(top engineering school + good atmosphere) Why The Ohio State University?

Why are you interested in The Ohio State University? (300 words max)

A few years ago I had no idea what I wanted to study in college or where I wanted to go. I always had Ohio State in mind primarily because my sister had been going there for a few years then, and I visited her at least twice every month, so I quickly grew to love the campus and atmosphere there. Curious to find out what Ohio State had to offer one day, I did a little research and quickly found that one of the fields they were best known for is engineering. After more research, I realized that engineering was the perfect field for me. It combined my passion for math and science, applied it to the real world, and was also so diverse that I was sure to find a field that fit me. With this in mind I took classes that were directed towards engineering, such as computer, chemistry, and physics, and, after having excelling in all of them, I can confidently say now that I want to continue my study in engineering.

Now as my high school career is coming to an end, I must put thought into where I would like to continue this study, and what better school than Ohio State. Ohio State is continually ranked among the top engineering schools in the nation and the top engineering school in Ohio. I feel that an environment like this can push me to excel academically and help me become the best I can be. The engineering program at Ohio State fits my needs perfectly, because as a freshman, I can become knowledgeable in the different fields of engineering, so that I can choose to continue in a field that I can be successful at and enjoy.

(291 words)

This sentence serves no purpose. All it does is establish you as perhaps less deserving than a student who has been planning for many years to enter a particular field.

I think you should begin your essay here:
I realized that engineering was the perfect field for me. It combined my passion for math and science, applied it to the real world, and was also so diverse that I was sure to find a field that fit me. With this in mind I took classes that were directed towards...

Omit everything that comes before this part.

And after this part, find at least 1 or 2 examples of characteristics that make this school a better choice for you than other schools. This essay makes you seem too thoughtless... as though you just happen upon a career and a college. Show them the critical thinking you used to choose a college. How does this school compare to your second-choice school?

:-)