<p>I’m a freshman at William and Mary looking to transfer to Penn. I’m looking to move back to Philadelphia because of some family problems and needing to be closer to home. I’d also love to study comparative literature, offered by Penn and not WM, but was wondering which reason for leaving to emphasize in my application. Do the family problems seem like a reason not Penn-specific enough to mention them? Here are my stats:
1st Semester: 3.76 (Dean’s List) with mostly 100’s and 200’s (is WM really considered a grade deflator?)
I’m involved in 3 different community service programs and Young Dems with decent leadership
My recs will be pretty good but I really dont’ know my teachers extremely well. (i’m also having a teacher i know very well from high school submit a letter)
HS: WGPA is 3.987 (my hs doesn’t report unweighted) and 1490 SAT
Varsity/Captain of Crew and Swimming, Young Dems, Comm Service club, NJ Spanish Award, HS Foreign Lang. Department Award
This semester I have a heavy courseload with some upper level classes. And I designed it after speaking with Penn’s Comp Lit Director. Do I have a chance?</p>
<p>Since Im applying to both WM and Penn and I dont know a great deal about WM, hows it like? academically? socially? ext.</p>
<p>As for the essay, I would suggest you talk about your family problems first off and then also explain your comparative lit thing.</p>
<p>i love the academic atmosphere at william and mary. it's very intense but you just feel like you're learning so much every day. the social scene definitely leaves something to be desired. fairly frat focused and the closest "city" is richmond, an hour away. but a lot of people like the secluded campus.</p>
<p>Considering that your current school is WM and not some no-name community college, it sounds like you'd be a competitive applicant. A 3.76 is a very good college GPA.</p>
<p>I would try to focus on Penn-specific reasons for wanting to transfer. However, once you've built a base in your essay that you love Penn for Penn, you could mention how being there would also alleviate some pressure caused by family problems.</p>
<p>bump.. any other suggestions or are we in agreement?</p>