<p>Hi guys, I'm wondering if UW expects the transfer personal statement to be . . . split into sections vs. one more "focused" essay that somehow works the info in.</p>
<p>What they ask for from transfer students is information on academic history, major/career goals, cultural understanding, and experiential learning. None of it is optional except the experiential learning and the suggested length is 750 to 1000 words.</p>
<p>For those of you who are transfer applicants, did you work all the elements into one essay with a common theme or treat the questions in sections?</p>
<p>I was just accepted for winter 2010 and I wrote about a paragraph each for the required elements. I actually didn’t spend as much time on my academic history as I did describing why I wanted to come to the UW. I figured my transcript would speak for me since I have a 3.8 GPA and I’m an honors student. If your grades are a little low, you might want to write more about your academic achievements maybe. </p>
<p>I won’t say I had a theme, I just made the transitions between my paragraphs smooth. For example, I talked about my career goals and how I wanted to minor in Spanish. I then used that topic to transition into my paragraph about the Spanish class I took over the summer at the UW. Then from there about my cultural understanding and how I want to learn Spanish to connect with my heritage. My last paragraph about why I needed to leave my current university I just kind of used as my conclusion paragraph. Just use transition words! I maybe went one or two words over 1000.</p>
<p>Thanks, xochistlahuaca, that helps a LOT. 
And congratulations on your acceptance!</p>