I get questions all the time. Here’s a popular one I receive from parents…
Q: What can we do to prepare for a “Why” essay?
A: A few things…1) Visit the school for either and official or unofficial visit. Spend an entire day there, visit everything. Take notes. The applicant should think of themselves as a student on the visit. 2) Do the research. And not just on the website. There are so many resources now. An article written in the NY Times about the school, a new facility, etc, will give an unbiased look. 3) Find as many current and former students you can and ask them about their experiences there.
This is a start. But applicants I have worked with who’ve written stellar “Why” essays often know the school better than anyone. That shows. It makes a difference.