<p>I have decided to transfer away from my current college and I am struggling with my Common App "Why transfer" essay.</p>
<p>I dislike my current institution because I feel like the college tries to lump all of the students together as part of their "community mentality" and forgets the individual needs and interests of students. Additionally, I have felt a huge culture shock. I am attending a college in the south, and I am a 100% Northeast girl. I really don't like the religious influence on campus and the traditionally gender roles (what is appropriate for a woman and what is not).</p>
<p>I am happy with the education I have received thus far, but I am looking for a college closer to the Northeast with a more open curriculum interested in the advancement of individuals.</p>
<p>I plan on applying to Brown (although I only have a 3.6 so I doubt I will be accepted. Does anyone have any recommendations about where else to apply? Also, can anyone recommend a way to structure this essay? Thank you!</p>
<p>Hi there! I’m a sophomore at W&M at the moment. I just saw this post and wanted to reach out to you real quick, feel free to shoot me a pm if you’d like to discuss your experiences Yeah, W&M and Brown have entirely different cultures, but there’s some really great things about W&M as well. I’m also from the Northeast, and so far, I’ve made some of the best friends of my life at W&M and had some times I wouldn’t trade for the world. I’m not sure if there’s anything I can say to dissuade you from transferring, but again, please feel free to pm me if you’d like to chat.</p>
<p>I get where you’re coming from completely! I am trying to transfer from Auburn University (a VERY southern school) to the University of Michigan. What I’m doing with my essay is trying to avoid the negatives as much as possible. For example, rather than putting down your old school, praise the one to which you would like to be admitted (maybe not by name, but the specific qualities you like about that school). Talk about how you want to be somewhere that is progressive and has a diverse and open minded culture (something that many southern schools lack). Universities want students who are a good fit for their campus. Find out which schools have a culture you’d be more comfortable with in the northeast and write your essay that way. From one southern captive to another, good luck! :)</p>
<p>@Lifestorm - Thank you for the kind words, but I really hate William and Mary and I am incredibly unhappy there. There’s a reason why the school has the 3rd highest suicide rate, and now I know why.</p>
Yeah, W&M and Brown have entirely different cultures, but there’s some really great things about W&M as well. I’m also from the Northeast, and so far, I’ve made some of the best friends of my life at W&M and had some times I wouldn’t trade for the world. I’m not sure if there’s anything I can say to dissuade you from transferring, but again, please feel free to pm me if you’d like to chat.</p>