<p>I am a current undergraduate at a fantastic college . . . with one of the most expensive tuition prices and worst financial aid centers in the nation. Were it not for this, I would not be looking to transfer right now, but I don't know if declaring in my essay that "I need money" (in of course more eloquent terms) would make my application look rather petty. Should I discuss my financial situation in my common app essay, or try and come up with different reasons for desiring to transfer?</p>
<p>You know that you’ve got to transfer because of the money situation, but your reasons for choosing each institution on your list are probably academic ones, or fit. That is the angle you should shoot for.</p>
<p>Yes the common app is convenient, but if the places on your list have their own applications available, you might want to use those because it will be easier to tweak your essay a bit better for each of them.</p>