<p>reading the threads in this forum, i find many people commenting on the necessity of a good reason transfer. i am planning to apply transfer to a couple of school next year but i don't really have a strong reason. like many here, i suppose i'm seeking the better education and more enriching atmosphere. well obviously this sounds a little too cliche. </p>
<p>so to all of you successful applicants (or applying applicants), mind if you share your reasons to transfer? </p>
<p>-lack of diversity (both socioeconomic and ethnic)
-few theatre opportunities (since that's my major)
-too many common education requirements (leads to having very little participation from students who just want to fulfill a requirement)
-close-minded students...conforming, stifling environment
-girls dumbed themselves down for boys...
etc. etc. etc.</p>
<p>well...
-no religion department (which is what i want to study)
-too big, impersonal and shallow resources (i.e. religion)
-waaayyy to focused on football (lol)
-too close to home
-in the city (i'd rather be in the country)
-seems to have diversity but is very segregated
-weird people in my college</p>
<p>These are my reasons. I do not speak for anyone but myself:</p>
<p>-campus is dead; very boring
-academics are poor to mediocre
-peers don't share the same academic drive
-feels like high school (seriously)
-overall atmosphere is barely tolerable (when I drive back from home I dread the feeling of returning, therefore making my academics not enjoyable)
-most peers that I've met so far are nice, but are very ignorant to the outside world</p>
<p>we all know that answering to the questions like "why do you want to transfer" is all about how well you can BS your reason because 95% of the people transfer due to prestige issue :)</p>
<p>
[quote]
"I agree with the emphasis on the essay. Every person I know of who has been successful transferring to a top school has said they feel their essay was the key. I personally believe that for the transfer essay you need to answer the question "Why does our university offer more what you are looking for than your present university?" with a primary emphasis on academics. Talk about majors or courses or professors that are unique to that school. BE AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE. For example, if you are interested in studying development, you might mention how great the course "The Case For Africa: What The West Should Do in the 21st Century" looks to you.</p>
<p>Although I certainly haven't evaluated any applications, I'd imagine that the following topics are a dime a dozen and won't help an application, if even hurt one. LIST OF DON'Ts:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Denigrating your current school too much. You can say "My present university doesn't have major X" but don't do more than that. Don't talk about the 'lame social scene' or anything like that.</p></li>
<li><p>Focusing on what is obvious to the school. Don't spend any time writing about how great a reputation a school has. They know they're great. They want to hear about why they are unique for your interests. Specifically avoid issues of prestige, location*, greek life, etc. *Unless the school happens to be in a location that is unique to offering what you're looking for (eg. NYC and the United Nations).</p></li>
<li><p>For the personal essay, writing about things that every student goes through. Don't just give them a litany of things you've done that every student has done (gone to college, gotten good grades, participated in club X.) Tell them about what you are really interested in, CONVEY PASSION FOR A SPECIFIC TOPIC (something more than just "I've always enjoyed history") and tell them how you have invested your time and effort into realizing this passion."
<p>umm...i dissagree dhl. i am transferring because i dont like the school and there is no program here for me. True, most of the schools I applied to ae considered "more prestigious" than my current school, but the individual number ranking doesn't matter, its the tier. I am applying from a top tier schools to other top tier schools. I did not pick the schools tha thad the highest ranking or the highest SAT scores or lowest aceptance rates...I picked those that I believe are a good match for me.</p>