<p>I am planning a transfer and was wondering if any of the parents in this forum with experience could answer some of my questions about admissions.</p>
<li>My professor has written me a good recommendation but has not used “official” forms. Some of the colleges on my list state they do not care but I am worried about the ones where it seems to be a gray area. My professor as one would expect is busy and I do not wish to bother him again. Think it will hurt me?</li>
<li>My essays are not “different” and just state my reasons for wanting to transfer. I have been told that for transfer admission this is the best policy but am not sure if it will bore the admissions committee. </li>
<li>Do my HS ECs matter? They were good and I am a second semester freshman.
Thanks to anyone who takes the time to respond</li>
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<p>My daughter successfully applied to transfer as a second semester freshman, and I will try to answer your questions.<br>
1) I am not sure if her professor used a special form or not.<br>
2) The schools she applied to used the Common Application with transfer supplements. She re-used her essay from her original Common Application from high school, and addressed why she wanted to transfer as an additional essay in response to questions on the transfer supplements. The applications for the schools you are applying to may be set up differently though. Some advice - When you state your reasons for transferring, be tactful in stating your reasons for wanting to transfer and emphasize positives about the school you are applying to rather than being overly negative about the current school. Bashing your current school will not go over well, in my opinion.
3) My daughter used her summary of activities from her original Common Application, which included all her high school ECs, and updated it to include her freshman college activities.</p>
<p>Overall, they will look at your whole record, including high school and college, so include all information that you think will support your application.</p>