Writing Transfer Essays
How to Make, not Break, Your
Application
Today’s Topics
Transfer
Essay
“DON’Ts”
Transfer
Essay
“D0s”
Choosing
a Topic
Admission!
“DOs”
Be …
Write something…
• Yourself
• Honest
• Positive
• Enthusiastic
• Original
• Relevant to Prompt
• Focused
• Formal
• About the School
• Short and Simple
“DOs”
Explain …
Avoid …
• Why you “fit” the
school
• Why the school
“fits” you
• Transcript Trouble
• Clichés
• Overly-Dramatic
Stories
• Pity Parties
• Self-Glorification
“DON’Ts”
Repeat …
Annoy …
• Info from
application
• Info from transcript
• Preach
• Whine
• Lie or Exaggerate
• Offend
“DON’Ts”
Write something …
Forget to…
• Confusing
• Poorly Organized
• Too Broad
• Generic
• Get Feedback
• Edit
• Proofread
Choosing a Topic
Something …
Begin with …
• Interesting and
Unique
• That Shows Growth
• That Shows Strengths
• Creative but Formal
• a Famous Quote
• an Engaging Story
• an Inspiring Person
• a Goal Statement
Summary
KISS
Be Yourself
Show yourself as a
“good fit”
Questions?