Look at the following prompts from some of this year’s supplements to the Common Application:

“…explain why you have chosen Carnegie Mellon?”

“Tell us how you will utilize the academic programs in the College of Arts and Sciences [Cornell University]?”

“Write about subjects and learning situations that interest you most, and how you intend to use your autonomy here [University of Rochester]?”

 They are all asking pretty much the same question:  What do you expect to gain by attending our school?