Four months ago, I knew nothing about Northwestern University. It was only when I started my college research that I came across NU. I was looking for a US university that has one of the best industrial engineering programs in the country and at the same time gives financial aid to international students
For me, I would never write this in my essay.
i am also an international student, and although I must agree that financial aid is one of the most important factor that we, international students, usually consider when choosing universities; it is not the way to put it in your essay.
the reader will certainly ask : why don't you consider Cornell? it also gives aids, and its engineering is the one of the best, too. or maybe MIT?
that is not the unique quality that an university can have.
they expect you to come up with things such as: culture, location, diversity, strong programs, some well-known alumni..