What makes for a successful transfer essay?

Transfer Students
1

<p>In looking at the “Why Transfer?” Common App essay, I feel it is relatively straightforward; you can inject some creativity in answering the prompt, but for the most part, simply explaining why you want to transfer and what you hope to get out of it should get the job done.</p>

<p>Still, in an increasingly competitive field of transfer applicants, its important that this essay is not only free of flaws, but also strikes the right tone to admissions officers. In writing my own transfer essay, I feel that the tone is too serious. I am not too serious of a person, but I do feel it is important to show that I am extremely serious about my academic career, and that I fully intend on making the most of the opportunities that come my way.</p>

<p>How should I go about altering my essay? What else makes transfer essays successful?</p>

2

<p>Are you referring to last year’s Common App essays, or the 2013/2014 selections?? If the latter, where did you see the “Why Transfer?” prompt, because I would be much more interested in writing that one than the ones I’m currently seeing listed.</p>

3

<p>As far as I know, the CA essay prompts have only changed for fr admission. I haven’t seen that they have changed the transfer essay from last year:</p>

<p><a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Docs/DownloadForms/2013/2013AppTR_download.pdf[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Docs/DownloadForms/2013/2013AppTR_download.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>@entomom Oh wow’ I didn’t realize that there was a difference between the essay prompts for the freshman and transfer applicants. Looks like I may have to start over now.</p>

5

<p>Here’s the link for the CA downloadable forms from last year:</p>

<p><a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/DownloadForms.aspx[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/DownloadForms.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>This should be updated when the 2013-14 CA comes out in August, but it should show you what type of information is asked for. There have not been any changes to the transfer forms in the past several years, and none for next year that I have seen, but do check in Aug to be sure.</p>

6

<p>Common App has stated that the transfer essay prompt will stay the same for 2013-14. I follow them on social media and they re-iterated this just last week.</p>

7

<p>^Thanks for the info!</p>

<p>Social what? :rolleyes:</p>

8

<p>Thank you both for the information.</p>

9

<p>A successful transfer essay should contain a topic where you as an individual can present a different picture of you amongst other applicants. In other words, stand out!</p>