What makes a strong transfer college essay?
I’m thinking about transferring colleges after my freshman year and have started looking at the essay requirements for a transfer application. I know the expectations are a little different from the Common App first-year essay, but I’m not sure what specific things admissions officers want to read.
Besides explaining why I want to transfer and talking about what I’ve learned at my current school, what other elements should I include? Should I be super specific about the program I want, or focus more on personal growth?
If anyone has successfully transferred and wouldn’t mind sharing what worked (or what didn’t), I’d really appreciate the advice. I’m feeling a bit anxious about getting this right, and I’d love to know what made other people’s essays stand out.
Besides explaining why I want to transfer and talking about what I’ve learned at my current school, what other elements should I include? Should I be super specific about the program I want, or focus more on personal growth?
If anyone has successfully transferred and wouldn’t mind sharing what worked (or what didn’t), I’d really appreciate the advice. I’m feeling a bit anxious about getting this right, and I’d love to know what made other people’s essays stand out.
1 week ago
•
10 views
Dr. Craig Aimar
• 1 week ago
Advisor
A strong transfer college essay should do a few key things differently from a first-year application essay. First, it’s important to get very specific about why the school you’re applying to is a better fit for your academic and career goals than your current institution. Admissions readers want to know that you’re not just leaving for the sake of change, but that you’ve carefully thought about what their college offers that aligns with your interests and ambitions.
Citing specific professors, unique research opportunities, courses, or extracurriculars available only at the new school makes your intentions clear. For example, if you're passionate about neuroscience and the new school offers an undergraduate neurobiology research lab, mention that by name and explain how it ties into your goals. This level of detail shows that you’ve done your homework and are being intentional with your application.
Second, make sure you address your growth. Transfer essays are strongest when they illustrate how you’ve used your time at your current school to mature academically and personally. Discuss any challenges you faced, how you’ve overcome them, and what you’ve learned about your learning style, interests, or values. For instance, if you struggled with large lecture classes but found success in smaller seminars, mention how that realization has shaped what you’re looking for and why the new college is a better fit for your learning preferences.
Third, it’s smart to touch on your contribution to the campus community, just as if you were a first-year. Let the admissions team see how your experiences, skills, or interests will enrich their campus. This can be through clubs, service, classroom engagement, or other unique perspectives.
One common mistake is writing too negatively about your current institution. Instead, focus on what you crave academically or socially that your current school cannot offer. For example, when I applied to transfer, I explained that I was looking for a more hands-on engineering program, and referenced a specific design project at the new school. Keeping the tone positive and future-focused is key.
Finally, demonstrate reflection and self-awareness. Transferring is a big choice, and showing maturity in how you handle change will impress readers. If you can, have a trusted mentor or advisor read your draft for clarity and specificity.
In short: get detailed about what draws you to the new school, own your reasons for leaving, show personal growth, and highlight what you’ll bring to the new community. Being genuine, specific, and forward-thinking can make your transfer essay stand out.
Citing specific professors, unique research opportunities, courses, or extracurriculars available only at the new school makes your intentions clear. For example, if you're passionate about neuroscience and the new school offers an undergraduate neurobiology research lab, mention that by name and explain how it ties into your goals. This level of detail shows that you’ve done your homework and are being intentional with your application.
Second, make sure you address your growth. Transfer essays are strongest when they illustrate how you’ve used your time at your current school to mature academically and personally. Discuss any challenges you faced, how you’ve overcome them, and what you’ve learned about your learning style, interests, or values. For instance, if you struggled with large lecture classes but found success in smaller seminars, mention how that realization has shaped what you’re looking for and why the new college is a better fit for your learning preferences.
Third, it’s smart to touch on your contribution to the campus community, just as if you were a first-year. Let the admissions team see how your experiences, skills, or interests will enrich their campus. This can be through clubs, service, classroom engagement, or other unique perspectives.
One common mistake is writing too negatively about your current institution. Instead, focus on what you crave academically or socially that your current school cannot offer. For example, when I applied to transfer, I explained that I was looking for a more hands-on engineering program, and referenced a specific design project at the new school. Keeping the tone positive and future-focused is key.
Finally, demonstrate reflection and self-awareness. Transferring is a big choice, and showing maturity in how you handle change will impress readers. If you can, have a trusted mentor or advisor read your draft for clarity and specificity.
In short: get detailed about what draws you to the new school, own your reasons for leaving, show personal growth, and highlight what you’ll bring to the new community. Being genuine, specific, and forward-thinking can make your transfer essay stand out.
Dr. Craig Aimar
Freeland, Michigan
Ph.D. Educational Leadership, Ed.S. Educational Administration, M.Ed., B.A. Secondary Education
Experience
23 years
Rating