Using the ‘What, So What, Now What’ Model to Write University Applications
When applying to university, you only get one shot to make an excellent first impression. For the 2022 admissions cycle, your grades are only a small piece of the puzzle- your personal profile plays a significant role in getting into your dream program. Schools like the University of Toronto, UBC, and McGill have all indicated an increasing focus on the short answer and essay portion of your application.
Adapted from the Liberating Structure ‘What, So What, Now What’, I encourage my clients to focus on three steps to write a stand-out university application.
‘What’
In the ‘what’ phase of the strategy, you explain the nuts and bolts of your extracurricular activity, be it volunteer, athletic, or job position. For example,
‘I was a first-string middle hitter on my high school’s volleyball team for four consecutive years.’
‘From 2020-2022, I served as the Co-Chair of the Middleton Highschool Leadership Team.’
‘I am employed by my local library and have been working in their youth outreach program for six years.’
The focus here is a clear, concise, and direct explanation of the role you held. Don’t worry too much about getting the wording exactly right at first- you’ll be able to go back and edit once you’ve completed the next two steps.
‘So What’
The real magic of this approach happens in the ‘so what’ phase. This is where you connect the ‘what’ to how you developed as a person as a result of the experience. For example,
‘I was a first-string middle hitter on my high school’s volleyball team for four consecutive years. Beyond my athletic growth, I enjoyed developing as a team member. Coach Marcus taught us the importance of conflict resolution and of always supporting our teammates, win or lose.’
‘From 2020-2022, I served as the Co-Chair of the Middleton Highschool Leadership Team. In particular, I observed the value of building community- I’m deeply thankful to have gained a people-first perspective fueled by finding common ground.’
‘I am employed by my local library and have been working in their youth outreach program for six years. During this time, I was fortunate to work directly with 8-12-year-olds on their reading skills, especially those who come from single-parent families. I found myself becoming a more empathetic person, and am thankful for the opportunity to reflect on why I’m passionate about literacy rates.’
In the ‘so what’ phase, you contextualize your experiences into how they impacted your growth as a person. Remember, universities want to admit well-rounded students to their programs- take this opportunity to highlight the personal development you gained from your extracurriculars.
‘So What’
If you’re applying to a degree/program in which you have relevant experience, take this model a step further by adding a ‘so what’ phase to your extracurriculars. For example,
‘I was a first-string middle hitter on my high school’s volleyball team for four consecutive years. Beyond my athletic growth, I enjoyed developing as a team member. Coach Marcus taught us the importance of conflict resolution and of always supporting our teammates, win or lose. This experience inspired me to prusue a degree in kineseology, with the intention of additional coursework in team building. I am passionate about building strong, cohesive teams where everyone can thrive.’
‘From 2020-2022, I served as the Co-Chair of the Middleton Highschool Leadership Team. In particular, I observed the value of building community- I’m deeply thankful to have gained a people-first perspective fueled by finding common ground. I am keen to study history so I can better understand the role individuals play within a global context.’
‘I am employed by my local library and have been working in their youth outreach program for six years. During this time, I was fortunate to work directly with 8-12-year-olds on their reading skills, especially those who come from single-parent families. I found myself becoming a more empathetic person, and am thankful for the opportunity to reflect on why I’m passionate about literacy rates. My time in this role lead me to an undergraduate degree in linguistics, where I am interested in research opportunies on childrens’ literacy.’
Takeaways
You can elevate your university application by using the ‘What, So What, Now What’ model in your personal profile. By clearly explaining the extracurricular, connecting it to your personal growth, and extending towards your future academic studies, you make yourself a stronger candidate for admission to your dream degree!
