<p>I applied ED to my current school. After the first semester, I knew I wanted to transfer. I decided to stick it out and keep an open mind and see how I felt after a year. I am now in my third semester and still wish to transfer. The problem is, it is hard to put down on paper the exact reason why I want to transfer.
I was wondering if any others could share their reasons for wanting to transfer? It may help me put together my own thoughts. Thanks!</p>
<p>for me i am transferring for the major (the school i am at now doesn't exactly have what i want to major in), also the opportunities the schools that i am applying to have are a lot better than the ones at my school now (like internships). </p>
<p>for some people they want a smaller school, for some people they want a bigger school. sometimes location is why people transfer. some people even say they are not being challenged academically.</p>
<p>I'm applying to transfer to schools that are more academically challenging and where I have a better chance of doing relevant research in my major (biochem/molecular bio) so I stand a better chance of getting into a top grad school.</p>
<p>couldn't you really only say you aren't being academically challenged if you have a 4.0?</p>
<p>cbr27, is it wise to the tell universities that you want to attend their school because it will help you get into grad school? Doesn't that look like you're only using the school to get somewhere else?
(sorry I'm not picking on you; it's just that I was going to write about something like that until someone told me later it was a bad idea)</p>
<p>^^ Not sure if it's wise to tell them or not -- I certainly wouldn't word it like that in an admissions essay or interview! My intention is to transfer to a school that has a stronger biochem or MCB dept with better professors and more undergrad research opportunities (in my areas of interest) than my present school so I can better prepare myself for admission to a top-tier grad school.</p>
<p>I have a few reasons. First of all, I decided on attending my current university due to financial reasons, but now I want to go to the best possible school, regardless of the loans I will have to take out. Secondly, I want to play basketball again (DIII, not DI or anything). I also would like to move away from my home state and the region in general. Finally, I want to be challenged by college and get the most knowledge out of the experience, which I'm not getting currently even with my 4.0 in the university's honors program.</p>
<p>I transferred because I didn't agree with what my school stood for, basically. It was a pretty religious school and I didn't like being treated like a middle schooler. Plus, I knew I would have more opportunities at a better school. Also, my academic interests changed slightly.</p>
<p>In the "Why are you transferring" essay just be sure not to bash your old school. Focus on academic reasons for leaving (ie. your interests changed).</p>
<p>I really dislike 99% of the people here. There's nothing to do but get drunk. Academics are pretty good, but I feel like I could be challenged more...No, I don't have a 4.0 (it's a 3.89) but I think it is still a valid complaint. I want to meet people who think about things other than what's going to happen on Greek (the TV show) next week or when they can get drunk again. Of course, I will phrase this completely differently on my apps.</p>
<p>I agree, although drinking is present at any university, I would like the assurance that the student body is academically competent and strive to to their best instead of coasting with C average grades.</p>
<p>Why I want to transfer from NYU to Cornell:</p>
<ol>
<li>At NYU, I'm an Econ major, but Cornell has this great major called Policy Analysis & Management (PAM) which is more specific to my academic interests. It's Econ-heavy as well, but more policy based and with more practical, real-world applications, rather than strictly liberal arts. </li>
<li>At NYU, I'm in the Liberal Studies program, which is extremely limiting. I have few class choices, and 3/4 classes per semester are assigned. The courses are rigid and inflexibile; I only get to pick 1 per semester, and there's not a lot of choices.</li>
<li>At NYU, I commute for 2 hrs a day. At Cornell, I would dorm.</li>
<li>I love NYC, but I don't want to go to college here, I want a rural or suburban environment.</li>
</ol>
<p>on the general common app essay, you need to state reasons for transferring, but then each school will most likely require a supplemental essay of why that specific school. I was wondering if the general common app is more of a reason of what is wrong with your school, since the pro's of schools will be different, and cannot be applied to all of the schools you apply to.</p>
<p>jjay1, you and I are in similar situations. I came to my school for financial reasons (and, to a lesser extent, a poor HS record). Now I am willing to pay anything for even a small taste of a good education.</p>
<p>I'm also transferring from NYU, hopefully to Brown or Amherst.</p>
<p>I want to live in the city after college for sure, because I am absolutely in love with it--but it's not a good place to go for undergraduate education. It's very impersonal, nearly impossible to make friends, too much red tape in the administration, etc. I'm also in LSP and I hate it. Can't wait to leave!</p>
<p>I really started to dislike my school before my semester even ended (i'm a freshman). First of all I hate the location (its a really small town; I prefer the city), most of the people there don't take academics seriously at all. My only friend on campus is my roommate. I only plan to join ec's for the transfer application. I don't like how small the campus and student population is. Basically i'm looking for somewhere in the city, a very prestigious top-25 school with a high ranking busines school that also has a top law school (not required, but it would be nice), oh and I want somewhere with a football team because to me that helps develop campus pride/school spirit which my school LACKS so overall I feel like i'm missing out on the whole college experience. Oh! Not to mention the campus is commuter and by friday afternoon the whole place is freaking abandoned.</p>
<p>...which concludes my reasons to transfer.</p>
<p>re post #12...
You are sort of on the right track, imo, but you do NOT want to spend much, if any time, on "what is wrong with your current school." Cast it more in the tone of what you are seeking, what you have learned from your current experience about what type of place would be better for you. Do not diss your current school.</p>
<p>When you get to the why school XYZ essay, you can get very specific about programs they have, research certain profs are doing....</p>
<p>When writing the essay and mentioning extracurricular activities offered at your prospective school, would it be better to focus on one club/organization, or a few, say 1-3, clubs?</p>
<p>Also, on average, what is the length of the essay?</p>
<p>It would be interesting to know what the average length of the "Why Transfer" essay is.</p>
<p>way too many smart asians in bio major at uci, therefore crazy high curves, ultimately making it hard to get 3.7 by graduation</p>