<p>I know why I want to transfer. I can clearly articulate that desire. But all the standard Bauld precepts - tell a story, etc. - don't seem to fit the mold of the common app transfer essay. </p>
<p>I'm not sure I even have a story - at least a meaningful one - that captures my "reasons for transferring and the objectives (I) hope to achieve." I don't like my school and I am sick and tired of all the students here who don't give a damn about learning. In my prolonged and gradual realization that I wanted to transfer, there was no "epiphany" moment; no big turn; no intense story.</p>
<p>I have plenty of stories, of course, and I could answer any of the standard app questions - important moment, meaningful experience, personal or literary hero, etc. But the transfer essay seems a breed of its own. How can I be personal and creative with such an acrid and tedious question?</p>
<p>I'm sure this is a standard topic. But let me hear your views on this.</p>
<p>I am in the same boat you are in. I dislike my current college a lot, and as you mentioned, students at my college are the same way, they just don't care about academics for the most part. I am 100% sure I want to transfer, and I love the college I want to transfer to, but I don't know how to answer the "Why Transfer" essay without sounding so bland.</p>
<p>I'm bumping this so hopefully some people can help both of us out.</p>
<p>It asked a question, so I answered it without trying to do anything fancy (ie. tell a story). It is a different kind of question, so don't bother with the books on how to write a college essay. </p>
<p>For the common app personal statement I just mentioned a bit about how I got where I am, and then talked about what X school could provide me with and why I want those things/how I will utilize them and also discussed a little bit about future plans (I believe this is how I did it, haven't read it in a while though). Just be yourself and be honest, they simply want to know your reasoning for wishing to leave your school, and come to their school. Even more directly answered the prompt on the supplemental essay. Was told both were great (especially supplemental essay, my english professor said it was easily my best work) and was accepted to Cornell.</p>
<p>I strongly urge you not to go for grandeur by telling a story and to rather go for a more functional essay...freshman essay and transfer essays (or the good ones at least) are very different...freshman essay your trying to really give them a good insight into who you are and illustrative language or the use of a personal narrative is ok. however for your transfer essay, you're really showing them that you will be able to handle the workload and learning enviornment once you get there despite your lack of familiarity with the school (as opposed to the students who have already been there 1-2-3 years)</p>
<p>What if the transfer essay asks you to be creative? The Georgetown transfer essay is: "The Admissions Committee would like to know more about you in your own words. Please submit a brief essay, either autobiographical or creative, which you feel best describes you. If transferring from a four-year institution, please include
your reasons for transferring from your present institution."</p>
<p>I feel by writing an autobiography would be kinda boring and would like to see if I can actually make it into a creative essay.</p>
<p>I appreciate the advice to work more towards a functional essay and I'm taking it seriously. The small voice, the daimon in the back of my head, still whispers: This sounds like everyone who wants to transfer to their damn school! Which is not true, I know. But I still feel like that, when I don't try to add the flair of a story.</p>
<p>I think it's because I've never really seen an essay like this. I creatively answered my original college app essay question (though it turns out I didn't even really need to work on it, my school would've accepted me anyway). Now I'm grasping to do the same again for an essay that may not necessitate it.</p>
<p>All the schools I'm trying to transfer to don't really offer any "supplemental essay" opportunity, aside from the standard "Why This School?"</p>
<p>I take note of Wesleyan's advice to transfers with regard to the essay: </p>
<p>"As the personal essay is very important, we expect that you dedicate appropriate time and care to its composition. Essays are read for their content and quality of expression: an effective essay lets us hear your voice. The essay is designed to allow you latitude in responding. If there is something about your situation that you think warrants further explanation, feel free to add an additional paragraph or page. "</p>
<p>"The essay is designed to allow you latitude in responding." What essay are they talking about? As far as I know, which is of course not much, Wesleyan takes the common app transfer essay and doesn't have a supplemental essay... Are they implying the common app essay is designed to allow one latitude in responding?</p>
<p>I absolutely understand your problem. I devoured Harry Bauld's book, and a few by the Dartmouth lady (the name escapes me,) and so I want to be as creative as I can. I guess you can take something that happened to you on campus and describe it in a crteative manner. For example, when I visited Cornell, a friend of my best friend's, an international student from Columbia taught me how to salsa dance. It's a small thing, but it shows the diversity and the kind of student body present at Cornell. So, yes - first, functionality - then, creativity will make its way in.</p>
<p>The basic transfer essay asking your reasons does not hold to the form of Bauld's or a typical college esssay. It asks a specific question and should be answered as articulately and convincingly as possible. With other essays that ask more general questions about you, you can use the more creative, story-type approach.</p>
<p>
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The basic transfer essay asking your reasons does not hold to the form of Bauld's or a typical college esssay. It asks a specific question and should be answered as articulately and convincingly as possible. With other essays that ask more general questions about you, you can use the more creative, story-type approach.
[/quote]
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<p>But what if your essay invovles both a general question about yourself and reasons for transfer?</p>
<p>Would if be a good idea to split the essay in two? First tell them more about yourself creatively and then a less creative part of why you want to transfer?</p>
<p>By the "basic transfer essay", I was talking about the CA essay, which is what I thought the OP was referring to. It asks you to "address your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve", which is very different from the CA essay prompts for freshman applicants.</p>
<p>If the essay asks for both, then sure, address both aspects.</p>