<p>I mean it's obvious that one can't just say "I don't like my school" or "I want a better academic reputation". </p>
<p>For those who have transferred or are planning to, what are the best reasons to transfer to impress adcoms?</p>
<p>Because I can only get an associates at my school. ::shrugs::</p>
<p>I don’t know if this is impressive, but not being able to afford your current school? Trying to find your niche at a different kind of university? Trying to get a different (perhaps more competitive) atmosphere?</p>
<p>Be sure to focus on the positives of your new school, not the negatives of the old one.</p>
<p>Mine were Cornell’s unique ILR curriculum, diversity, sense of tradition and pride, love for learning.</p>
<p>the program at my current university does not match my current education interests, and XYZ University’s department has classes that interest me.</p>
<p>(the communications department at my old school was just based on mass media, while i wanted a popular culture/media studies based program.)</p>
<p>I’m going to bump this thread because this is a pretty good question.</p>
<p>i don’t think this is a good question. it’s asking someone to give you content for your “why transfer” essay. if you don’t have a real reason, then you’re probably just looking for a school with a better-sounding name. no one should have to give you your reasons to transfer. if you have a real reason (or better yet, reasons), then this should come naturally.</p>
<p>Lagsy’s comment on “Be sure to focus on the positives of your new school, not the negatives of the old one.”…</p>
<p>Absolutely right. But you should most definitely use the negatives of your old one for motivation to work your ass off. Let it fuel that fire, and drive to transfer out. But whatever you do, do not let the admissions see that your putting your school down in an immature way.</p>
<p>@ Ironically</p>
<p>It’s a good question in the sense that most transfer hopefuls usually apply to different schools in order to achieve a higher education from a more renown and prestigious university (which is really the only reason one would need if coming from a community college or tier 4 university). This thread could serve as a basis for stating that in one’s essay more eloquently as opposed to just saying “I hate my school” or something along those lines. </p>
<p>That’s just my two cents, though.</p>
<p>i see your point. it’s definitely vaild, i just don’t understand how we can all throw in generic ideas and make someone understand what or how to write. of course the idea is to move up and gain something by transferring, but there should be real reasons. meaning, don’t just apply to ivies and pretend that you’re not looking for prestige. the OP said “best reasons to impress adcoms”. that doesn’t strike me as someone who’s sincerely looking to better themselves; more just someone who wants to be fed a good essay that adcoms will like.</p>
<p>Ok, I see what you’re saying. Maybe the OP is a little misled on the subject of transferring, but this thread could possibly be beneficial to those who are more sincere and simply can’t articulate a convincing argument and need a list of do’s and do not’s on transfer essays (this is of course assuming that one of the posters in this thread goes in depth)</p>
<p>Oh calm down and get off your high horse. What do you think CC is for? We’re all here to ask questions and get advice. I’m applying to some incredibly competitive schools and, I want my application to stand out. I don’t think that’s a bad thing and, I’m not going to apologize for asking the hard questions. I’m just asking the question that everybody is too afraid to ask but wants to know. I’m serious about this and that’s why I came here to get advice not criticism.</p>
<p>then i hope you get the help you want. best of luck.</p>
<p>yeah my school was a CC and i only got an AA. but i do know a bunch of kids who wanted to transfer because they couldnt feel comfortable in their current academic setting, didnt have the major they found themselves looking for, weren’t challenging enough, blah blah</p>
<p>you get the point</p>
<p>
Why again can’t you say this? As long as you’re tactful, articulate, and honest, these are both good reasons to transfer, assuming of course you have the skills to back them up.</p>
<p>I suggest making a table that compares and contrasts the pros of your current school to your intended schools. This helped me gather all relevant information I needed to write my essays. I did not bother to mention any cons of my former school in fear that I would sound to negative.</p>
<p>on my essay for transfer to usc, i made sure to list things that usc is known for…
like i said i wanted to be part of the big student community, mentioned the trojan family, and my major… + the possibilities USC gave me in my particular field(neuroscience, aiming for med school)… </p>
<p>at the end i even wrote, that i wanted to go to a school that i could feel at home at, and whose colors i could wear proudly. a school that i could in time contribute to and recommend for others.</p>