Transfer essay questions

Transfer Students
1

<p>I've read here a number of times that you shouldn't concentrate on why you want to leave your current school in your transfer essay, but instead why you want to go somewhere else. In my case, the reason I want to go somewhere else is pretty much squarely due to the disappointment I'm filled with at my current school. Kids aren't motivated in class, I don't like the social scene, pot is smoked all over (and the RAs turn a blind eye to it).</p>

<p>I don't know how I can answer the common app essay which asks for "your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve" without being very negative.</p>

<p>I don't want to commit some ultimate faux pas that dooms an otherwise good application. Any suggestions as to what I should do to communicate my disappointment appropriately?</p>

2

<p>It’s really all in the way you say it. You can talk about the shortcomings of your current school, but don’t trash it. And once you’ve stated the problems, move on to concrete reasons why another school will suit your academic and personal needs better. </p>

<p>Try not to be judgmental. For instance, the fact that pot is smoked a lot shouldn’t come across as a moral problem in your eyes, but rather that a different social scene would better suit your personality and interests.</p>

<p>Academically, you can say that while the coursework is challenging, your peers often come to class unprepared, etc. But if you say something to this effect, you better be able to back it up with top grades and excellent LORs.</p>