<p>I plan to transfer from a liberal arts college to a big engineering school. I am not sure how to compose a nice transfer essay because there is a big difference between a liberal arts major and an engineering major. Can anybody provide me some tips about what should I mention in the essay to justify my decision?</p>
<p>Well, let's start with the actual reason you have come to choose Engineering at this point. A course you took? An interest you had once wanted to pursue but tried the liberal arts and don't want to keep on with it? ... Whatever. That is the place to start. If you tell a little bit more about what is inspiring you to change, we can better help.</p>
<p>You can still stay at a LAC and do very well. One of the Claremont colleges is very strong in engineering ( I think Grinell?) and Bucknell has very strong undergrad engineering programs.</p>
<p>As far as advice, I wish I could give you some but I'm struggling with practically the same issue because I changed my prospective major from molecular biology to BME and I wouldn't want to misguide you!</p>
<p>Here is the fact. I have always been interested in science technology. However, when I graduate from HS, I figured that I need to more humanity courses. Later, I realize a liberal arts college is too small and does not possess the capacity to offer many cutting-edge research opportunities.</p>
<p>Hm...Don't a lot of them have 3/2 programs? Have you looked into that?</p>
<p>ccTranser10: It is true that we have 3/2 programs. But I discover a disadvantage, that is, I would miss many chances of high-level research opportunities and working on project teams in the first three years. Engineering schools have many exciting project teams that students can get hands-on experience.</p>
<p>Ohh alright. Well I feel like you know enough about it to justify it in the essay. I think you will be fine :)</p>
<p>Grinell is in the midwest; the Claremont Colleges are in California. Perhaps cctransfer10 is thinking of Harvey Mudd (post #3).</p>
<p>To the OP: I think that your posts #5 and (especially) #7 are a good basis for your Why Transfer essay.</p>
<p>It is also important that you have the right coursework under your belt for an Engineering transfer. I hope that you have already started on the Physics/Calc/Chem or Bio/Computer Programming basics. If not, you should be doing that asap. Transferring into Engineering programs without those is extremely tough.</p>
<p>Andale is right. I should elaborate on issues on posts #5 and #7.</p>
<p>And as Andale mentions the importance of course preparation, I have a concern. By the end of spring semester, I will have had 2 phy (modern phy and electronics), 2 math (calculus 2 and linear algebra). Now I am wondering to which one to take, a chemistry course or a computer science class if I apply for EE?</p>
<p>And whichever I choose,I still cannot meet all the requirement, lacking either chemistry or computer. So do I need tell them about my special situation?</p>
<p>I'm not sure about that, AspiriN. </p>
<p>If I were you, I'd check the various schools you're thinking of... see what their freshman curricula are. I recall that my S had both Chem and CProgramming before he transferred... but the school he transferred to had most EE students taking the Chem in soph year. I don't think it will be a big issue.</p>
<p>But you might contact the school(s) you'd most like to enter and see what their advice is on which to choose.</p>