My primary reasons for transferring is the lack of an intellectual environment at my large state school in terms of intellectual conversations outside the classroom and the large lecture-style courses. I am content with the professors and research available here. How do I convey my reasons for transferring without sounding negative or weakening my reasons for transferring since the research and professors here are fine? I also do not want to sound like I am pretentious compared to the rest of the student body. I read that transfer essays are supposed to focus what the new school can provide rather than what was wrong with your old school, but I thought that I would talk more about that in the specific supplements.
what I mean is that my reasons don’t sound specifically academic in terms of relating to my major, but cultural because of the lack of an intellectual environment
Easy – instead of writing “my current college and its students don’t challenge me academically,” focus on the other school by writing something like “I am interested in _____ college because of its dedication to intellectual growth, the rigor of ______ program, and the opportunity to meet other students who will challenge my views and help me grow, etc.” Be very specific and be able to point out ways in which you know their school does offer that.