Common App Transfer Essay

<p>So, I wrote the 250 word personal statement essay for the common app, though I'm not exactly sure if it's supposed to be a really personal essay or one that just generally explains why I want to transfer. I know my personal statement last year was a lot different than this one. It talked about my life, goals, etc in a form of a personal anecdote like most college essays. Here is a rough draft, that I think is a little bit too formal. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Let me know if it sucks, I won't be offended.</p>

<p>As a current student at one of the largest universities in the country, I have become acquainted with an academic atmosphere that lacks a strong sense of community because of its size. Despite the endless academic opportunities a large university provides to its students, I feel that these opportunities do not cater to my specific needs. A smaller college would promote a form of learning that is based on cooperation with others, which in turn would help foster my own personal growth and feed my intellectual curiosity. Smaller class sizes would enable me to develop a close relationship with professors and fellow students that I could not achieve in classes with two hundred or more students.
In addition, my intended major (Cinema Studies) requires an interdisciplinary curriculum that my current institution does not directly offer. Separate colleges hinder me from taking a class in the visual arts or one in communications because those are reserved for the students in that particular college. These colleges prepare a student for a specific career path that they intend to pursue, however I personally value an enriched academic experience over one based on preparation for a career. Thus a broad liberal arts curriculum, although may not prepare me for a specific job, does provide me the necessary analytical and critical thinking skills that would serve invaluable to any employer. The freedom to take a class in any subject without limitation could only be granted at a college that centers on a liberal arts curriculum.</p>

<p>250 word minimum, not maximum. You need more specifics and personal touches.</p>

<p>oh ha, wow thanks. Should actually read the directions next time!</p>

<p>yea i know when I was writing that essay I misread it at first too and spent hours figuring out how to express myself in less than 250 words. I read through my app one last time to make sure everything was good and then I noticed the minimum part. Very tricky, they should highlight it or something.</p>