By this point in application season, you are most likely intimately familiar with the dreaded “why this college” essay. As a result, I’ve already covered the biggest mistake you can make: copying and pasting the same essay for each college. If you think it’s as easy as substituting College Name 1 with College Name 2, you’re mistaken. In fact, just because it’s a shorter supplement doesn’t mean you should leave it for last. The “Why this college?” supplement is actually one of the hardest essays to answer.

If you’ve already tried my “why this college” essay tips and are still feeling stuck, here are a few journaling and research questions I give my students to discover the deeper reasons for wanting to attend each school without descending into generic cliches. This is based on MIT Engineering but try it with any of the schools you’re struggling with.

1. What does MIT have that no other university does?

2. What about its engineering program is unique compared to all the other engineering schools?

3. What makes MIT engineers different from any other student?

4. How do MIT engineers see the world compared to other engineering students?

5. How does the culture at MIT seem different from everywhere else?

6. How do the opportunities, class structure, or education style seem different from everywhere else?

7. Which professors and classes are you excited to take and why?

8. What aspects of MIT appeal most to you?

9. What are your goals with this major?

10. How will you make use of specific resources and opportunities here?