Honesty or Silence?

Transfer Students
1

<p>I know that this may seem stupid to some, but I had a question regarding the short answer question:</p>

<p>“Briefly discuss your school record as it reflects your ability, your motivation, and your learning accomplishments.”</p>

<p>Currently, I am debating whether or not to actually answer this question, and was hoping someone (or multiple someones) here might be able to provide some insight or advice on this.</p>

<p>My situation is that, throughout high school and college, I have almost never actually been interested or inspired to give my all for a class, the only three exemptions being AP Biology and two english classes (the reason being that these three classes were taught by two of the best teachers I have probably ever had). This is part of the reason I’d like to transfer- I know that if I were in a situation with smaller classes and profs that want to be teaching, something that I doubt I will ever find at my current university, I could get far more out of my education than I ever would otherwise.</p>

<p>However, my concern is that I have always just “done the work” (somehow managing ~4.3, weighted out of 4.5, in hs and a 4.0 my first semester of college), and that admissions officers may not look upon this, even though it is the truth, as kindly as they might look upon a blank space or explanations other people might have.</p>

<p>So, in short, I am wondering if anyone has any opinions or insight on whether it would be better to just be honest for this question, or remain silent, leave the space blank (or just use it to say that I am an Eagle Scout, which I hope will help my application, and is something I haven’t really seen a space on the application to mention), and let the admissions officers just look at the numbers and think what they will.</p>

<p>Thank you in advance for any opinions or advice you may be able to offer!

  • seth</p>
2

<p>I’m not sure how this question fits in the context of other questions on this particular school’s app. But I think the crux of what you are saying here - that you find yourself giving your all when you are the beneficiary of great teaching - is a good topic for an essay. You don’t have to highlight that you <em>didn’t</em> give your all in other classes and just “done the work.” Instead, focus on how these teachers motivated/inspired you. And how you have not found enough of this type of classroom atmosphere where you are.</p>

3

<p>I agree with the above, there is no reason that you can’t frame your response in a positive rather than negative way. I think it’s a very good sign to readers when students are actively seeking interest and satisfaction in learning, rather than simply results.</p>

<p>And I might add that nowhere in the question do they ask about your interest–only about your motivation and performance. (If anything a person has to be more motivated when they don’t have an interest to fuel performance.) So it’s not as though you would be evading the question by leaving it out.</p>

4

<p>Sorry, I didn’t mean to give that impression- I realize that I am under no obligation to explain this. My question is will it help?, or worsen the situation?, or have no effect? or some other possibility.</p>

5

<p>I think if you phrase it in the right way, playing up your desire to enjoy courses, etc. then it will help. If I were you, I’d definitely mention it, especially if you confine the dissatisfaction part mostly to your discussion of college–I mean, you must be transferring for some reason, it’s not going to be damning to say that you disliked the courses at a college you’re trying to leave.</p>