<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>I'm completely new to the common app so I apologize in advanced.
I'm applying to two different universities with it, but my first question is there a spot on it to indicate you are a transfer student? I haven't looked around at it much as I have midterms going on right now. I would like to finish it by Thanksgiving though.</p>
<p>Secondly, for one my essay topics I was hoping to get some input. I'm applying to BS/MS OT programs for two schools in addition to my current university's program. I was thinking about writing how my concussions changed my outlook on mental illness, and disabilities, or writing about how my car accident made me realize the importance of OT because of not being able to do the normal activities of daily living (adls) for a week. </p>
<p>I saw this on another thread but is there an essay topic about why you are transferring? This may be for specific schools, but I could also see it being an essay for all schools. The university I'm at now did not have this as a question for the essay. If this would be a topic I was thinking of writing about how the abuse that happened in my home is my motivation for transferring. If you look to my previous posts you will know I did go to a school 2 hrs away from home but did not find a major I enjoyed there (this is because of a course I took which was all about career planning) so I came back home to save money plus the school does have the majors I like. Only problem is I would say the verbal, and mental abuse is still happening. The person with the problem would never admit, but I can say if your still making people scared when you get angry then you have a problem. It's been going on all my life, and family members have told me I should go away for college as it's hurting my mental health (I know I'm probably depressed) It was worse when I was younger. Would this be alright to use?</p>
<p>I am going to answer your last question first. </p>
<p>If you are having something going on that is affecting your mental health, I hope you have gone to the student health center to seek help. You sound like you need counseling to address your feelings of depression and how to handle your home situation. Feelings about those difficulties will follow you even if you transfer so you need to learn some tools to help you cope. </p>
<p>I would not focus on your emotional situation as a reason for your transfer. Better to talk about the old school not having your major so you left to save money until you found the new school with your major and why you feel the new school would be a good match for you. </p>
<p>Either of those essay topics sound fine so choose the one you prefer</p>
<p>And I’m sure somewhere on the form you click transfer student versus new student but I don’t know where. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response.</p>
<p>Just want to clarify I’m understanding your post, write about why I first transferred, and then why I want to transfer to possibly a third school? Is it possible to write two separate essays for each school? They both have unique features about the programs that I loved reading about which my current university does not offer for the same program. </p>
<p>I have inquired at student health clinic and sadly they only offer short term therapy, and since the problems have been going on since childhood it would be considered long term therapy, although, honestly since I really think it would help who knows I may be able to accomplish it through short term since I’m willingly to do the work. They pretty much said they would refer me to someone in the community, but I cannot afford most out of pocket costs as my insurance does not cover it anything in regards to mental health which is sad.
I just thought it would be a topic that other students have written about so why not me, but I understand your point. </p>
<p>Good know, it probably seems like a stupid question but I thought I would ask.</p>
<p>fumafoo101, I did not read your previous posts so it was not apparent to me that you are at a second school now. Yes you can write 2 separate essays. </p>
<p>Students do changes schools for various reasons but the schools will want to hear about why you want them in particular, not that they are an escape for your home situation.</p>
<p>I personally would not discuss emot/mental health reasons for transferring because it add complexity and doubt that you would be able to cut it at their school. </p>
<p>I am sorry about your difficulty finding affordable services for your emotional/mental health. There may be support groups or other less costly ways to get regular weekly contact with others who have experienced similar situations. Even if it is through the web. I would search for that if I were you and if you can get something affordable short term at the school then tell them you would like to go for as many visits as they would allot you. Perhaps by that time you will have found some other support.</p>
<p>Great! With each program having different features I’m glad to hear that I can write two separate essays. For some reason I was thinking the Common app would just send the same essay for both schools which I do not want.</p>
<p>I can see your point as it does make me look unstable, and not a great student for them to accept.
I’m actually doing much better just from thinking things over, and reminding myself that I truly have a good life, and I could be worse off. My pets are my motivation for striving for a better life, and it doesn’t help my doctor just switched me to a new drug that isn’t for depression, but it’s helping that too. </p>
<p>Thank you again!!</p>
<p>One more thing! In order to send different essays, you have to create a different version of your common app for the second school. That way you can upload the second essay for that version.</p>
<p>The common app will tell you how to create the other version in the instructions somewhere but I don’t remember where that is. You will have to hunt around in the common app and if you cannot find it, post a new thread and ask here and someone will give you the link.</p>
<p>Glad you hear your are feeling a bit better. Good luck!</p>