Should I mention financial aid need in my why essay?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi everybody,</p>

<p>I'm applying for transfer to MIT. There is an essay asking "why do you want to transfer out"? Should I mention financial aid need in this essay?</p>

<p>Financial aid is a big reason for me. As an international, I did not get enough money, so my parents have to work really hard and borrow money. And I'm also working 20 hours a week to relieve their burden, while overloading. My current GPA is 3.93 and I'm sophomore.</p>

<p>Please give me some advice.</p>

<p>Thanks a lot!</p>

2

<p>Don’t mention financial aid in your transfer essay. Admissions and financial aid are two different departments. If anything, it will weaken your application. Transfer students typically get less financial aid than regular students, and many schools refuse to consider financial aid for international transfers.</p>

<p>Also, most schools are need-blind for domestic students only. If financial aid is the reason you’re transferring, MIT is probably not the best choice.</p>

3

<p>That’s not what they’re looking for. If you’re having money issues, there are hundreds of other schools that could lessen the burden. Why MIT? Make your essay more specific to MIT.</p>

4

<p>I wouldn’t talk about it. There are things more unique to MIT than good financial aid</p>

5

<p>Thanks everybody.</p>

<p>But there are two why essays.

  1. Please explain your reasons for wanting to attend MIT
  2. Please discuss why you are considering transferring from your current college or university.</p>

<p>In the first essay I wrote about unique things about MIT, but Im talking about the second essay. Is it still necessary to relate to MIT?</p>

<p>BTW, MIT is need blind for international transfers.</p>

6

<p>The second essay is the Common App essay. If you were applying to more than one school, you would write a generic essay that would be sent to every school.</p>

7

<p>No it’s not the common app. MIT uses its own application…</p>

8

<p>It is the Common App essay question. MIT happens to use the same question.</p>

<p>Since English is not your first language, I’ll explain the implication for you: if you were answering that question for the Common App for many schools, you would not mention a particular school. Since you’re not, it is to your advantage to mention MIT.</p>