Transfer essay: "I want an intellectually stimulating education at a research-oriented school"

In an essay of 300 words or less, explain your motivation to transfer from your current/previous institution to Illinois and how your academic interests and/or professional goals will be fulfilled in your intended program of study.

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When I chose NYU to pursue a degree in chemical engineering, I was extremely excited. I was going to live in the greatest city in the world and get an intellectually stimulating education. 18 months later, as I look back on the entire experience, it was not quite what I expected.

Academically, I do not feel like I'm learning as much as I would have liked to at NYU. Although NYU has a respectable and very rigorous engineering program, it does not compare well to the rest of NYU. NYU's business and film schools will always be one step ahead of the rest of the NYU pack, and these two schools are primarily responsible for NYU's reputation. The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign's engineering program, which ranks consistently among the top programs in the country, is also among the highest spenders in engineering research in America. I want to attend a research oriented school where I can practically implement my classroom knowledge, an aspect that NYU lacks in. The Research Park at UIUC is an example of what I am looking for in a university. It is home to numerous big companies as well as startups that take part in scientific research in various fields. In doing so, it also employs hundreds of interns at a time. I want to pursue a career in the energy sector, particularly focusing on increasing energy efficiency. Several companies at the Research Park such as Ameren, Industrial Heat LLC etc. deal with green technology and sustainable energy.

I do not regret going to NYU. My freshman and sophomore years have been an integral part of my academic journey but I feel like it's time for me to begin the second half of my undergraduate education at a place that truly suits my interests.

So I'm around the 300 mark. But I want to know whether I should include the negative points about NYU or not and be more specific about my career goals.

Sameer, highlight your career goals in the essay. Present it in such a manner that makes it clear to the reviewer that NYU Engineering programs cannot assist you in achieving your final goal as a professional or as a fledgling engineer upon graduation. It is not necessary for you to point out the negatives of NYU unless it relates directly to the reason that you wish to transfer schools. By discussing more of your career goals and how the University of Illinois can better help you in achieving your career plans, you will already be showing the reviewer the negatives of NYU, without being direct about it. Consider that the reviewer may already have an insight into the shortcomings of the NYU Engineering program so you need not be specific about it. After all, NYU did give you the start that you needed to be educated in this field. So keep a respectful tone regarding that university by not directly pointing out the negatives in your essay.

In this case, The approach should be mentioning your career goals with concrete points and how University of Illinois will be a better choice over NYU to reach your goal.