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?