What to NOT include in common app transfer essay?

<p>For the select few schools I'll be applying to, I have clear reasons for wanting to go to each specific college. Each respective supplement will contain my details for that particular college.</p>

<p>For the common app prompt, which will be sent to ALL the schools I apply to, the prompt is:
"Please provide a statement (250 words minimum) that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve."</p>

<p>Would it be a bad idea to mention how my current school isn't that great for me?? I don't mean to disrespect it in any way, its just that I feel that myself overall is not compatible with my current school, and am often irked by a "lack of match". For general details, the school's very strong in engineering/business route, while INITIALLY I believed I would follow either route, I have adamantly decided to take the premed route, a very small department at my school. On top of that, it'a very big party school, and I myself don't party at all, and always run into people who are more intent on getting laid, high, tipsy, etc rather than getting a decent education. </p>

<p>Just for the clarification, I am NOT trying to disrespect my current college I attend. I am one of those people that believe that no matter where an individual goes for his/her undergrad, he/she can make the best experience out of it. Even if I were for some reason forced to stay here 4 years, I would probably still find my way, survive through the hardships and prosper. However, I just feel that transferring elsewhere with a better match for me will make my undergrad experience much more encouraging. </p>

<p>So in short, would it be a bad idea to put my current school in bad light, or should I not mention that at all? Like I said, I am mentioning clear reasons why I want to attend College X and College Y on the supplements, but wondered if talking about my current school is good or a no-no. Thanks in advance for the feedback.</p>

<p>You can write that you are seeking x, y, and z in a school aka what your current school is NOT. The other operative phrase is that you are searching for a “better fit.” It’s all about framing it as “it’s not you, it’s me.”</p>

<p>You have to explain how your current school does not provide the opportunities you seek, but NEVER badmouth it. </p>

<p>This is generally how I wrote it: “While my school provides an excellent opportunity for X, it does not provide as adequately for Y.”</p>

<p>The reasons you list are valid things to mention and it can be done, just as you suggest, without disrespecting your current school.</p>