Why U.S. Universities Ask for So Many Essays, and What They Reveal
If you’re applying to universities in the United States as an international student, you’ve probably noticed something strange: “Why are there so many essays?”
Compared to application systems in the U.K., Canada or most national systems, the U.S. process can feel deeply personal, and a bit overwhelming. From the Common Application personal statement to school-specific writing supplements (like USC’s), essays are a defining part of your application.
But they’re not random. There’s a reason U.S. schools ask for them, and a reason why your voice matters just as much as your grades.
Let’s break it down.
It’s Not a Test. It’s a Window.
U.S. universities don’t rely on just one exam or metric to make admission decisions. We use holistic review, which means we look at your academic preparation and who you are as a person. Essays help us understand what motivates you, what matters to you and how you think.
At USC, for example, we want to know more than what subjects you’ve studied; we want to know how you approach challenges, what you’re curious about and how you hope to engage with the world around you. We’re building a community, not just a class, and your essays are how we hear your story.
We Know You’re More Than a Transcript.
For international students especially, transcripts and exam systems vary widely. Your grades may be based on national exams, internal coursework, predicted scores or school-specific assessments. While we’re well-trained to evaluate each system in context, these academic documents don’t always capture your personality, creativity or lived experiences.
Essays let you fill in those gaps. Maybe your curriculum doesn’t leave much room for personal expression. Maybe your strongest qualities don’t show up in test scores. That’s where the essay helps you shine. It’s your chance to show us what the numbers can’t.
Why So Many Essays?
Each prompt serves a different purpose. The Common App personal statement is a space for reflection; it tells us about your background, identity or a meaningful experience. Your USC short-answer questions help us get to know your academic interests and how you might fit into our campus culture.
We’re not looking for perfection. We’re looking for honesty, thoughtfulness and your voice. The reason there are multiple essays isn’t to test you; it’s to give you more opportunities to show us different sides of yourself.
Your Interests Might Change, and That’s Okay.
In many countries, once you apply to a specific major or academic track, it can be difficult, or nearly impossible to switch without starting over. At USC and many U.S. universities, we understand that students grow, change and discover new passions during college. That’s why we build flexibility into the curriculum and encourage students to explore a range of subjects before officially declaring a major.
Essays help us understand not just what you want to study, but why, and how open you are to evolving academically. Maybe you’re applying for engineering but also love music. Maybe you're interested in business but curious about psychology. That’s not a problem; it’s actually quite normal! And that’s also why we’re looking for students who will actively contribute to our greater community—not just within their program of study, but across campus. We want students who learn from each other as much as they learn from our faculty. Hopefully, we’ll learn something from you, too.
What We Learn from Your Essays (That We Can’t Learn Anywhere Else).
Here’s what essays often reveal that no test or transcript can:
Your voice – Are you reflective? Curious? Humble? Thoughtful?
Your values – What do you care about? How do you spend your time?
Your perspective – How do your experiences shape the way you see the world?
Your fit – Why do you want to study what you’ve chosen? Why here?
You don’t need a dramatic life story. You just need to speak sincerely. If you’re funny, be funny. If you’re serious, that’s okay too. The best essays sound like they were written by the real you... not by someone trying to impress a committee with big words and vague ideas, not by adults, and definitely not by AI.
Final Thoughts
We ask for essays not because we want to make the process harder, but because we want to make it more human. In a world full of transcripts, scores and statistics, your story matters.
So, take a deep breath. Write in your own words. And remember that this part of the application isn’t just about impressing us, it’s about introducing yourself to a place that might become your next home.
We can’t wait to meet you!
Written by: Tyler Swartout - International Admission Officer