So I’m planning to transfer to a different college and in the main “why transfer essay”, I talked about how my current university has a lack of resources that has stifled my creativity, that I’ve been led blindly through dull lectures, and that the school’s location has almost killed off my social life. But after reading my essay back I’m realizing that I might actually be insulting my current school, which I’ve been told to not do. Do you guys think that the admissions officers might be turned off by the way I described my situation? I already feel pretty down about this.
Did you already submit it?
Your instinct is probably correct, I’m sorry to say. The essay shouldn’t be about what is wrong with your current school, but rather what is right about the one you want to transfer into. If you can, rewrite it. If it’s too late, the at least you’ve learned a valuable lesson. The saying is you’ll get more flies with honey than vinegar.
I did already submit it. But I squeezed the “insults” into two and a half sentences within a five paragraph, 650+ worded essay. The rest of the essay is about the school I want to transfer to. But, is this mistake really a dealbreaker to the admissions officers? I’m really tempted to call in/email and backtrack on the badmouthing I did on my current school.
@breezycola It could be a dealbreaker. There are plenty of ways to positively illustrate reasons for transfer without insulting or speaking negatively about your current school.
I don’t think calling or emailing the school is going to do anything except highlight your error. Its done, let it go and hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Lesson learned