Your Epic Consulting - The “Why Us” Essay Workshop

Making colleges feel like they’re your #1 choice

Who am I

• UCLA undergrad → USC M.Ed grad
• Ex UC Berkeley admissions & students services
• “I coach students to avoid ‘college-pleasing’ andshowcase authenticity through story-telling”

I was a “college-pleaser”

• Did activities to “look good” for college
• Putting on this act was draining and unfulfilling
• In addition to being inauthentic I didn’t get into my top choice: UC Berkeley

“College-pleasing” continued

• I chose UCLA for its prestige rather than fit
• I struggled to adjust academically and socially
• I felt lost while emulating the paths of my peers

My “Why”

• I founded Your Epic Consulting so students don't have to walk my challenging path
• Most college coaches just revise for better essays, I help them grow by telling better STORIES
• Past students I’ve worked with have been accepted to Cornell, Duke, Brown, Amherst, UC Berkeley, UCLA & USC

Why the “why us”?

• Colleges fill big portion of first-year class with early action (~20%) or decision (~40%)
• The “Why Us” essay shows “demonstrated interest”
• While also giving students a chance to share their future vision at the school

Key Components

• Clear signs of introspection and growth over time (show vs tell)
• Specific and intentional research on school (beyond the surface)
• The So What: how does your story relate to how you will show up on campus?

Show vs tell

• Should describe more than just what happened (recap of your life)
• Includes thoughts, feelings, setbacks, and reflections on what you learned
• Tip: think about how you actually experienced events and start there

A. "During tennis practice, I realized my serve needed improvement.

"B. "The ball hit the net with a disappointing thud. I adjusted my stance, tossing the ball higher, feeling tension in my shoulders and mind. What if I mess up again? Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself: I’d missed hundreds of serves before, learned from each one, and kept going. I used to lose most of my matches, but last year, I won the league championship through sheer persistence. Pride in my journey surged through me, and I regained the confidence to follow my coach’s advice: focus on the follow-through. This time, the ball sailed over the net, reminding me that tennis is more than just technique—it’s about self-compassion and trusting all that I’ve built within myself.”

Specific School Research

• Should be unique/distinct to the school
• Rather than generally applicable to hundreds or thousands of colleges
• Tip: if you find most of your reasons for liking a school are fun facts from their marketing brochures - dig deeper!

A. "I want to attend Stanford because I am excited for all amazing professors I will learn from which will allow me to solve society’s biggest challenges.”

B. "I am excited to attend Stanford because I have always dreamed about working in software engineering at a tech company and the school is located right in the middle of Silicon Valley.”

C. “As I pursue my passion for technology, I am drawn to Stanford’s unique resources and its close ties to Silicon Valley. I am particularly excited about Professor Mehran Sahami’s course on Ethical and Social Issues in Computing, where I can explore the ethical challenges of AI and algorithmic bias. His commitment to using technology for positive societal impact aligns with my goal of building tools that make a difference in people’s lives.

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The “So What”

• How does your personal story relate to who you will be at Stanford/Cornell/etc
• Combine your reflections with specific opportunities found only at this school
• Admission officers are trying to assess your potential based on your character, interests and trajectory

A. "I am interested in joining Harvard’s chess club because of my experience as captain of my high school’s chess team and look forward to competing against even stronger opponents.”

B. "In my small hometown, I often felt isolated in my love for chess, so I founded my high school’s chess club to build a community for others like me. As I coached new players, I discovered the joy of creating a space where passion could grow. Yet, with few seasoned players around, my progress has plateaued. Harvard’s commitment to outreach and its vibrant Boston chess scene—with grandmasters and lifelong players—offers the challenge and inspiration I need. By joining this community, I hope to not only advance my skills but also give back through Harvard’s outreach programs, bringing my journey full circle.”

Book a free consultation today!
Email feiyang@yourepic.consulting