The University of Chicago is a top-tier university that offers an Ivy League-caliber education in an urban setting and a slightly more accessible first-year acceptance rate. Emphasis on slightly. The transfer acceptance rate is even lower — a mere 5%.
While some colleges have robust transfer programs and admit hundreds of transfer students each year (think, Cornell), the University of Chicago has not made transfers a key piece of their program. Only 0-30 transfer students join annually, according to a column in the student paper critiquing the transfer program that was published in 2019, and there are few resources for them when they arrive. The University of Chicago is also notorious for not accepting many transfer credits from new students, which makes it hard to graduate on time.
All these hurdles mean that transferring to the University of Chicago is best for students that need something academically that only they can provide.
If you need something unique to the University of Chicago and would like to apply to transfer, your first step should be to call in help. After sending an SOS email our way, you’ll need to decide if you want to apply Early Decision or Rolling Decision.
If you know you want to be at the University of Chicago and there is no back-up plan that you’d be happy with, you should apply ED. Applying early offers you the best chance possible of being admitted.
If you aren’t sure what you want, there is a Rolling Decision program. However, if you aren’t sure what you want you probably shouldn’t be applying to the University of Chicago as a transfer. The odds aren’t good enough to not take your best shot, especially as applying to transfer is more than a little bit of a hassle — and it’s not simply a repeat of what you did senior year of high school.
THE WRITING
The University of Chicago transfer application includes a few pieces of writing — two of which are particularly important.
First let’s start with the optional one, because optional is rarely optional.
Optional Personal Statement
“The personal statement is not required for the transfer application. You have the option to submit one if you’d like.”
This is the closest thing in your transfer application to the college application essay you wrote back in high school. It’s a chance to share a piece of yourself, and to skip out on that just because it’s optional would be a huge missed opportunity.
For the personal statement, you should write an essay that shows pieces of who you are outside of the classroom, and that reflects on how you’ll be as a community member at the University of Chicago. Ideally, it should also link indirectly to one or more of your areas of academic interest.
The Transfer Essay
“Please tell us why you are planning to leave (or have already left) your current college or university, and how the University of Chicago will satisfy your desire for a particular kind of learning, community, and future. Please address with some specificity your own wishes and how they relate to UChicago.” (500 words)
This is THE essay. This is the essay where you prove to the application readers that you are not just a great student, but a great fit for their school. There are three things you must include to make the most of this essay.
Be Specific
You can’t beat around the bush. You need to be specific about why you are looking to transfer. It may be uncomfortable or frustrating to write about, but there’s a reason you’re looking for an out and this is where you need to share it respectfully, thoughtfully, and without drama.
It’s also important to focus on what truly is requiring a transfer, not the peripheral things that may simply be annoying at your current school. For example, not liking your roommate is a reason to find new housing, not a reason to transfer. Not enjoying the food is a reason to get off the meal plan as soon as you can, not a reason to transfer. Reasons to transfer are most often rooted in a mismatch between what your school offers academically and what you’ve decided to pursue.
Pinpoint Why UChicago
After you’ve clarified why you want to leave your current school, you need to be just as specific and clear-cut when expressing what it is at the University of Chicago that makes it perfect for you. This should be focused most heavily on the academic opportunities you are looking to take advantage of. Do your research before you start writing so that you can mention specific courses you want to take, professors you want to study under, and programs you’d like to be a part of.
It is also good to mention the non-academic reasons why the University of Chicago is a good fit for you. Again, do your research so you can speak to the specifics of the school rather than offering platitudes like enjoying the “vibe.”
Chart Your Path at UChicago
Finally, you need to chart your path at the University of Chicago beyond when you first show up on campus. Obviously, things change. But what if they don’t? What would be your path? Share what your steps will be from your first day of classes to graduation.
ANOTHER OPTION
If you are really into the University of Chicago, but aren’t entirely sold on transferring, it’s worth looking into the Students-at-Large program. This program allows students who are eligible for admission to attend the University of Chicago for up to three quarters, during which they can earn credit for their current college. This is a great opportunity for trying out the UChicago, but it’s not a test drive. If you take part in the Students-at-Large program, you lose your eligibility to transfer, so this isn’t an option if you’re set on ultimately transferring.
If you’re considering a transfer, send us an email. We help students like you defy transfer statistics to find their dream school.