I am trying to transfer and I deciding which of the following reasons is good for the applications

Transfer Students
1

Hey there! I hope everyone is having a great day! I am trying to transfer to another school and I am writing application right now. I was wondering which of the reasons why I want to transfer should come across in my essays and general application

  • My current university is not academically challenging
  • My current university is in the middle of nowhere
  • I want to do research with a particular faculty member at the university I want to transfer to
  • The second university has a more agreeable climate and is in a city
  • The second university has a good alumni network
  • The second university has good faculty (current and retired) that includes of accomplished people in my field
  • The second university is much more prestigious
2

Please note that I intentionally kept things general

3

Why not use the real reason you want to transfer?

4

You don’t get into another school for complaining about the present one. And say it’s too rural or you don’t like the climate will likely backfire. Imagine: “I want to change to warmer weather.” Sheesh. Telling them it’s their rep? Bad move. Etc. So I think you may be pulling our legs. What makes you right for the new school is not that you chose poorly, the first go 'round.

5

Imagining some responses to your list of ‘reasons’…

“There are challenging options at pretty much all of the top X00 colleges in the US- why aren’t you challenging yourself?”

“Not our problem” “LOL you knew those things when you applied to Current U”

“So do lots of people- why should s/he want to do research with you?”

“So? lots of colleges have that” “So, you want to come here to use us as your personal LinkedIn?”

(probably the most honest of the reasons you list…and one of the most frequent reasons that students want to transfer from PerfectlyGood U to FancierName U)

“Lots of students want to wear our sweatshirt- what’s so special about you”

6

If there is a specific academic reason, then state that. Started at a place with no Modern Greek, just Classical? Then yup, you have an excellent reason to apply to a place that offers Modern Greek.

7

Common honest reasons:

  • Currently at a community college and need to transfer to a four year college to finish a BA/BS.
  • Need to transfer to a lower cost college.
  • Need to transfer because major is not available or does not allow internal transfers.

Do any of these apply to you?

8

^ And you’ve done your due diligence, know the new targets well, and can show your match. You’re trying to show them why they should take you, not just what you want or need.