<p>i plan on writing about how i think i sacrificed a lot in terms of what I want in a college when I chose a politically-oriented school in the heart of DC (GWU). I feel that as a chemistry/pre-med major, this school is not a right fit for me; as i see my friends applying to internships at the White House and in the Senate, I don't feel my academic route is taking advantage of this school's best feature. I want to gain some of those things that I sacrificed like a better pre-med program, a traditional campus in terms of being able to go outside and study on a bench instead of a sidewalk, and I want the whole school pride element of having everyone going to a football game and tailgating for hours before the game. </p>
<p>I also feel like going to a school like Boston College rather than a GWU will get me some better networking as I really don't see myself living in the Mid-Atlantic for longer than my college career.</p>
<p>those are fine, but you should focus on more academic reasons as well (and make most of your transfer essay about academic reasons then the rest as add-ons)</p>
<p>Sounds like a complete mess; you should retake freshman composition. Right now, it sounds like this - “my friends’ success is my failure” and “I am concerned about academics, but I want school with more football games.” You should stop inventing contrived reasons why you want to transfer. If you’re after academics, you should write about academics. If you’re after football games, you should buy the season tickets instead of going to college.</p>
<p>haha lets keep this civil guys drek’thar has a point and knows what he is talking about. however, i belive bosoxnm3 had a valid point as well. </p>
<p>bosoxnm3 I believe you should take the route that you crave more opportunities as a pre-med student such as more access to research or volunteering at a hosptial. Do not mention you friends interests and their endeavors, as this after all is about you.</p>
<p>location is a valid reason in my opinion for transferring. if Harvard was located in the middle of a dry desert then I do not think as many would apply to it.</p>
<p>the need for school pride is valid in my opinion, and I think you can incorperate that but it would be a very weak reason on its own. Take ironically’s advice and focus on academic reasons but add location to it, school pride, etc and make it as strong as iron. Prove your point.</p>
<p>These are very simple questions - why do you want to transfer? What is there at BC that you cannot get at GWU? Can you prove/show that you really need what you claim you need? Is what you claim you need a good reason to let you in as a transfer student?</p>
<p>You should ask yourself these questions and be honest with yourself because what you write here is an incoherent mess.</p>
<p>Here are good examples of “why transfer”:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>An applicant with a 3.9 GPA: I want to transfer from GWU to MIT because I want to be more challenged academically. I already know I can do well at GWU with relatively little effort. So, I hope that transferring to MIT will push my limits because I know that when it comes to natural sciences, MIT is the best school a person can dream to attend.</p></li>
<li><p>An applicant from a large uni to a LAC: I want to transfer from GWU to Oberlin because I want smaller classes where I can interact with professors and my fellow students on a daily basis. This interaction is important to me, because I tend to learn more when I communicate with a professor face-to-face. At GWU it is difficult to achieve because classes are huge and professors have limited time to give to any given student.</p></li>
<li><p>An applicant who wants collegiate sports: Academically, I am perfectly happy at GWU, and I am sure I will be as happy at USC. However, I am a huge fan of USC Trojans. I have been to every game in the last two years. The happiest day of my life was when I held my breath watching how USC won the Rose Bowl against Notre Dame. Honestly, my life as a sports fan would be much easier if I were a student at USC.</p></li>
<li><p>An applicant whose home is in Texas: When I was enrolling to GWU, I didn’t think that family was so important for me. But my parents are getting old, and I try to spend as much time with them as possible. Every weekend, I find myself on a plane from DC to Houston. I spend the weekend with my family and head back to DC late on sunday. Recently, it occured to me that I should just transfer to Rice because my house is within three miles from the campus.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>You also have to realize, that not every reason is a good one.</p>
<p>For example, that you are unhappy “socially” at GWU is your fault, and not GWU’s. If you couldn’t find friends among ten people, that may be understandable. But if you cannot find friends or cannot become a part of the community at GWU, the problem is probably you and not GWU.</p>
<p>Likewise, if you have 3.5 GPA, you shouldn’t argue that you are not academically challenged at your school, because you are.</p>
<p>I don’t think the ideas are bad. Depending on how you state your case, of course. GWU is obviously an unusual place and you found it’s not for you, for the reasons you give. The school spirit thing is valid. If that was your main reason, I’d tell you to leave it alone. But the folks at BC will have the school spirit, so they should understand it as one reason, just not the big one.</p>
<p>Bottom line, you have good sensible reasons. Sometimes 3 good reasons are better than 6 half-assed ones, though. Figure out the ones that are strongest and work on them.</p>
drek’thar has a point and knows what he is talking about. however, i belive bosoxnm3 had a valid point as well. 
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