Last year when I was applying to transfer, I got into a pretty well known school on the east coast but turned it down. I am now planning on transferring again, this time actually wanting to go to this school. Should I not use the same common app and supplemental essay that I used last year even if it helped me to get in? If I shouldn’t then is it ok if I change them around a little bit so that i’m essentially saying the same thing? Thoughts?
This is a really interesting question. I would personally say err on the side of caution and submit a new essay. I think admissions people might remember it and count it against you. And remember, applying to this school again is a new experience from the last time you applied and there is such thing as plagiarizing your work (which is basically like you reusing a paper you’ve already written for one subject). Just write a new essay. If you don’t want to do the work, then you probably shouldn’t be applying to the school…
Well, it would imply that you haven’t experienced a whole lot of growth in the past year.
I wouldn’t “change them around a little bit.” I would write brand new essays.
You also need to ask whether you must send a full application, or if you can simply reactivate that application and/or offer of admission. It is possible that only grades and LORs need to be updated.
@happymomof1 Are you talking about asking readmission without having to reapply again? Like, automatically getting in? Is this possible, and if so, how likely is this? If this is what you’re talking about, would you recommend calling up the school and asking them this question ?
Yes. Call up the school. Let them know that you are interested in applying again for transfer admission. Ask what you need to do. Different places have different policies. In some cases a file just gets re-opened and very little is needed. In others the entire process must be gone through again. One question you should be prepared for is why you didn’t come this year after you were admitted, and what has changed in your life that makes you certain you want to come now.
@unsurecollegekid Someone told me that I should express many of the same sentiments that got me in before because I’d be mad if I changed focus and didn’t get in. Would you suggest keeping the general gist of what I said in my previous essay(s) the same and essentially re-word the reasons as to why I wanna go? Because they are important and good reasons.
@bjkmom Someone told me that I should express many of the same sentiments that got me in before because I’d be mad if I changed focus and didn’t get in. Would you suggest keeping the general gist of what I said in my previous essay(s) the same and essentially re-word the reasons as to why I wanna go? Because they are important and good reasons.
@happymomof1 Have you ever heard of this working out before? I tried emailing them before and they said I had to start a new application and apply again. I still intend on calling them though and asking because I don’t really have anything to lose by doing so.
@marmot_sherpa - Since you emailed them and they said you needed to start a new application, then you pretty much have your answer. What you can ask them is whether or not they still have your test scores and high school transcript (if needed for application) on file. It is possible that you could be asked to resend those materials as part of the new application.