1968

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

In My Life- Rubber Soul, 1965

While these are my 25 favorites, there are quite literally 1000s that could have been included. The Beatles' body of work is massive and there is something for everyone. If you have been living under a rock and haven't discovered the Fab Four, you have to get musically educated. Stream them on Spotify, find them on iTunes or even buy a CD or record (Yes, those still exist!). I would suggest starting with 1, which is a collection of most of their #1 songs, or the 1968 White Album. Give them chance and you'll never look back.

14 Invisible Activities: Unleash Your Inner Ghost!

Obviously the best superpower..

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

1. "Haunt" your friends.

Follow them into their house and cause a ruckus.

2. Sneak into movie theaters.

Going to the cinema alone is good for your mental health , says science

Considering that the monthly cost of subscribing to a media-streaming service like Netflix is oft...

Free movies...what else to I have to say?

3. Sneak into the pantry and grab a snack without judgment.

Late night snacks all you want? Duh.

4. Reenact "Hollow Man" and play Kevin Bacon.

America's favorite son? And feel what it's like to be in a MTV Movie Award nominated film? Sign me up.

5. Wear a mask and pretend to be a floating head.

Just another way to spook your friends in case you wanted to.

6. Hold objects so they'll "float."

"Oh no! A floating jar of peanut butter."

7. Win every game of hide-and-seek.

Just stand out in the open and you'll win.

8. Eat some food as people will watch it disappear.

Even everyday activities can be funny.

9. Go around pantsing your friends.

Even pranks can be done; not everything can be good.

10. Not have perfect attendance.

You'll say here, but they won't see you...

11. Avoid anyone you don't want to see.

Whether it's an ex or someone you hate, just use your invisibility to slip out of the situation.

12. Avoid responsibilities.

Chores? Invisible. People asking about social life? Invisible. Family being rude? Boom, invisible.

13. Be an expert on ding-dong-ditch.

Never get caught and have the adrenaline rush? I'm down.

14. Brag about being invisible.

Be the envy of the town.

But don't, I repeat, don't go in a locker room. Don't be a pervert with your power. No one likes a Peeping Tom.

Good luck, folks.

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned..

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

1. The importance of traditions.

Sometimes traditions seem like a silly thing, but the fact of it is that it's part of who you are. You grew up this way and, more than likely, so did your parents. It is something that is part of your family history and that is more important than anything.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

No matter how many times they get on your nerves or make you mad, they are the ones who will always be there and you should never take that for granted.

3. How to give back.

When tragedy strikes in a small town, everyone feels obligated to help out because, whether directly or indirectly, it affects you too. It is easy in a bigger city to be able to disconnect from certain problems. But in a small town those problems affect everyone.

4. What the word "community" really means.

Along the same lines as #3, everyone is always ready and willing to lend a helping hand when you need one in a small town and to me that is the true meaning of community. It's working together to build a better atmosphere, being there to raise each other up, build each other up, and pick each other up when someone is in need. A small town community is full of endless support whether it be after a tragedy or at a hometown sports game. Everyone shows up to show their support.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

People say this to others all the time, but it takes on a whole new meaning in a small town. It is true that life is about the journey, but when you're from a small town, you know it's about the journey because the journey probably takes longer than you spend at the destination. Everything is so far away that it is totally normal to spend a couple hours in the car on your way to some form of entertainment. And most of the time, you're gonna have as many, if not more, memories and laughs on the journey than at the destination.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

Word travels fast in a small town, so don't think you're gonna get away with anything. In fact, your parents probably know what you did before you even have a chance to get home and tell them. And forget about being scared of what your teacher, principle, or other authority figure is going to do, you're more afraid of what your parents are gonna do when you get home.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

Everyone deserves a chance. Most people don't have ill-intentions and you can't live your life guarding against every one else just because a few people in your life have betrayed your trust.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

While small towns are not always extremely diverse, they do contain people with a lot of different stories, struggle, and backgrounds. In a small town, it is pretty hard to exclude anyone because of who they are or what they come from because there aren't many people to choose from. A small town teaches you that just because someone isn't the same as you, doesn't mean you can't be great friends.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

In a small town, you learn that it's okay to be who you are and do your own thing. You learn that confidence isn't how beautiful you are or how much money you have, it's who you are on the inside.

10. How to work for what I want.

Nothing comes easy in life. They always say "gardens don't grow overnight" and if you're from a small town you know this both figuratively and literally. You certainly know gardens don't grow overnight because you've worked in a garden or two. But you also know that to get to the place you want to be in life it takes work and effort. It doesn't just happen because you want it to.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

If you're from a small town, you know that you will probably only meet a handful of people in your life who ACTUALLY know where your town is. And forget about the people who accidentally enter into your town because of google maps. You've gotten really good at giving them directions right back to the interstate.

12. How to be humble .

My small town has definitely taught me how to be humble. It isn't always about you, and anyone who grows up in a small town knows that. Everyone gets their moment in the spotlight, and since there's so few of us, we're probably best friends with everyone so we are as excited when they get their moment of fame as we are when we get ours.

13. To be well-rounded.

Going to a small town high school definitely made me well-rounded. There isn't enough kids in the school to fill up all the clubs and sports teams individually so be ready to be a part of them all.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

In a small town, good luck holding a grudge. In a bigger city you can just avoid a person you don't like or who you've had problems with. But not in a small town. You better resolve the issue fast because you're bound to see them at least 5 times a week.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

One of my favorite things about growing up in a rural area was being able to go outside and go exploring and not have to worry about being in danger. There is nothing more exciting then finding a new place somewhere in town or in the woods and just spending time there enjoying the natural beauty around you.

16. To be prepared for anything.

You never know what may happen. If you get a flat tire, you better know how to change it yourself because you never know if you will be able to get ahold of someone else to come fix it. Mechanics might be too busy , or more than likely you won't even have enough cell service to call one.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

It's okay to ask for help. One thing I realized when I moved away from my town for college, was how much my town has taught me that I could ask for help is I needed it. I got into a couple situations outside of my town where I couldn't find anyone to help me and found myself thinking, if I was in my town there would be tons of people ready to help me. And even though I couldn't find anyone to help, you better believe I wasn't afraid to ask.

18. How to be creative.

When you're at least an hour away from normal forms of entertainment such as movie theaters and malls, you learn to get real creative in entertaining yourself. Whether it be a night looking at the stars in the bed of a pickup truck or having a movie marathon in a blanket fort at home, you know how to make your own good time.

19. To brush off gossip.

It's all about knowing the person you are and not letting others influence your opinion of yourself. In small towns, there is plenty of gossip. But as long as you know who you really are, it will always blow over.

Grateful Beyond Words: A Letter to My Inspiration

I have never been so thankful to know you..

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

You have taught me that you don't always have to strong. You are allowed to break down as long as you pick yourself back up and keep moving forward. When life had you at your worst moments, you allowed your friends to be there for you and to help you. You let them in and they helped pick you up. Even in your darkest hour you showed so much strength. I know that you don't believe in yourself as much as you should but you are unbelievably strong and capable of anything you set your mind to.

Your passion to make a difference in the world is unbelievable. You put your heart and soul into your endeavors and surpass any personal goal you could have set. Watching you do what you love and watching you make a difference in the lives of others is an incredible experience. The way your face lights up when you finally realize what you have accomplished is breathtaking and I hope that one day I can have just as much passion you have.

SEE MORE: A Letter To My Best Friend On Her Birthday

The love you have for your family is outstanding. Watching you interact with loved ones just makes me smile . You are so comfortable and you are yourself. I see the way you smile when you are around family and I wish I could see you smile like this everyday. You love with all your heart and this quality is something I wished I possessed.

You inspire me to be the best version of myself. I look up to you. I feel that more people should strive to have the strength and passion that you exemplify in everyday life.You may be stubborn at points but when you really need help you let others in, which shows strength in itself. I have never been more proud to know someone and to call someone my role model. You have taught me so many things and I want to thank you. Thank you for inspiring me in life. Thank you for making me want to be a better person.

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life..

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Don't freak out

This is a rule you should continue to follow no matter what you do in life, but is especially helpful in this situation.

Email the professor

Around this time, professors are getting flooded with requests from students wanting to get into full classes. This doesn't mean you shouldn't burden them with your email; it means they are expecting interested students to email them. Send a short, concise message telling them that you are interested in the class and ask if there would be any chance for you to get in.

Attend the first class

Often, the advice professors will give you when they reply to your email is to attend the first class. The first class isn't the most important class in terms of what will be taught. However, attending the first class means you are serious about taking the course and aren't going to give up on it.

Keep attending class

Every student is in the same position as you are. They registered for more classes than they want to take and are "shopping." For the first couple of weeks, you can drop or add classes as you please, which means that classes that were once full will have spaces. If you keep attending class and keep up with assignments, odds are that you will have priority. Professors give preference to people who need the class for a major and then from higher to lower class year (senior to freshman).

Have a backup plan

For two weeks, or until I find out whether I get into my waitlisted class, I will be attending more than the usual number of classes. This is so that if I don't get into my waitlisted class, I won't have a credit shortage and I won't have to fall back in my backup class. Chances are that enough people will drop the class, especially if it is very difficult like computer science, and you will have a chance. In popular classes like art and psychology, odds are you probably won't get in, so prepare for that.

Remember that everything works out at the end

Life is full of surprises. So what if you didn't get into the class you wanted? Your life obviously has something else in store for you. It's your job to make sure you make the best out of what you have.

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12 Effective “Why This College?” Essay Examples

What’s covered.

• Essay 1: UPenn Nursing
• Essay 2: UPenn
• Essay 3: UW Madison
• Essay 4: Northwestern
• Essay 5: NYU
• Essay 6: NYU
• Essay 7: Boston University
• Essay 8: Boston University
• Essay 9: Tufts
• Essay 10: Tufts
• Essay 11: Georgia Tech
• Essay 12: Georgia Tech

Where to Get Your Essays Edited

The “ Why This College?” essay is one of the most common supplemental prompts. These school-specific essays help colleges understand if you’re a good fit for them, and if they’re a good fit for you.

In this post, we’ll share 12 “Why This College?” essay examples from real students and explain what they did well, and what could be improved. Read these examples to understand how to write a strong supplemental essay that improves your chances of acceptance.

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized.

Essay Example #1: UPenn Nursing

Prompt: How will you explore your intellectual and academic interests at the University of Pennsylvania? Please answer this question given the specific undergraduate school to which you are applying (650 words).

Sister Simone Roach, a theorist of nursing ethics, said, “caring is the human mode of being.” I have long been inspired by Sister Roach’s Five C’s of Caring: commitment, conscience, competence, compassion, and confidence. Penn both embraces and fosters these values through a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum and unmatched access to service and volunteer opportunities.

COMMITMENT. Reading through the activities that Penn Quakers devote their time to (in addition to academics!) felt like drinking from a firehose in the best possible way. As a prospective nursing student with interests outside of my major, I value this level of flexibility. I plan to leverage Penn’s liberal arts curriculum to gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges LGBT people face, especially regarding healthcare access. Through courses like “Interactional Processes with LGBT Individuals” and volunteering at the Mazzoni Center for outreach, I hope to learn how to better support the Penn LGBT community as well as my family and friends, including my cousin, who came out as trans last year.

CONSCIENCE. As one of the first people in my family to attend a four-year university, I wanted a school that promoted a sense of moral responsibility among its students. At Penn, professors challenge their students to question and recreate their own set of morals by sparking thought- provoking, open-minded discussions. I can imagine myself advocating for universal healthcare in courses such as “Health Care Reform & Future of American Health System” and debating its merits with my peers. Studying in an environment where students confidently voice their opinions – conservative or liberal – will push me to question and strengthen my value system.

COMPETENCE. Two aspects that drew my attention to Penn’s BSN program were its high-quality research opportunities and hands-on nursing projects. Through its Office of Nursing Research, Penn connects students to faculty members who share similar research interests. As I volunteered at a nursing home in high school, I hope to work with Dr. Carthon to improve the quality of care for senior citizens. Seniors, especially minorities, face serious barriers to healthcare that I want to resolve. Additionally, Penn’s unique use of simulations to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application impressed me. Using computerized manikins that mimic human responses, classes in Penn’s nursing program allow students to apply their emergency medical skills in a mass casualty simulation and monitor their actions afterward through a video system. Participating in this activity will help me identify my strengths and areas for improvement regarding crisis management and medical care in a controlled yet realistic setting. Research opportunities and simulations will develop my skills even before I interact with patients.

COMPASSION. I value giving back through community service, and I have a particular interest in Penn’s Community Champions and Nursing Students For Sexual & Reproductive Health (NSRH). As a four-year volunteer health educator, I hope to continue this work as a Community Champions member. I am excited to collaborate with medical students to teach fourth and fifth graders in the city about cardiology or lead a chair dance class for the elders at the LIFE Center. Furthermore, as a feminist who firmly believes in women’s abortion rights, I’d like to join NSRH in order to advocate for women’s health on campus. At Penn, I can work with like-minded people to make a meaningful difference.

CONFIDENCE. All of the Quakers that I have met possess one defining trait: confidence. Each student summarized their experiences at Penn as challenging but fulfilling. Although I expect my coursework to push me, from my conversations with current Quakers I know it will help me to be far more effective in my career.

The Five C’s of Caring are important heuristics for nursing, but they also provide insight into how I want to approach my time in college. I am eager to engage with these principles both as a nurse and as a Penn Quaker, and I can’t wait to start.

What the Essay Did Well

This essay has many positive aspects, but the most impressive one is the structure. Utilizing the Five C’s of Caring to discuss Penn’s offerings was a genius way of tying in this student’s passion for nursing while also making their essay exciting and easy to read. Beginning each paragraph with the respective adjective helped focus the paragraph and allowed the student to demonstrate how they exemplify each quality without explicitly stating it. The student wasn’t afraid to think outside the box and add creativity to their essay structure, which really paid off.

Another positive is how specific and specialized the Penn resources and opportunities the student mentions are. This essay did not fall into the trap of name-dropping professors or programs. In every paragraph, there was a connection to something the student wants to do at Penn to further themselves in the respective characteristic they were describing.

Not only did this student mention a resource at Penn—whether it was a professor, a class, or a club—in every paragraph, but they elaborated on what that resource was and how it would help them achieve their goal of becoming a nurse. The what and how is what sets this essay apart from other supplements that just name-drop resources for the sake of it. The amount of detail this essay went into about some of these resources makes it clear to the admissions officers reading the essay that this student has seriously looked into Penn and has a strong desire to come to campus and use these resources.

What Could Be Improved

One thing this essay could do to make it stronger is improve the first paragraph. The student does a good job of setting up Sister Roach and the Five C’s, but they don’t mention anything about their desire to study or pursue nursing. The first paragraph mentions both Sister Roach and Penn, but left out the student. This could be fixed by simply adding something along the lines of “I can’t wait to embody these values as a nursing student at Penn” to the paragraph.

Essay Example #2: UPenn

Prompt: Considering the specific undergraduate school you have selected, how will you explore your academic and intellectual interests at the University of Pennsylvania?  For students applying to the coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, please answer these questions in regard to your single-degree school choice; your interest in the coordinated dual-degree or specialized program may be addressed through the program-specific essay. (300-450 words)

I always loved watching the worms when it rained. I used to put my little raincoat on, sit on the doorsteps, and watch them move toward the puddles. My younger brother, forever intent on destroying the world around him, would try to stomp on the worms, and I would run after him screaming. In my imagination, the brain looked like a pile of squiggly worms. However, my neuroscience curiosity has since grown beyond a worm’s habits.

For example, my mother thought that I was insane when I wanted to watch American Murder: The Family Next Door . To her immense relief, I was interested in the psychology of the criminal rather than the crime itself. Although neuroscience is my primary interest, I also hope to learn more about the intersection between law and medicine at the UPenn College of Arts and Sciences. I’ve been able to explore this topic through various projects at school such as presentations on juvenile crime and the death penalty.

At the University of Pennsylvania, I look forward to taking classes like Forensic Neuroscience (BIBB 050) as well as Neuroscience and Society (PSYC 247) both of which directly combine my two interests. Hopefully, the Take Your Professor to Dinner program resumes as I would make sure to talk to Dr. Daniel Langleben about his research on forensic functional brain imaging over a meal of Philly cheesesteaks.

I also hope to participate in the Race, Science, and Society Program where I can discover how race biases and neuroscience go hand-in-hand and contribute to the fight against racism. The Beyond Arrests: Re-Thinking Systematic-Oppression Group immediately caught my attention while looking at Penn’s opportunities to engage in relevant dialogue. My fascination with the criminal system began with reading Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment , and Penn will both fuel that curiosity as well as introduce new questions about the world of justice reform.

As an eight-year Latin scholar and a five-time reader of the Percy Jackson franchise, I would like to take classes in the Penn Classical Studies department where I can learn more about the impact of ancient cultures on society today. Classes such as Greek and Roman Medicine (CLST 271) would intersect my interests in medicine and classical civilizations.

Although I do harbor a deep love for Philly cheesesteaks and enjoyment of running in strange places like the Woodlands Cemetery, the range of programs to support my diverse interests and unmatched opportunities to put learning into action make me confident that the University of Pennsylvania is the best university for me to succeed.

The real strength in the essay lies in the sheer number of details this student is able to include in a short space, without sacrificing style and flow. The first two paragraphs really have nothing to do with Penn, but the inclusion of them makes this response feel like an essay, rather than a list of offerings at Penn. Striking the balance is important, and the anecdote at the beginning ultimately humanizes the writer.

From the three unique courses to the specific professor and his research to the race and criminal justice programs, this student has clearly done their homework on Penn! The key to this essay’s success isn’t just mentioning the offerings at Penn that excite the student, but the context that explains how each opportunity fits into the student’s academic interests.

Adding book titles like Crime and Punishment and Percy Jackson to support their passion for the criminal justice system and classics are extra details that help us learn more about how this student pursues their passions outside of the classroom. Finding little ways to humanize yourself throughout the essay can take it from good to great.

One area of improvement for this essay is the structure. It follows a very traditional “ Why This College? ” framework—start with an anecdote, then discuss classes, and then extracurriculars and programs—that gets old quickly for admissions officers.

A great way to add some spice to the format would be to use a sample schedule for the day. This essay mentions three different classes, two different groups, and a Take Your Professor to Dinner opportunity. Together, that’s the recipe for a full day at UPenn!

There are a few ways to play around with an essay that follows a typical day-in-the-life. Maybe each paragraph starts with a time and explains what they do during that hour. Maybe they narrate walking through campus on their way from one class to the next and what they just learned. However they choose to go about it, adding in a playful spin to the traditional essay structure is one of the best ways to instantly set an essay apart from the crowd. 

Essay Example #3: UW Madison

Prompt: Tell us why you decided to apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest. (650 words)

Essay – # Day 117

7:30 am… As I open my eyes, I look at the pinboard in front of my bed. Written in red block letters are two of the many goals of my life: “Make life better and more independent for the Visually impaired; Inspire kids to explore the field of STEM, making them the future problem solvers.“

Keeping these goals afresh in mind, I freshen up and prepare for the first class of the day, ​ECE 533 Image Processing. As the professor explains the Applications of Image Processing in Computer Vision, a light bulb sparks in my mind. I can modify the head contraption of PERIPHIS to identify objects in peripheral vision and alert the wearer via an earpiece using Text to Speech (TTS). 

After the class, I see Professor Mohit Gupta at the WISION Lab, where he shares his insights from the Block World Cameras system, which helps to geometrize 3D Man-made environments. We brainstorm ways we can implement this system on PERIPHIS.

Deep in the discussion and intrigued by my curiosity, he asked me where my interest in this niche field sparked during high school, and then I recount the incident from 9th grade: 

“In Hindi – Agar aaj mere paas paise hote to ye din na dekhna padta” (If I had money, I would not have had to see this day.) 

These were the words of Aadiya, a glaucoma patient, who couldn’t help but cry in despair as she injured herself in an accident just because she couldn’t sense the incoming traffic. During my visit to “Baroda Association for Blind (BAB)” for a survey, I saw and experienced firsthand how hard and inaccessible it is for an underprivileged visually impaired to locomote without anyone’s assistance. 

What happened next was my first adventure into the world of Computer Science and Engineering. I dedicated the next four years to find an affordable solution to a pressing problem. It was called PERIPHIS, a smart wearable that helps alert the visually impaired wearer of impending danger while locomoting.

When I finally presented this device to Aadiya, the smile on her face made me realize how big an impact technology can make in one’s life.

11:00 am… As I head to the Engineering Hall to complete my assignments of COMP SCI 570

Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction, I crossways with my roommate from the Chadbourne Residential College, who is also interested in researching applications of Computer Vision in real life. We fix a time to chat later. 

1:20pm… After a quick bite, I head to Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory. I expand my knowledge on different applications of Computer Science to make human life better than I found. I get fascinated when I see a few students building a child-friendly humanoid robot to teach kids the principles of Coding and AI. I hop in and share insights from my experience of being the President at AiGoLearning and kindling interest in STEM for young children. I explain how crucial the UI is when it comes to technology for the young.

5:00pm… To blow off some steam and socialize, I meet up with my fellow countrymen and artists at the Indian Graduate Students’ Association. We discuss and plan the upcoming Diwali Night Music at Shannon Hall. I feel proud to share my national identity while bringing out my musical self by contributing as a Tabla player at the student organization. 

As I close my day, I reflect and think of the most unique resource at UW. It is not the labs, research facilities, classes, but the people, including the professors and students, all aligned to a single goal: “Solving problems to make society a better place.”

10:00pm… I find my way back to my dorm room and write with red block letters on my pinboard: “Meet with at least 1 Badger every day and gain new insight from them.”

This essay is a stellar example. The day in the life formatting is a common way to spice up your “Why This College?” essay, but the way this writer executes it is nearly flawless.

Opening with the vision board makes the student’s college goals clear from the very start, and this was cleverly done since vision boards are naturally one of the first things you see when you wake up.

The student then takes us to specific courses and labs and shares their thoughts on how they could improve their invention, PERIPHIS. The author seamlessly includes background information on PERIPHIS by including this hypothetical conversation with a professor who speaks their native language.

As we go through the day, we can see that this student will not only be involved academically, but also socially. We learn how important their culture is to them and how they plan to share it with the campus community.

This essay does everything a “Why This College?” essay should: it shares the student’s goals and motivations behind them, how the university can support those goals, and how the student will engage with the campus beyond academics.

There’s not much this essay could improve, besides a few formatting and wording issues. The first line of this essay—“ Essay – # Day 117”—is a great attention-grabber, but the placement of the # symbol is confusing and perhaps should’ve been in front of the number.

There are also a couple spots where wording is a bit awkward, such as these lines:

I crossways with my roommate from the Chadbourne Residential College, who is also interested in researching applications of Computer Vision in real life. We fix a time to chat later. 

It should instead say something like “I run into my roommate” and “We schedule a time”. This is likely due to English not being the student’s native language, but could’ve easily been caught by proofreading from a native speaker.

Essay Example #4: Northwestern

Prompt: While other parts of your application give us a sense of who you are, we are also excited to hear more about how you see yourself engaging with the larger Northwestern community.

In 300 words or less, help us understand how you might engage specific resources, opportunities, and/or communities here. We are curious about what these specifics are, as well as how they may enrich your time at Northwestern and beyond.

For as long as I can remember, I have seen my parents, both farmers, struggling to produce food because of the challenges presented by the environment. Joining Northwestern’s community, and majoring in Environmental Engineering, will allow me to understand what are the reasons behind climate change and learn how to stop them and/or prevent them from happening. 

Having witnessed how plant diseases affect crops, I would like to collaborate in the PLANT-Dx project and in its widespread application. I strongly believe that it will be able to help farmers to improve the quality and quantity of their production, and reduce famine around the world. At some point in my education, I want to take advantage of the study-abroad programs Northwestern has to offer and learn about farming practices in a different part of the world. In addition, I want to conduct research on sustainable alternative farming methods that adapt to the new environmental conditions and that can be practiced in countries with fewer resources.

Apart from having access to outstanding professors, rigorous academics, and cutting-edge research resources, I will be able to be part of a close-knit community genuinely curious about others’ activities, truly passionate about what they do, and not afraid to step out of their comfort zone to make of this world a better place. Being part of Engineers for a Sustainable World at Northwestern will allow me to get to know people that share one of my passions in addition to learning and teaching how to apply sustainable practices in daily life.  

I am already looking forward to marching through the Weber Arch.

This essay is extremely cohesive, as it focuses on the student’s agricultural background and desire to study environmental engineering. The student mentions a couple resources specific to Northwestern, such as the PLANT-Dx project and Engineers for a Sustainable World.

Because of the background information the student provided, their motivations for participating in these opportunities is also clear. We can see that Northwestern would be a school that would help them achieve their goals.

There are two main aspects of the essay that could be improved: the writing and its specificity.

To begin with, the intro paragraph is a bit clunky and vague.  The student should have specified the challenges the environment has presented to their parents’ farming with detailed imagery about droughts or torrential rain. The final sentence about climate change is also much too broad, and the student should’ve stated a goal in a smaller niche of environmentalism.

For example, here’s what a rewritten strong intro paragraph might look like:

The drought this year was bad, and the once-flourishing tomato crops on my family’s farm were afflicted with Southern Blight. As my family and our community struggled to put food on the table for the third year in a year, I resolved to major in Environmental Engineering at Northwestern to learn how to preserve our agriculture in the face of climate change.

Another writing error is the typo in the final paragraph, where they write “to make of this world a better place”. It’s important to proofread your essay and have others help you proofread as well!

Finally, while the essay mentions a couple specific Northwestern resources, the other resources they mention are too vague.  The student could’ve improved by mentioning a specific study abroad program and a current research project on sustainable alternative farming methods. Most colleges let you study abroad and conduct research, so you need to explain why Northwestern is the best place for your goals.

Essay Example #5: NYU

Prompt: We would like to know more about your interest in NYU. What motivated you to apply to NYU? Why have you applied or expressed interest in a particular campus, school, college, program, and or area of study? If you have applied to more than one, please also tell us why you are interested in these additional areas of study or campuses. We want to understand – Why NYU? (400 words)

“A futuristic way of looking at academics,” the student panelist said during a New York University virtual information session. I reflected on a conversation I had with my grandma; she couldn’t understand how her vegetarian granddaughter could build a career in the food industry. However much I tried convincing her that vegetarianism was the future, as it offers substantial benefits to the environment and can offer health benefits to a growing population with the same environmental resources, she insisted that tofu would never provide the same satiation as meat. She was raised in a community where meat consumption was embedded in the culture, and its production is a large part of the country’s economy. In contrast, I had the privilege of living a few steps from San Francisco, with many restaurants and grocery stores dedicated to plant-based meat alternatives. Trying innovative recipes and products eventually allowed me to develop my own recipes. Upon my move to Nicaragua, where my grandmother is from, I found my food options to be limited, expensive and hard to find. So I developed my own small-scale solutions that did not break the bank and satiated grandma.

An institution that implements forward-thinking is what I need to reach my goals of changing the future of plant-based diets and people’s views on vegetarianism. NYU’s Nutrition and Food Studies program offers multiple disciplines of food studies that I will apply to my aspirations as a vegetarian. I plan to study under Adjunct Faculty Kayleen St. John, whose success in the plant-based industry and her teaching of the ‘Foundations of Plant-Based Nutrition’ in The Vegetarian Times excites me. The variety of classes like Introduction to Food History, Food Photography, and Food Systems: Food & Agriculture will give me an overview of what is available in the food industry to be prepared for all fields. Not to be cliche, but NYU’s proximity to the city is essential for the rapidly changing vegetarian industry. The multiculturalism available in NYC and NYU will allow me to understand the food system and diets of various cultures, religions, and areas. I can explore the extremes of the food industry, from fancy restaurants to public school cafeterias. These juxtapositions, much like the one I experienced after my move to Nicaragua, will allow me to broaden my reach and demonstrate that the vegetarian diet is not something reserved for select groups but a diet attainable to all. 

A core strength of this essay is the fact it takes its time to provide the reader with ample background on why this student is interested in nutrition and food studies and how they have grappled with difficult questions and surrounding this topic in the past. It’s okay to not mention anything about NYU for a whole paragraph if you are using that space to bring depth to your interests and tell the reader the crucial backstory behind pursuing your intended degree.

Another positive aspect is the inclusion of New York City for a purposeful reason. NYU admissions officers read thousands of essays that just talk about living in NYC for the sake of NYC—this is not what they want to hear. In contrast, this essay focuses on the vast and lively food scene in New York that the student considers to be an invaluable asset to her NYU education. This is a time where including New York actually plays to the appeal of NYU, rather than making it seem like the student is simply applying for the city.

Finally, this student clearly demonstrates that they are someone who wants to change the world for the better, but through their personal niche. NYU is looking for people who express this desire to be a changemaker, but oftentimes sweeping statements like “I want to change the world” come across as vague and disingenuous. The essay does mention changing diets and looking to the future, but it is focused within the student’s specific area of interest, making the claim to change the world more determined and authentic.

This essay could be made stronger if there was a bit more personal reflection included. The first paragraph provides a lot of details on the student’s vegetarianism and how it conflicts with her grandmother and her heritage. What it doesn’t include very much of is how the student thinks and feels about her diet being at odds with that of her family. 

Does this student feel they are betraying their heritage by being vegetarian? What emotions do they feel when people criticize vegetarianism? Why did they go vegetarian in the first place? Probing questions like these that get to the emotional core behind the story in the first paragraph would really help to build out this student’s backstory. We want to understand what their emotional responses and reasoning processes look like, so finding ways to include those into an already expositive paragraph would further bolster this essay.

Essay Example #6: NYU

My mother never takes off her Cartier necklace that my father gave her 10 years ago on their anniversary. As a child, I didn’t fully understand this attachment. However, on my 15th birthday, my aunt gifted me a ring, which was uniquely designed and made up of three rings linked together. Wearing it every day and making sure I would never lose it, I didn’t treat it like my easily replaceable childhood necklaces; it was my piece of luxury. This sparked my deep curiosity for the luxury world. The niche strives to provide the finest and most memorable experiences, as equally as my Japanese attention to detail and my French appreciation towards aesthetic beauty. In a constantly shifting environment, I learned that luxury chases timeless excellence.

NYU Stern’s BS in business and a co-concentration in management and marketing will fully immerse me in the business side of luxury fashion that I aim to pursue a future career in. The luxury marketing track, offered only by NYU, will enable me to assemble the most suited classes to reflect my interests. Specifically, NYU Stern’s exciting electives such as The Dynamics of the Fashion Industry seminar and Brand Strategy & Planning will encourage me to develop the skills that I was introduced to and grew keen on when running a virtual sustainable fashion auction.

As someone who has moved around from Paris to Tokyo, to Chicago and now Athens, I thrive in meeting and collaborating with others from diverse backgrounds. The school’s strong global outlook, demonstrated through Stern’s International Business Exchange Program, further sets NYU apart for me, as it is crucial to building essential soft skills. This opportunity allows me to experience new cultural approaches to luxury business which I can bring back with me to New York, and therefore push me to become a well-rounded business student. Similarly, I am excited to take part in the array of student clubs offered, such as the Luxury and Retail Association (LARA), which I learned about after connecting with and talking to current students. Seeing past talks from employers of companies like Conde Nast, I am eager to learn outside of the classroom from future speakers. 

Finding myself in new situations constantly, I always seek new challenges and explorations – to me, it is clear that NYU Stern will push me to create the finest and most unique learning experiences of timeless excellence.

This essay has an amazing introduction paragraph. It doesn’t mention anything about NYU or what this student is planning on studying, which is what makes it so intriguing. The reader doesn’t know where this student is headed after making such a seemingly unrelated statement about jewelry, but we want to find out. 

Not only does this essay immediately capture the reader’s attention, it maintains a succinct and direct tone that helps the reader effortlessly flow from one paragraph to the next. The student chose to include three opportunities at NYU that excite them and fully elaborate on them. This serves as an excellent example of more is less. 

We aren’t bombarded with a laundry list of classes, professors, and clubs the student wants to take. Instead, the student took a focused approach and described why they were excited by each offering they highlighted. Going deeper into a smaller number of opportunities at the college still shows this student did their research, but it allows for their backstory and goals to be discussed in far greater detail.

While this student does a good job of elaborating, they also mention a few key aspects of their personality as throw-away lines, when it would have been great to elaborate further on them. For example, they mention running a virtual sustainable fashion auction (cool!), but don’t provide us with any details on what that actually entails, how they got involved with it, what they enjoyed about it, etc. They also mention moving around a lot in the context of developing a diverse perspective, but they don’t include any emotional insight into what that was like.

Although there are only 400 words available, and you don’t want to spend too much time discussing the past, it would be nice to see just a sentence or two that delves into the details of this student’s background. The fashion auction and moving around clearly had an impact on the student, so we want to know what that was. If they are choosing to include these details, they must be important in the student’s decision to pursue business at NYU, so they shouldn’t be afraid to divulge the emotional significance to the reader.

Essay Example #7: Boston University

Prompt: In no more than 250 words, please tell us why BU is a good fit for you and what specifically has led you to apply for admission.

Boston University’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) attracts me because of its support of interdisciplinary study among its wide array of majors. In fact, the CAS now offers a course that combines biology, chemistry, and neuroscience. As I hope to conduct medical research into brain disorders, I plan to pursue all three areas of study. These cross-disciplinary connections at BU will prepare me to do so.

CAS’s undergraduate research program would allow me to work with a mentor, such as Dr. Alice Cronin-Golomb or Dr. Robert M.G. Reinhart related to their research on neurological disorders. With them, I can advance the work I have already completed related to Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). In a summer class at our local university, my partner and I extracted data from fMRI and PET studies and inputted them into a coding program. We then created an indicator map, which we imported into another software program, AFNI, to display significant activity in the brain regions affected by DID. Seeing the representation of our data thrilled me because I knew it could eventually help people who live with DID. I want to experience that feeling again. Successfully analyzing these fMRI and PET studies and learning to code drives me to pursue more research opportunities, and this desire motivates me to study at a university that offers research opportunities to undergraduates. BU’s interdisciplinary approach to psychology and support for independent undergraduate research will optimally prepare me for a career as a neurological researcher.

This student clearly outlines BU-specific resources (the interdisciplinary course and undergrad research program), plus how these resources align with their professional goals (to become a neurological researcher). They do name professors, but since their work clearly relates to the student’s interests, it doesn’t look disingenuous, and shows that the student has done research on their fit with BU. The student also provides background on why they want to pursue research, and shows that they already have experience, which makes their interest in the undergrad research program more concrete.

The only thing missing from this essay is the student’s fit with BU in terms of extracurriculars and social life. “Why This College?” essays should also cover extracurriculars, as colleges are also interested in how you’ll contribute to their community. 

In general, these essays should be academic-leaning (especially if they’re under 250 words), but you should still address some social aspects of the college that appeal to you (we recommend about 70% academics, 30% social, with more or less focus on social aspects depending on the word count). 

Since the student probably already detailed their previous research in their Common App activities section, they could’ve just summarized their research background in one sentence (instead of 78 words, which is 31% of the total word count!), and used that valuable space to talk about a specific social aspect of BU that interests them. 

Essay Example #8: Boston University

Prompt: In no more than 250 words, please tell us why BU is a good fit for you and what specifically has led you to apply for admission. 

I am fascinated by research, though completely uninterested in the disciplines traditionally associated with it, such as STEM fields. I need to find a school that will balance my desire to conduct research with my interest in political science. 

While many schools boast in-depth student research programs for those looking to cure diseases or develop solutions to global warming, few tout their support for humanities research. Additionally, many universities that do allocate funding to social science research typically reserve these monies for graduate students or upperclassmen. BU, with the help of its Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, will allow me to conduct research on the topics that most intrigue me, such as gender disparity in politics, or the relationship between dominant parties in power and the country’s economy and involvement in foreign affairs. Furthermore, I can begin these studies as early as my first year. Not only can I take classes with professors like Sandra McEvoy or Dino Christenson to develop my interests in a classroom setting, but I could also work with one of them to develop new knowledge in the topics that we both enjoy learning about. With this knowledge base and experience conducting studies with top professors in a respected research institution, I will be well-prepared for my future law career. I want to learn in an environment that encourages independent study no matter one’s field of interest or experience, and BU’s support of intellectual curiosity for all of its students makes it a perfect fit for me.

This student knows exactly what they want, and they’re not afraid to state it bluntly. Their intro paragraph is totally honest about their interests (or lack of interest), and we immediately understand one of their main college goals: to conduct political science research.

The student mentions a specific resource, the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, as well as an alignment with BU’s value of encouraging independent study in all fields. Showing alignment with a specific value of the university is a great way to take your essay to the next level.

This essay shows us that the student would be a great fit for BU and would take advantage of its research opportunities.

The writer mentions some of their research interests, but doesn’t explain the motivation behind them. We don’t actually learn very much about the student themself, which is a common flaw of “Why This College?” essays. The essay would’ve been stronger if they’d explained why they’re interested in “gender disparity in politics, or the relationship between dominant parties in power and the country’s economy and involvement in foreign affairs.” For example, maybe they feel strongly about abortion rights and are upset about the way men have been legislating women’s rights.

The student also names two professors whose classes they’d like to take and with whom they’d like to do research, but we aren’t told which classes they’re interested in, or which topics they could cover together. You want to avoid “name-dropping” professors without context in your essay. If the student shared the names of specific classes or research topics and why they’re interested in them, that would’ve strengthened their essay.

Essay Example #9: Tufts

Prompt: Why Tufts? (100 words) 

When Deanne, Tufts’ admissions counselor, visited my school, she immediately caught my attention by emphasizing Tufts’ diverse yet unified campus. Tufts’ inclusive definition of diversity goes beyond merely recruiting students from a variety of backgrounds. Tufts seeks to integrate these categories of diversity and pushes its students to learn from one another. One such intersectional program that attracts me is CAFE (Conversation, Action, Faith, and Education). By joining CAFE, a community that promotes interfaith education, I will learn from my peers, become more understanding of other religious backgrounds, and apply this broader understanding to my academic work at Tufts.

It’s hard to write a “Why This College?” essay in 100 words. This essay does a good job sticking to one unique element of Tufts—its intersectionality. Since Tufts also cares about demonstrated interest, it’s great that the student also mentioned speaking with an admissions counselor. 

We unfortunately don’t learn very much about the student from this essay. Why do they care about diversity and interfaith programs? How does this relate to their academic and career goals? While the word count is super short, they could’ve cut these lines and jumped right into the specific resource they’re interested in: Tufts’ inclusive definition of diversity goes beyond merely recruiting students from a variety of backgrounds. Tufts seeks to integrate these categories of diversity and pushes its students to learn from one another.

Here’s an example of a stronger version of this essay:

When a Tufts admissions counselor visited my school, she immediately caught my attention by emphasizing Tufts’ diverse yet unified campus. As a Muslim hoping to go into International Relations, I want to attend a school that not only recruits diverse students, but pushes them to learn from one another. I hope to join intersectional programs such as CAFE (Conversation, Action, Faith, and Education). By joining this community that promotes interfaith education, I will gain the necessary perspective and compassion to become a human rights lawyer in countries with religious conflict, such as my homeland Azerbaijan.

Essay Example #10: Tufts

Prompt: Why Tufts? (100 words)

Someday I hope to conduct medical research in developing countries; Tufts attracts me because of its wide array of majors it offers and support for undergraduate research. To understand the human brain, I hope to study biology, neuroscience, and psychology. In addition to outstanding faculty in each of these areas, Tufts also organizes initiatives including the International Research Program. Through this program, I would work with other students and faculty members on an international project related to brain diseases. This opportunity will give me a taste of my future career and help me narrow the scope of my later studies.

This essay does a better job of sharing the student’s goals with us compared to the previous Tufts essay. We learn that the applicant is interested in medical research in developing countries on brain diseases, and that Tufts has a program to support international research.

The essay still mentions some resources that could apply to many schools, which is not an effective use of the tiny word count. For example, they say: “Tufts attracts me because of its wide array of majors it offers and support for undergraduate research” and they mention the “outstanding faculty” in the fields they plan to study.

They also don’t tell us their motivation behind studying brain diseases abroad, and it feels like there’s a significant story there. Giving some background would’ve further strengthened their essay.

Finally, they mention that they still need to narrow the scope of their studies; while it’s fine to be undecided on your career and majors, you don’t need to spend your precious word count saying that in your essay. They could’ve instead shared a couple potential avenues they’re considering.

Here’s what the student could’ve written instead:

Outcomes for schizophrenia patients are better in developing countries than in developed ones. I hope to research the reasons behind this and improve the treatment options in the US for the cousin I grew up with. In college, I want to study biology, neuroscience, and psychology. Tufts attracts me because of its unique interdisciplinary BS in Cognitive and Brain Science and its International Research Program. Through this program, I could do the research I’ve dreamt of doing with a faculty member and other students, preparing me for my future career as either a researcher or clinician.

Essay Example #11: Georgia Tech

Prompt: Why do you want to study your chosen major specifically at Georgia Tech? (300 words)

Climate change is a human rights issue.  

There the headline was, screaming on my phone screen. I think about those suffering from a lack of clean water. I think about those suffering from a lack of clean air. 

I often think back to that headline – it’s what drives my passion for environmental engineering. As an environmental engineer, I can mitigate air pollution and design water treatment systems that address the water injustices that people face. However, it’s not just about creating a technology that cleans water; it’s about changing people’s lives. New technologies can make a lasting difference in humanitarian issues worldwide; Georgia Tech’s research on creating a toilet that turns human waste into clean water for those in need of improved sanitation aligns perfectly with my interests.   

At Georgia Tech, through the student-led organization, Engineers for a Sustainable World and the InVenture Prize, I can translate the knowledge gained from my classes into a concrete vision. I can design and implement hands-on sustainability projects around Atlanta and invent a water sanitation system for the on-site acquisition of clean water. 

Georgia Tech can also provide me with ample research opportunities, such as the broad area of Healthy Communities in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. I can further pursue my interest in developing solutions to deliver clean water while welcoming new areas of inquiry. An area I would like to explore would be the controlling of dangerous matter in the air to reduce health hazards; reducing the impact of climate change is of utmost importance to me. 

Studying environmental engineering at Georgia Tech would well prepare me to develop solutions to climate-related issues. With the countless opportunities that Georgia Tech has to offer, I know there is nowhere else where I can receive a better environmental engineering education.

What the Essay Did Well l

This essay begins with an attention-grabbing statement that leaves the reader wondering how this will relate to the student’s interest in Georgia Tech. They then transition seamlessly into how climate change and human rights motivate their desire to become an environmental engineer.

The student mentions several resources specific to Georgia Tech that would help them achieve their goals, such as the research on the toilet turning waste into water, Engineers for a Sustainable World, InVenture Prize, and Healthy Communities research. It’s clear that they did their research and have reflected on their fit with the campus community.

They end the essay explicitly stating that Georgia Tech is the best place for them to grow, and the reader is certainly convinced of this by the end.

This essay is quite strong, so there’s not much that the student could’ve improved. That said, there is one sentence that is a bit awkwardly worded: New technologies can make a lasting difference in humanitarian issues worldwide; Georgia Tech’s research on creating a toilet that turns human waste into clean water for those in need of improved sanitation aligns perfectly with my interests.

Instead, the student could’ve written:

New technologies can make a lasting difference in humanitarian issues worldwide; Georgia Tech aligns with this value of mine and is even developing a toilet that turns human waste into clean water for those who need improved sanitation.

Essay Example #12: Georgia Tech

From my first Java project, a somewhat primitive graphing calculator, I realized that CS unlocks a different way of thinking. My brain races at speeds it seldom touches with other subjects. Every part of CS, from conceptualizing a plan to executing a solution, is another piece of a puzzle I’m eager to solve and affords the most opportunities for creative problem-solving and application. 

“Progress and Service,” Georgia Tech’s motto, tells me there’s no better place to explore my curiosity and deepen my CS skills while simultaneously helping make the world a better place, my ultimate goal for a college education. 

In the classroom, I look forward to GT’s threads program, where I can tailor the curriculum to suit my career choice after exposing myself to all technical aspects of CS.

I’ll apply my specialized learning with Tech’s fascinating research opportunities. Professor Pandarinth’s brain-machine interfacing software means a lot to me. My uncle passed away from a freak accident after extensive paralysis because potential treatments were unaffordable. Exploring this revolutionary brain decoding software wouldn’t just involve me in cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology research, I’d be personally driven to ensure its success and accessibility. 

I’m at my best building towards tangible results. I learned this on my robotics team using design skills to create a technically complex robot that tackles anything from shooting balls to hanging on a balance beam. I’m excited to expand my skills on the RoboJackets team, applying my career interests to build ferocious BattleBots and autonomous race robots that compete on the Indy Speedway, two events that sound ridiculously fun. 

Of course, I can’t skip hackathons. These competitions molded my interest in coding so I want to give back to Georgia Tech’s Hack-Community by planning HackGT and the Catalyst Mentorship program as a member of the Hexlabs team. 

The student’s passion for CS shines through this essay. They explain what they love about the subject (the problem-solving aspect) and they share that they hope to make a difference through CS, demonstrating alignment with Tech’s motto of  “progress and service”.

It’s clear that this student has done their research, mentioning specific academic programs, research, and clubs. We can see that they’d be greatly engaged with the campus community.

Finally, this essay is also down-to-earth. The student doesn’t try to use impressive vocabulary or formal language. In fact, they even describe some extracurriculars as “ridiculously fun.” While you shouldn’t get too informal in your essays, this student’s casual tone in this context makes them feel more approachable and more excited about the prospect of going to Georgia Tech.

This essay has a couple sentences that are confusing to read:

Every part of CS, from conceptualizing a plan to executing a solution, is another piece of a puzzle I’m eager to solve and affords the most opportunities for creative problem-solving and application.

This sentence could’ve been broken up and rewritten as:

Every part of CS, from conceptualizing a plan to executing a solution, is another piece of a puzzle I’m eager to solve. For me, the field affords the most opportunities for creative problem-solving and application.

This sentence also uses incorrect grammar—the comma should be replaced with a semicolon:

Exploring this revolutionary brain decoding software wouldn’t just involve me in cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology research, I’d be personally driven to ensure its success and accessibility. 

These details would make the essay more readable.

The organization of the essay could also be reworked. The student mentions Tech’s motto of “progress and service,” but doesn’t follow up until later with an example of how they’d use CS for the greater good. Using CS for social good isn’t ultimately the theme of their essay, so this section would’ve been better placed at the end of the paragraph about AI technology research, or at the very end of the essay. The essay actually ends abruptly, so placing the section at the end might’ve tied it up nicely, if the student could’ve placed more emphasis on how they plan to use CS to improve society.

Do you want feedback on your “Why This College” essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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