Why do I need to write it?

Two reasons:

  1. College Policy - A degree plan and its accompanying rationale essay are two products required of all ESC students, as part of the 4 credits of educational planning that ESC requires.
  2. College Practice - A college assessment committee, which approves degrees, needs to understand the reasoning behind your choices for your degree.  Your rationale essay provides your reasons and research, proving that you have a personally-useful and educationally-valid degree.