This post includes tips for both writing transfer essays and the intense prep work it requires to transfer. We’ve written a lot about the transferring process, and it’s important to keep in mind that transferring isn’t as easy as most people think. And you need a better reason than simply wanting to trade up. But if you’re reading this, you might already have your reasons for wanting to transfer. If you’re unsure but want more information and/or validation, read our “Should I Transfer” post.
4 tips for transferring prep work:
Figure out exactly why you want to transfer:
While this is the most obvious step, it’s also the most important. Start by making a list of all of the reasons that you want to transfer. This list should be a brain dump that includes every single reason you’ve got to move onto greener pastures. Don’t judge what you write down, at first. The first version of the list can include anything from “my major isn’t available” to “I’m always cold.” Next, sit with your list and cross some things off. Be stern with yourself here: some of your reasons might be completely true and legitimate (my major isn’t offered), but not quite reason enough for transferring (weather.)
A note on non-academic reasons for transferring: We are not suggesting that the only valid reasons for transferring are related to academia. Maybe the first time around you only applied to the school around the block because you weren’t sure what you wanted to do, or perhaps there was an unfortunate personal circumstance like an illness or death in the family that prevented you from leaving home. Things like these are understandable and applicable, but your other reasons for transferring still need to be expanded upon in your applications.
Research, research, research: Let’s say you end up with a list that looks like this:
I want to major in marine biology
I’m looking for research opportunities with a professor
I want to fieldwork experience while I’m in school
Before you do anything else, ask yourself if any of the things on your list are available at your current school. If everything you’ve listed is available at your current school, your list is not good enough. Tough, but true. A transfer application essay is a research assignment and you have to get incredibly specific. Wanting to be an English major at Yale instead of UConn will not cut it. You need to look into specific tracks, classes, extracurricular activities, professors, and research opportunities that are available at the school you’re applying to, and also (this is important) NOT available at the school you currently attend. Otherwise, your application will get tossed into the “just looking to trade up” pile. And those students don’t get accepted.
But back to our imaginary student list from above. You would start by looking for schools that offer a marine biology major, research opportunities, and fieldwork. Sounds pretty simply, but once you start looking you’ll find that this kind of research takes a lot of time. So plan ahead for that.
Don’t apply to schools that don’t fit your needs just because you want to increase your chances of getting out of dodge.
Don’t apply to random schools. You’ll have about 650 words (more on this later) to make your case, and each word has to be carefully selected. In a transfer essay, you don’t have room to pepper your work with buzz words like “interdisciplinary” and phrases like “appreciation of the arts.” Before you even start writing, there should be at least three legitimate reasons why you want to go to any school.
Ask for recommendation letters and transcripts as soon as you decide where you want to apply.
Pretty self-explanatory. You’ll save yourself a lot of time requesting everything at once and checking in on the items that need to be sent in by schools and professors periodically throughout the process. Ask for letters of recommendation early.
4 tips for actually writing your essays:
Triple check the word count and character count.
There were some issues with word vs. character count this year. We called numerous schools about it and never got a clear answer, but make sure you double check on both your transfer common app account and the school’s website for the length of the essay. Sometimes, you have 650 words. Sometimes, you have 4,000-6,000 characters. Make sure you’re working against the bottom line while you’re writing, or else you could end up cutting your essay down frantically the day before the deadline.
Get creative with your “origin story.”
We’ve been harping on the importance of writing about specific programs and professors, but if you don’t explain why you’re interested in those things you’ll sound like a robot. If you’re going to be writing about your undying love for engineering, start your essay with a story about how you built a bridge out of legos when you were five. Also important, explain what you did in the years between that first experience and now. So, don’t jump from “lego master” to “mechanical engineer” in one sentence. You need to show that you’ve been working to hone those skills, but just aren’t in the right environment to do so.
Come up with a base essay.
This will save you an incredible amount of time. There’s no set formula, but most essays will need an origin story, explanation of why your current school isn’t right for you, and specific things that you’re interested in at the school you’re applying to. Obviously, if you’re applying to more than one school then the specific programs and professors will change by school. But get your origin story and blurb about what’s not working for you currently down, and you can use that as a base for all of your applications.
Don’t write about how much you hate your current school
This never works. Your essay is not the time to talk about how your professors don’t make time for you and the classes offered are not as advertised. Write a sentence or two about how the school is not a good fit for YOU, but don’t use blanket statements that make it seem like it’s the worst place on earth.
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