Journaling Club Essay #7 Notes & Prompt

Prompt: Why do you want to go to college or university?

For a degree, obviously! However, in today’s day and age where you can get a degree online, take a gap year (or 5!), or skip formal education entirely, why do you want to continue your education specifically at certain schools. Forget prestige, the job market, and the Studygram pages for a while- write about what you genuinely think you will get out of higher education and why you want to attend.

Mark Twain was a steamboat pilot. Agatha Christie was a nurse. Robert Frost was a light bulb filament changer. The best writers do not only write beautifully, but also integrate their personal experiences and knowledge outside the world of literature. By combining the study of literature, media and perhaps law, I believe the University of Michigan will provide the education necessary for me to evolve as a journalist.

A journalist cannot reach the peak of his craft if his knowledge of literature and critical thinking skills are weak, which is why I’m excited to explore what the Department of English has to offer. I look forward to courses such as Academic Argumentation and Professional Writing, as I believe these will provide me with a firm basis in journalistic writing technique and improve my abilities to write analytically and develop well-supported arguments. Furthermore, the Professional Writing course will teach me how to write in a concise, straightforward style, a skill vital to a journalist.

At The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, I will be able to apply the skills learned in class with media studies in and beyond the classroom. The Honors Program provides an opportunity for independent research into the field of mass media, which will allow for intensive group studies and in-depth research opportunities, and the superb networking opportunity provides the chance to meet and engage with prominent figures in media-related studies, which will provide a deeper insight and knowledge into the field. Outside the classroom, I can see myself writing scripts for the student-run television station WOLV-TV, or composing headlines for The Michigan Daily.

And although journalism is the path I’m currently on, I want to remain open to other opportunities I may encounter at UM. The Pre-Law Advising Program is interesting because I want to explore the intricacies of law and policies that govern this world. I believe that the judicial role of a lawyer is closely related to the expository skills of a writer, and I look forward to exploring this new field of study that wasn’t offered in my high school education.

But all these are what UM has to offer me. I realize that, as a member of the UM community, I’ll want to give back as well. The various volunteer programs offered by Volunteers Involved Every Week appeals to me, as does the possibility of volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Michigan, as I have previous experience with elementary school teaching. And as an international student, I know the pains of learning English as a second language. I believe I can contribute to the ESL teaching program either at UM or abroad, and see this as an opportunity to have an impact not only at UM, but in Washtenaw County and beyond.

Tip: This author does a strong job of describing their goals for university life and beyond, while using prior experiences to make those goals feel credible. It is great to talk about new things you want to try in a “Why This School” essay, but each new interest should still feel connected to your skills, experiences, or larger direction.

Notice the progression throughout the essay: prior experience → intellectual curiosity → specific university opportunity → future impact. Their interest in journalism connects naturally to English, media studies, law, and service, making the essay feel focused while still showing openness to growth. A strong “Why This School” essay should not simply list courses, clubs, or programs, but explain how each opportunity fits into the student’s larger story.

In your own essay, choose specific opportunities that connect to who you already are, what you hope to explore, and how you want to contribute once you arrive on campus.

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