Things Don't Follow A Plan! Transfer Reasons & Objectives

PROMPT: Please provide a statement (250 words minimum) that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve.

Every now and then, things don't follow a plan. Things like losing weight, winning the lottery, or following your New Year's resolution. Things like moving furniture with your girlfriend, being first in line on a Black Friday sale, or expecting Paris Hilton's autobiography to be a success.

In my senior year of high school, I held firm beliefs that a public university would be my best option. My parents were my number one supporters, as an in-state university seemed like a much more affordable option than the private liberal arts colleges my high school advisors suggested. Not to mention, the prestigious reviews for the University of California's science division further motivated my dreams. I had a hard, concrete plan-I was to major in Biology and graduate in four years from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Well, much to my dismay and the unfortunate college clichĂŠ, things did not follow my plan.

During my first quarter, the campus beauty and the incredibly large classrooms amazed me. I entered my Calculus class with my roommate, surprised to find roughly 789 other freshmen packed into the grand lecture hall. What I was most surprised by was my professor, who was ant-like compared to the theatre screen that projected his PowerPoint. To put it plainly, I was shocked. I had attended a private college course during my senior year and interacted with merely fourteen other students. My entire high school was comprised of 390 students-most of them, I knew. This new found large atmosphere enveloped me as a perm number, a mere dot in the grand scheme of a college experience.

I lost myself among the sea of people I encountered and I lacked any sign of personal relations with my professors. I came to acknowledge that a public university was not the right fit for me. My intellectual curiosity was diminished by the lack of one on one connection with my professors. In fact, it was highly impractical for me to discuss any subject interest or confusion I had in depth. If anything, I was provided with graduate students for help, but I did not feel like my curiosity and creativity was stimulated through this option.

Six months later and I was enrolling in a local community college back home. "Why" might you ask? The courses are much more attentive to personal growth and independent achievement. In fact, I have come to acknowledge that the students are competitive with themselves, not each other, which cultivates a healthy learning environment. This promotion leads to students working together and striving to do better, be better, want better. Some say my decision to come back home to a community college was a risk, but I say it is well appreciated.

As a transfer student, I am once again ready for a new change. I am not looking to join a sorority, rally at a college football game, or binge drink on Thirsty Thursdays. I'm looking for a genuine college experience, a place where I can further develop my interests, foster my creativity, and share life changing experiences with a diverse student body. I have no doubt that I will thrive at a new college that can assist my passions. I am positive that I will blossom into the liberally educated and responsible young woman I aspire to be.

I am ready to reapply to schools that will allow me to explore my interests in a smaller student body. I am ready to take a variety of classes that will embody a well-rounded education that will prepare me to become a liberally educated and responsible individual. Most importantly, I am wholeheartedly ready to grow and succeed; life awaits me. Change awaits me.

You have an overall compelling story on how you went back to community college and why. Why don't you expand more on that, and I personally would recommend you say "binge drinking..." simply because you don't want to paint the wrong picture of you. Expand on the academics you wish to gain from a traditional university? & also tell how you are now ready to face your fears and what you will do differently in the sense that large number won't scare you, you identity is still intact.

Good essay though! is the process of applying as a transfer harder than freshman? (curious to know)

thank you,

I don't know what college you're looking at, but what type of college experience is it when you don't have binge drinking, football rallies, or sororities? Of course, I'm saying this from a stereotypical view gained from watching too many American high school/college movies.


Do not use "your". This is a formal essay, and "you" is informal.

Overall, this is a very good essay. It explains your issue with your previous school, as well as your aspirations for your future school. Good job! :)

Thank you kitsumi!

Any more help is highly appreciated!

Well, this is personal preference at this point but... here:


What is a perm number?


You don't really need "promotion" in this sentence.


Well worth it , maybe? Or 'well calculated '?


I think change should go before life. Since you know, you need to change before life can go on, if that makes any sense?

Also, can you look at my definition essay? Thank you :)