<p>I'm a freshman this year and I'm thinking of transferring. I am planning on applying to multiple schools as a transfer applicant. For the common app question about why transfer, it is supposed to be general, right? A lot of the things I have been reading say make it specific, so I was wondering if people send out different common app essays for different colleges. Thanks a bunch.</p>
<p>Here are instructions for how to make different versions of the CA, note that you have to submit at least 1 school before you can make alternate versions:</p>
<p><a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/commonapp/docs/alternateversiontechnologyfaq.pdf[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/commonapp/docs/alternateversiontechnologyfaq.pdf</a></p>
<p>Yes, the CA says that you should only use a single essay for all schools. But that doesn’t make any sense, particularly for transfer students, as supplements vary so much.</p>
<p>My recommendation is to have a general essay version for schools that ask ‘Why School X’ in their supplement, and make other school specific versions for those that don’t.</p>
<p>Thank you both very much. I was completely lost and I would’ve submitted a generic essay eventually leading to my demise.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>But what if my university has a short “Why X University is a good fit for you?” statement in its supplement and other than that, requires the general Common App essay only? I mean, I’m worried that my essay would be just a longer version of my statement, and it probably wouldn’t look good. Should I submit just a general essay then? I can make my supplement statement school-specific: mention programs, clubs etc.</p>
<p>When a college has a Why College X? supplemental essay, you should be talking specifically about why that college fits you. It could be details of their academic programs, ECs, study abroad, student body, location, etc. Look at their website so that you can use the same terms that they do (eg. Cornell has the College of Arts & Sciences while UMichigan calls it the College of Literature, Science and the Arts).</p>
<p>The CA essay should talk in more general terms. Why do you want to transfer? Unless you are at a CC, you can say something about why your current school doesn’t fit your needs and goals–don’t be mean, but saying that some things don’t fit is alright. What are you looking for in a transfer school? Talk about those qualities that you discussed in your Why College X? supplement, but in broader terms–major offered, type of school (eg. LAC vs. large research school), access to activities of interest, etc.</p>
<p>Thank you! I’m just worried about the fact that the supplement is VERY short (500 characters) and that I won’t be able to fully explain why this university is a good fit for me. Should I still go for the more general Common App essay and focus on a school in the supplement?</p>
<p>If you can’t fit it all into the 500 char limit, go ahead and put some of your reasons into the CA main essay. </p>
<p>The thing to remember is that you want to get all of your reasons across without too much repetition. Do that in any way necessary given the individual college restrictions.</p>