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Guide to Writing a Stellar Common App Transfer Essay

Padya Paramita

December 1, 2020

If you’re having a hard time adjusting to your college, or you’ve realized that the school you attend isn’t the right institution for you, it may be wise to search for transferring options. As you work on preparing a strong transfer application , it’s important to note that the schools you’re applying to will want to know your reason for transferring and what you would bring to your new campus. This is where a well-written Common App transfer essay comes in handy.

In the 2020-2021 application cycle, the Common App for transfer students is allowing candidates to answer the Common App personal statement prompts. Most schools also have taken the option of including the Common App transfer essay with their applications in order to understand students’ interests and motivations better. To help you put together an application that will impress admissions officers, I’ve outlined the personal essay prompts, detailed how to write a strong response to the Common App transfer essay prompt, and added final tips that can help you stand out as a compelling candidate.

The Common App Personal Statement Prompts

2020-2021 is the first application cycle during which the Common App has allowed transfer students to answer the personal statement prompts. This year, it is up to colleges whether they wish to include the Common App transfer essay among their questions as well. If you’re applying to transfer, it’s important to be aware of the personal statement prompts. These are:

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, please share your story. (650 words)
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? (650 words)
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? (650 words)
• Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma — anything of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. (650 words)
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. (650 words)
• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? (650 words)
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. (650 words)

Whichever prompt you choose, what’s important is that you tell a story that is unique to you. Writing about yourself can seem like an easy task at first glance, but when you sit down to actually brainstorm, you might reach a dead end. Where do you even begin? What experience is captivating enough to share with admissions officers? How do you narrow down your entire life story into 650 words? There’s a lot of pressure to find the right topic that will help you stand out. You can read more in detail about how to answer these in our Common App personal statement prompts 2020-2021 blog .

The Common App Transfer Essay Prompt

Now we come to the question for the actual Common App transfer essay . The prompt states:

Please provide a statement that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve. (250-600 words)

If you choose to write this essay, remember that admissions officers don’t want a three-page complaint outlining why you are dissatisfied with your current college. Your application should be geared towards what your unique interests are, why you’ve chosen to transfer, and how the college of your choice can help you achieve your goals. Since you have up to 600 words in your arsenal, you can divide your essay into two or three segments so that all of your content is organized and easy to understand. Remember that you’re no longer a high school student. Since you’ve already experienced at least one semester of college by the time you’re applying, you can elaborate on how you’ve grown in the past year as well.

Regardless of whether your reason for transfer is in search of a stronger program in your chosen field or because you wish to attend college in a warmer location, it’s important to highlight how you can uniquely contribute to the campus want to attend. The prompt clearly asks “what you hope to achieve.” This indicates that admissions officers are looking to understand what their resources can provide you with that your current school can’t. So, make sure you spend time browsing the school website, understanding the different courses and major offerings, taking note of any relevant clubs and turning this knowledge into specific examples and anecdotes as you write your essay.

Further Tips for Writing the Common App Transfer Essay

• Dedicate Significant Time to Brainstorming: Since there’s only one prompt for the Common App transfer essay , a lot of students might take it lightly. However, you must stand out and write a unique response. Don’t just come up with an anecdote on a whim. Choose examples in your writing that allow you to be as specific as possible. Ensuring that your essay topic has a cohesive connection to the rest of your application can go a long way toward convincing admissions officers that you’re a strong candidate who can succeed in their institution
• Let Your Personality Shine: The purpose of the Common App transfer essay is to get to know you . You can’t be a memorable candidate if admissions officers are unable to gauge who you are, sense what you’re passionate about, and identify your goals. Don’t just repeat your personal statement. Instead, exemplify each point as concretely as possible. Whether reading about your favorite subject or how you’ve led a particular organization, the reader must be able to get a clear picture and learn new information from every essay. 

You spend some of your most significant years in college. It’s important to ensure that you attend a school that allows you to thrive and work towards your goals. If you aren’t happy at your present college and are working on your transfer application, a stellar Common App transfer essay can go a long way in helping admissions officers get a sense of who you are and what you can bring to the college. Happy writing!

Tags : common app transfer essay , transfering colleges , transfer appilcation , Common App for Transfer Students , how to transfer

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How to write an effective transfer student common app essay.

The path to a college degree is not as clear-cut as it has been in the past. Many students do not graduate from the same college in which they enroll their freshman year.

In fact, according to  data  collected by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, over one-third of college students transferred at least once over a period of six years.

If you find yourself a part of that statistic, now you know that you’re in good company.

There are a variety of reasons for transferring to a new school.

You may have decided on a major that is not offered at your current college, decided that your current college is not the right fit, or elected the increasingly popular option of starting out at a community college to acquire skills and save money.

Whatever your reason, transferring comes with the pain of having to apply for college again .

However, as a transfer student, you have the added benefit of firsthand experience on a college campus and a better idea of what you want and need out of a school.

This information is what the Common App essay for transfer students is all about.

How is the Common App Different for Transfer Students?

In case it’s been awhile, remember that the Common Application is a website which allows college applicants to fill out one application and send it to any of the 700+ schools that accept it.

Luckily, those colleges also accept applications from transfer students.

There are small variations between colleges.

For example, some schools do not require a transfer student essay , but you have the option of sending one anyway.

The Common App asks you to answer the following question in 250-650 words:

“ Please provide a statement that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve.”  

Finding Balance in Your Essay: Reasons and Objectives

It’s important when planning your essay to think about how you will answer both parts of the above question.

If you’re a student who has decided to transfer for academic reasons, you may spend more of your essay discussing your objectives and why the schools you are applying to have a program that will put you on the path to your career goals.

However, maybe you are transferring so that you can be closer to a sick relative and take care of them while still fulfilling your dream of graduating from college.

In this case, you may want to balance discussing why family obligations are important to you  as well as  how the new school can support you in your future success.

Your own personal situation will dictate the balance of your essay.

Therefore, it’s important to be self-reflective and use your word count wisely to give colleges a well-rounded perspective about why you are choosing to transfer.

Reasons for Transferring: What to Include and What to Avoid

It’s likely that your reasons for transferring and your objectives are closely tied.

If that’s the case, you can definitely write about them in conjunction rather than clearly separating them in your essay.

Think about your reasons for transferring.

• Did you plan this transfer ahead of time by starting at a two-year school?
• Does your current school not meet your academic needs?
• Does the school climate differ from what you were expecting as a freshman?

This last reason is definitely legitimate and, in the end, you have to make the right choices that will lead to your success and happiness in college.

To that end, be cautious in your approach when describing your reasoning. This is not the time or place to trash your current college.

Maintain a consistently respectful tone.

• After every paragraph, ask yourself whether your writing evokes positivity and vision. Why?
• Colleges don’t want to admit someone who is negative or gloomy — this would diminish their campus experience. 

If you find yourself turning the “reasons for transferring” into the likes of a Facebook rant, then you should consider shortening that section and focusing on your career objectives. 

Think of the future. Think of your dreams and ambitions.

Bring the Transfer Essay to Life

When discussing your reasons, be very specific.

Instead of writing that the college “didn’t offer the classes I needed to graduate,” you might write, “I decided at the end of my sophomore year that my true passion was education, and I would like to teach elementary school. However, my current college only offers master’s degrees in education, and I would not be able to obtain a license as an undergraduate.”

One strategy for uplifting your essay is to focus on what the new college has rather than to dwell on what your current one doesn’t.

Do your research.

If you’re having a tough time thinking of perks of the new college, go to their website.

Also, visit the website of the school newspaper and academic program in which you want to be a part. 

By doing this, you can select elements that appeal to you and fit in with your dreams.

• Are there professors and other faculty members you’d like to study with?
• Does the building in which the program resides have resources you’d like to utilize?
• Are there alumni whose work you’d like to draw on add to?
• Is the university in a location that provides resources for curious minds? Are there monuments, memorials, and libraries nearby? If you choose to write about this, make sure to frame these elements within your interests. Don’t simply write about what the surrounding environment has to offer.

Rather than writing that “campus life is boring and there is nothing to do,” you may say “There are limited choices for extracurricular activities at my school. Part of my reason for transferring is because I want to become more ingrained in the campus community by participating in activities such as…”

Not only does this strategy keep you from sounding gloomy, but it also demonstrates your dedication and excitement for joining a new campus. You want colleges to think that you’re going to contribute to their campus.

This strategy converts an essay with a negative tone to one that is positive and includes more information about you as a student.

• Using details to paint a portrait of your future will also exhibit your ambitions.

Colleges love ambitious students because ambitious students become successful professionals. And successful professionals become generous donors. 

How to Sell Your Objectives by Sharing Your Passion

Obtaining a college education and deciding on a major is an extremely personal and complex decision.

When you discuss the “objectives you hope to achieve,” the enthusiasm and thought behind your choices should be evident.

Colleges want to know that you are passionate and excited about your future (as well as how they factor into your dreams).

Describe your goals in college and how accomplishing those will help you achieve your long-term career/life goals.

Add detail about the reasons why you are attracted to a new school, and why you chose this particular career path.

You might also consider questions such as:

• How will you benefit the campus community?
• How do you plan to help or improve your community or the world as a member of your field?  

While writing, don’t forget your audience. Admissions officers want to read about how you’ll benefit from and give back to campus.

Be an active player in your future. Show that you’re thinking about campus life in a larger context. 

If you are sending the Common App to only one college, it’s okay to use specific detail about that college in your essay.

However, if you are using the one essay to apply to multiple colleges, be careful. You do not want to send an email describing how you have always wanted to attend College A to College B. 

Conclusion: The Finish Line, Any Last Words

As with any college application, the essay is an opportunity to discuss anything about you that may not be apparent in the rest of the application.

After you have finished writing a draft essay, carefully go through your entire application to see if you have left out any important pieces of information.

If you follow the advice above, you will surely write a Common App transfer student essay that will wow and woo the college admissions readers. Happy writing!

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A User’s Guide to the Common App for Transfer Students

What’s covered:, what is the common app for transfer students.

• Steps to Completing the Common App for Transfer Students

Where to Get Feedback on Your College Essays

Looking to transfer colleges? The Common App is making it easier than ever with the new Common App for Transfer Students. All required materials are now in one place, so you don’t have to worry about staying on top of multiple applications and websites during an already stressful time in your life.

In this article, you’ll find tips and step-by-step instructions on how to fill out your transfer application and feel great about what you submit.

The Common Application, or Common App, is a platform used by many schools for the college application process. Since schools typically ask for the same data when it comes to personal information and a general essay, the Common App provides a singular place where applicants can enter their information. The platform then allows your selected schools access to your application. Some colleges may have individual supplemental essays that you’ll need to write, but your personal information and Common App essay are only entered once.

In the past, transfer students would have to fill out applications through each school’s transfer applications. However, the Common App now has a program available for students who are looking to transfer, making the application process that much easier.

Step 1: Creating and Logging into your account

When you go to the Common App website and click “Create an Account,” it will ask you whether you are a first-year or transfer student.

Choose “Transfer Student.” You will be asked to provide personal information to create your account.

Step 2: Navigating the Dashboard

Once you’ve created your account, a page will appear where you can add programs that you would like to apply to, arranged in alphabetical order.

You can either add directly from this list by clicking on the plus sign or search for a school using the search bar at the top of the page. Once you choose programs, you will be given the chance to review your choices and proceed to your application dashboard. If you click “Skip for Now,” you will be taken directly to your application dashboard. 

Step 3: Filling out the Common App for Transfers

Personal information.

Clicking on “Personal Information” will open this menu. 

To fill out each section, just click on the individual headers. You will need to provide communication preferences, demographics, and contact information for yourself and your parents/guardians. The Common App also offers options for financial support through the “Common App Fee Waiver” section.

Academic History

In this section, you will need to fill out your past academic information. This includes any high schools and colleges you attended; coursework you completed at your past colleges; your GPA(s); standardized test scores such as the SAT Subject Test, AP or IB tests, College Level Examination Program exams, or Senior Secondary Leaving Examinations; and Continuing Education Courses you’ve taken.

Supporting Information

This section is where you can take the opportunity to include anything that is specific to you that will help you stand out during the application process.

Things to list under “Experiences” include community engagement, extracurricular activities, family responsibilities, hobbies, volunteering, work, internships, research, and other meaningful experiences. “Achievements” can be both academic and professional. For “Documents,” this will differ based on the school. Typically, you can upload a resume, military transcript, or visa documentation if needed, and schools will list on their website whether they require any additional documents. Finally, the “Affirmation Statements” section is simply a list of statements affirming that the information you have provided is your own and that you will take responsibility for your own application process.

Program Materials

In this section, you will be provided with information about any individual application requirements for each college you are applying to.

Clicking on the button for a college will take you to its page in the Common App. “Home” houses contact information for the school, while “Questions” is a list of demographic questions compiled by the college itself. You will have to fill these out in addition to the “Personal Information” section of the Common App, as these questions are specific to each school. “Documents” is where you can upload any documentation, while “Recommendations” is where you can include any academic, personal, or professional letters of recommendation.

Step 4: Submitting the Common App for Transfer Students

While there are less sections for transfer students than for first-year applicants, the typical requirements are the same. In addition to personal information, students are still asked to provide essays, letters of recommendation, and information about extracurricular activities. Ensure that you leave time to thoroughly review your application. The Common App notifies you about any unfinished sections, but it’s best to look over everything yourself as well.

Registration for the 2021-2022 Common App for transfer students closes on July 29 at 5pm ET, so you must create your account before then. Deadlines for individual school applications differ, so be sure to consider deadlines that may have already passed when looking at schools.

After you’ve reviewed your application and have made sure you are ready to submit, go to “Submit Application.” 

Your progress bar should be completely filled. When you reach this point, click the “Submit” button. The following steps will only become visible to you once you’ve completed your application; if anything is missing, the button will be grayed out, like in the screenshot above.

Once you click “Submit,” you will be able to review your application for the last time, so take the time to thoroughly go over each section. After that, you will be directed to the payment portal for the college to which you are applying. If you have requested a Common App fee waiver, you will not be required to make a payment at this point.

Once your application fee is submitted, sign and date your application and click “Submit” on your Common App. 

Writing college essays is a daunting task. Sometimes it can feel like you’re not even sure where to begin . Luckily, CollegeVine provides peer and expert essay review to make sure that you feel like you’re putting your best foot forward.

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Common App Transfer Guide – 2024

December 8, 2023

A college diploma features the name of just one institution. Yet, for many, this hardly tells the true story of their unique college journey, which is often an amalgam of experiences across two or more postsecondary settings. In fact, at some point, approximately one-third of all U.S. college students temporarily transform into “transfer applicants,” a role that they are often thrust into with little preparation or support. This time, the transfer Common App looms before you, and too often, little guidance is available.

Transfer students come in different shapes and sizes and the particular contours of a given applicant can dictate what type of process awaits. There are those who, for financial or academic reasons, began at a community college, performed well, and are now jumping up the big leagues of a four-year university. On the other end of the spectrum, there are transfer applicants already attending a reputable four-year establishment who have their hearts set on swapping out their present location for the highly selective college of their dreams.

One common denominator is that no matter what type of transfer applicant you happen to be, you will likely be tasked with filling out the Common App for Transfer, a variation of the traditional Common App that you may have used when you originally applied to college. To assist you, the following article will address:

• Do I qualify as a transfer applicant?
• When are the transfer deadlines for colleges?
• How do I complete each section of the Common App Transfer application?
• Do I need SAT/ACT scores to transfer colleges?
• How do I approach the Common App Transfer application essay?
• What are the chances of getting accepted as a transfer applicant?

Let’s begin by exploring who qualifies as a transfer applicant.

Am I a transfer or freshman applicant?

School policies vary here. At many schools, just taking one two or four-year college course post-high school is enough to make you a transfer applicant. At other schools, you’ll need 24-30 credits under your belt before transferring is even an option. You’ll want to investigate this thoroughly before beginning the Common App transfer application. Fortunately, our Dataverse has an institution-by-institution breakdown. Check out our sortable chart  for more information.

When are transfer deadlines?

Each college sets its own transfer deadline or deadlines; some schools only have one application deadline each year while others have two. The most common time to apply as a fall transfer (for the following year) is around March. In fact, all eight Ivy League schools have annual deadlines between March 1st and March 15 th :

Many universities also offer a deadline for those wishing to start at a new school in the spring semester; these applications are typically due between October 1st and December 1st (although there are outliers). For a complete and up-to-date list of transfer deadlines for the current transfer admissions cycle visit our chart of transfer admission deadlines .

How to complete the Common App Transfer Application – A section-by-section breakdown

There are four sections to the Common App transfer application: 1) Personal Information, 2) Academic History, 3) Supporting Information, and 4) Program Materials.

Before you begin, select the schools that you plan to apply to. You can do this by navigating to “Add Program.” The schools you select will then populate in the “Program Materials” section.

Need a visual? Here’s a step-by-step tutorial:

Personal information.

This includes your basic demographic info including ethnicity, physical address, gender identity, and information about your parents/guardians. Nothing here should be too challenging.

Academic History

Here, you will enter information about your high school and college(s) as well as courses you completed in college, if required. If applicable, you’ll also self-report any standardized tests you previously took, including SAT/ACT and AP/IB exams.

There is also a space for you to input continuing education courses. These can include Coursera , edX , or LinkedIn Learning courses as well as any other type of in-person or online course/workshop.

Common App Transfer Guide (Continued)

Supporting information.

The first subcategory within this section is labeled as “Experiences.” Applicants should feel free to include any experience that helps paint a picture of how they presently spend their time, including extracurricular clubs, internships, volunteer or paid work experiences, summer programs, hobbies, or family responsibilities. The greatest emphasis should be placed on experiences that have occurred since exiting high school, so we’d suggest placing those at the top of your list.

Relevant high school activities can be included, but only when they directly connect to present pursuits (i.e. a current business major was President of his Future Business Leaders of America chapter in high school). Ideally, any high school activities that you include will have occurred during your junior and/or senior years of high school.

When you’re ready to add an experience, you’ll first choose an “Experience Type,” which includes Employment, Research, Extracurricular Activities, Volunteer, and Internship.

After selecting the appropriate category, you’ll have the ability to add more information about the organization you are (or were) a part of, your supervisor’s information, and the dates of the experience. You’ll also be able to note whether the experience was part-time, full-time, or temporary. Finally, the “Experience Details” area will require the following:

• Title of the Experience (60 characters). This should be the role you held within the organization, ex. “President” or “Software Intern.”
• Type of Recognition . You can choose from Compensated, Received Academic Credit, or Volunteer.
• Description/Key Responsibilities (600 characters). Similar to the Activities section of the freshman Common App , focus on offering specific details about your level of involvement and leadership along with relevant accomplishments and measurable impact.

The second subcategory within this section is labeled as “Achievements.” You can add athletic awards, academic awards/honors such as Dean’s List or membership in an honor society, publications, and professional achievements/recognition, among others. Collegiate achievements are preferred, but significant high school achievements (i.e., those at the national or international level, such as AP Scholar with Distinction or National Merit Semifinalist) can be added.

To add an achievement, you’ll first select an “Achievement Type.” These include Publications, Honors, or Awards. You’ll then complete the following sections:

• Achievement Details (60 characters). This should be the name of the award you won or recognition received, such as “Dean’s List.”
• Name of Presenting Organization (60 characters). In this section, you’ll insert the name of the organization or school through which you received recognition.
• Issued Date.  For recognition you’ve received more than once, such as being named to your college’s Dean’s List, you’ll want to choose the earliest date that you received recognition.
• Brief description (600 characters). Here, you can provide several sentences of context and/or note the award criteria, such as the minimum GPA required to earn Dean’s List recognition.

Finally, in the third subcategory, “Documents,” you’ll have the opportunity to upload supporting documentation such as a resume, visa documentation, or military transcript.

Program Materials

This area is akin to the supplemental applications that you filled out during the freshman application cycle. In this section, you must address school-specific essays and questions that require a short response. It’s important to always check the “Questions” tab within the Program Materials section as some schools only list their essay(s) here. Other schools will list the main essay in the “Documents” section, which can be a source of confusion. Some schools list essays in both places. Within the “Documents” tab, you will also find a list of documentation required by each prospective transfer institution, which may include items such as college transcripts, a mid-term report, or a resume. You can very easily upload directly into the form.

On the Common App transfer application, the “Recommendations” tab is where you’ll add recommenders.

Need a quick breakdown of how that works? Watch here:

Do i have to submit standardized test scores.

Ever since the arrival of COVID in 2020, the majority of American colleges have introduced  test-optional policies . These policies often extend to transfer students as well. Some schools, like the UC and CSU systems, have even gone test-blind. This means that they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. To see which type of policy your prospective institution(s) have adopted, view our complete list of test-blind and test-optional colleges.

Overall, 99% of colleges in 2024 will not require transfer students to submit test scores. However, at highly selective schools, submitting strong test scores may greatly improve your chances. For example, elite SAT scores will help you if transferring to Ivy League or Ivy-equivalent institutions.

The Common App Transfer Essay

Not every college requires an essay as part of their transfer application; however, plenty of selective institutions do. Many present applicants with a prompt that asks them, in essence, to explain why they want to transfer. For example:

 “The personal statement helps colleges get to know you better as a person and a student. Please provide a statement discussing your educational path. How does continuing your education at a new institution help you achieve your future goals?” 

In the words of Kierkegaard, “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” Briefly tell them where you have been and then move the conversation toward the future. As you discuss your educational journey so far and reasons for transferring, it’s important to avoid bashing your current school. Instead, focus on the opportunities your current school has provided you with and how you’ve taken advantage of them. Then, share why you’ll be better served at a different institution.

The best reasons for transferring are grounded in academics; any social or environmental factors are secondary considerations.  After taking several data science courses, perhaps you’ve decided you’d like to pursue a major in data science…but that option isn’t available at your current college. Alternatively, perhaps you’ve discovered that you’d like to attend a university with a more robust and supportive undergraduate research environment. Finally, after you explain how your past experience has brought you to this moment, make sure that you are crystal clear about your vision for the great things that lie ahead.

It’s important to note that Common App transfer essay requirements vary significantly depending on the school. Some schools will only require a version of the above essay prompt; others will ask students to also write a traditional personal statement and/or answer supplemental essay questions on topics that range from “Why Us?” to community-focused or extracurricular activity essays. Therefore, it’s essential to look at the various prompts you’ll need to write before getting started in order to figure out the balance of information across the application. Moreover, if you’re reapplying to a school that you applied to as a freshman, it should go without saying that you’ll need to write new essays.

What are my chances of getting accepted?

Of course, the answer to this question depends on whether you are applying to Columbia University (11% transfer acceptance rate) or the University of Missouri-Columbia (68% transfer acceptance rate). Last year, schools such as Bowdoin, Bates, Pomona, and Amherst all accepted fewer than 10% of applicants. Meanwhile, other stellar schools like George Mason, the University of Georgia, Indiana University, Elon, Clemson, and the University at Buffalo accepted the majority of those who applied.

Note: All of the previously mentioned schools are featured in College Transitions’ book— Colleges Worth Your Money: What America’s Top Schools Can Do for You  (Rowman & Littlefield, 2023).

It is also important to understand that transfer rates can be extremely volatile from year to year. Figures can be swayed by institutional needs and the number of open slots. For example, Dartmouth’s transfer acceptance rate has hovered between 0.5% and 10% in recent years.

Common App Transfer Guide – Final Thoughts

As a transfer applicant, you’ll be required to do things that you were not asked to do as a freshman applicant. For example, you may be required to complete a  mid-term report or  college report , and provide transcripts from both your high school and current college. You also need to approach your essays differently and may need to line up recommendation letters. Although navigating the transfer application process takes a solid amount of time and energy, you’ll be successful as long you stay highly organized, motivated, and focused on your future goals.

Andrew Belasco

A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.

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Home » The Ultimate Guide for Transfer Applicants Using the Common App

The Ultimate Guide for Transfer Applicants Using the Common App

For transfer students, applying to college can be a daunting process. However, with the Common App, the application process becomes streamlined and straightforward. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about using the Common App as a transfer applicant (most of this should sound familiar to you). We’ll provide tips and strategies to help you stand out in your application and answer frequently asked questions about using the Common App as a transfer student. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the college transfer process, this guide will help ensure your success.

Benefits of Using the Common App for Transfer Applications

For transfer students seeking to apply to multiple colleges, the Common App offers a convenient solution by allowing you to submit one application . Moreover, it simplifies the process of transferring information from previous applications since all data is centralized on this platform.

Apart from simplifying the application process, the Common App also provides valuable resources and support to students. This can save you a considerable amount of time and effort, especially when navigating through the complexities of college applications. Moreover, many colleges offer fee waivers or other incentives for utilizing this platform. As a result, it comes as no surprise that so many transfer students choose to apply through the Common App.

Key Dates for Transfer Students Using the Common App

Staying on top of deadlines is crucial for transfer students using the Common App. Each school may have specific application requirements and due dates, so it’s essential to keep track of them all. The Common App has its own deadlines for transfer applicants, which may differ from regular decision deadlines. If you are considering applying for a fall transfer, the most common deadline is around March. This timeline applies to all eight Ivy League schools, as they have annual deadlines in March. It’s important to keep in mind that each school may have different requirements and application procedures, so it’s essential to do your research and plan accordingly. In addition, some schools offer rolling admissions, meaning that the earlier you apply, the better your chances of admission. Remember to submit your application as early as possible to avoid any last-minute stress.

Navigating the Common App as a Transfer Applicant

For transfer applicants using the Common App, it’s essential to stay organized and keep track of all the application requirements and deadlines. The first step is to create a Common App account and select the colleges you’re interested in applying to. Once you’ve identified your target schools, review each college’s specific application requirements, which will include transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation, and test scores. The Common App also offers a transfer credit preview tool that helps applicants understand how their previous coursework will transfer to their new college. Remember to track the status of your application and reach out to individual schools with any questions or concerns about the transfer process.

Common App Essay Tips for Transfer Students

Writing a persuasive essay is an essential component of the transfer application process, and the Common App offers several prompts to choose from. Selecting the appropriate prompt is critical because it allows you to showcase your strengths and aspirations effectively. To do this, you must understand each prompt’s nuances and select one that aligns with your transfer journey. Personal anecdotes and experiences can help make your essay unique and unforgettable while highlighting how transferring will help you achieve your academic and career goals.

Highlight your reasons for transferring and how the new college fits into your academic and career goals. People don’t always do this part well. Take time to research the new college and its transfer policies before applying. The essay section is where you can truly shine by explaining any challenges or setbacks you faced during your previous year(s) in college and how you overcame them. Ultimately, a compelling transfer essay should provide insight into who you are as a person, why you wish to transfer, and how transferring will help you reach your full potential academically and professionally.

Remember to proofread and edit your essay thoroughly before submission – it can make all the difference in setting yourself apart from other applicants. A well-crafted essay that is free of grammatical errors and typos not only demonstrates your attention to detail but also reflects positively on your communication skills. Additionally, consider having someone else read your essay to provide constructive feedback and a fresh perspective.

Can I Reuse My Common App Essay For Transfer Applications?

Yes, it is possible to reuse your Common App essay for transfer applications. The Common App essay prompts remain the same each year, so if your initial essay addresses one of the prompts, you can certainly reuse it for your transfer applications. 

While you can, you probably shouldn’t. Figure out whether the essay you want to reuse still effectively represents your goals, experiences, and reasons for transferring. If your circumstances or motivations have significantly changed since you first wrote the essay, you may need to revise it to align with your current situation. Additionally, some colleges and universities may have their own essay prompts or requirements for transfer applicants, so it’s essential to review each institution’s application guidelines to ensure your essay meets their specific criteria.

Do Colleges Prefer Transfer Applicants Using the Common App?

When it comes to transfer applications, many colleges and universities accept the Common App, making the process more streamlined for applicants. One advantage of using the Common App is that it allows transfer applicants to apply to multiple schools at once with ease. However, colleges do not show preference towards transfer applicants using the Common App versus those who use their own application. Additionally, the platform allows for easy submission of supporting documents such as transcripts and letters of recommendation, simplifying the application process further.

Many prestigious universities, including Harvard, Yale, and Columbia, accept transfer applications via the Common App. Schools that don’t accept transfer applications via the common app include schools such as Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the University of California system. These schools have their own transfer application processes in place that are separate from the Common App. It’s important for transfer applicants to carefully review each school’s website and requirements to ensure they are using the correct application platform. Keep in mind that regardless of which platform you use to apply, it’s critical to demonstrate why you are a strong fit for the school and how transferring will benefit your academic and career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

As a transfer applicant, it’s natural to have questions about the college application process and the platforms available to you. Below are some frequently asked questions that can help guide you:

1. What is the Common App, and how does it work for transfer applicants?

– The Common App is a college application platform used by over 900 colleges and universities in the United States. As a transfer applicant, you can use the platform to apply to multiple schools at once by filling out one main application and supplementing it with additional materials required by each school.

2. How do I know if a college accepts the Common App for transfer applications?

– You can check if a college accepts the Common App by visiting their website or searching for them on the Common App Website . The list of schools will indicate if they accept transfer applications through the platform.

3. What supporting documents do I need to submit through the Common App as a transfer applicant?

– Transfer applicants typically need to submit transcripts from all colleges attended, letters of recommendation from professors or employers, and a personal statement. Some schools may also require additional materials such as a resume or an essay specific to that school.

4. How can I ensure my transfer application stands out on the Common App platform?

– To ensure your transfer application stands out, carefully review each school’s requirements and deadlines before applying. Take time to highlight any unique qualities or experiences that make you a strong candidate for each school. Make sure to proofread and double-check all materials for accuracy and completeness before submitting. Additionally, consider reaching out to admissions counselors or attending virtual information sessions to demonstrate your interest in the school and gain more insight into their transfer process.

The Common App is an excellent tool that simplifies the transfer application process, effectively saving time and energy. Book a free consultation with us to learn more about how to ace your transfer application using the Common App or any other platform. Transfer students often face low acceptance rates at top schools, making it essential to distinguish themselves from other applicants. Our expert team can assist you in crafting a compelling one that stands out from the rest. With our guidance and support, you can increase your chances of success and secure admission to your dream school!

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Common App Essays | 7 Strong Examples with Commentary

Published on November 19, 2021 by Kirsten Courault . Revised on May 31, 2023.

If you’re applying for college via the Common App , you’ll have to write an essay in response to one of seven prompts.

Table of contents

What is the common application essay, prompt 1: background, identity, interest, or talent, prompt 2: overcoming challenges, prompt 3: questioning a belief or idea, prompt 4: appreciating an influential person, prompt 5: transformative event, prompt 6: interest or hobby that inspires learning, prompt 7: free topic, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

The Common Application, or Common App , is a college application portal that is accepted by more than 900 schools.

Within the Common App is your main essay, a primary writing sample that all your prospective schools will read to evaluate your critical thinking skills and value as a student. Since this essay is read by many colleges, avoid mentioning any college names or programs. Instead, save tailored answers for the supplementary school-specific essays within the Common App.

Regardless of your prompt choice, admissions officers will look for an ability to clearly and creatively communicate your ideas based on the selected prompt.

We’ve provided seven essay examples, one for each of the Common App prompts. After each essay, we’ve provided a table with commentary on the essay’s narrative, writing style and tone, demonstrated traits, and self-reflection.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

This essay explores the student’s emotional journey toward overcoming her father’s neglect through gymnastics discipline.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

When “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” began to play, it was my signal to lay out a winning floor routine. Round off. Back handspring. Double back layout. Stick!

Instead, I jolted off the floor, landing out of bounds. Over the past week, I hadn’t landed that pass once, and regionals were only seven days away. I heaved a heavy sigh and stomped over to the bench.

Coach Farkas saw my consternation. “Mona, get out of your head. You’re way too preoccupied with your tumbling passes. You could do them in your sleep!”

That was the problem. I was dreaming of tumbling and missing my landings, waking up in a cold sweat. The stress felt overwhelming.

“Stretch out. You’re done for tonight.”

I walked home from the gym that had been my second home since fourth grade. Yet my anxiety was increasing every time I practiced.

I startled my mom. “You’re home early! Wait! You walked? Mona, what’s going on?!”

I slumped down at the kitchen table. “Don’t know.”

She sat down across from me. “Does it have anything to do with your father texting you a couple of weeks ago about coming to see you at regionals?”

“So what?! Why does it matter anymore?” He walked out when I was 10 and never looked back. Still, dear ol’ Dad always had a way of resurfacing when I least expected him.

“It still matters because when you hear from him, you tend to crumble. Or have you not noticed?” She offered a knowing wink and a compassionate smile.

I started gymnastics right after Dad left. The coaches said I was a natural: short, muscular, and flexible. All I knew was that the more I improved, the more confident I felt. Gymnastics made me feel powerful, so I gave it my full energy and dedication.

The floor routine became my specialty, and my performances were soon elevating our team score. The mat, solid and stable, became a place to explore and express my internal struggles. Over the years, no matter how angry I felt, the floor mat was there to absorb my frustration.

The bars, beam, and vault were less forgiving because I knew I could fall. My performances in those events were respectable. But, the floor? Sometimes, I had wildly creative and beautiful routines, while other times were disastrous. Sadly, my floor routine had never been consistent.

That Saturday afternoon, I slipped into the empty gym and walked over to the mat. I sat down and touched its carpeted surface. After a few minutes, my cheeks were wet with the bitter disappointment of a dad who only showed up when it was convenient for him. I ruminated on the years of practices and meets where I had channeled my resentment into acrobatics and dance moves, resolved to rise higher than his indifference.

I saw then that my deepest wounds were inextricably entangled with my greatest passion. They needed to be permanently separated. While my anger had first served to launch me into gymnastics, before long, I had started serving my anger.

Anger is a cruel master. It corrupts everything it touches, even something as beautiful as a well-choreographed floor routine.

I changed my music days before regionals. “The Devil” no longer had a place in my routine. Instead, I chose an energetic cyberpunk soundtrack that inspired me to perform with passion and laser focus. Dad made an obligatory appearance at regionals, but he left before I could talk to him.

It didn’t matter this time. I stuck every landing in my routine. Anger no longer controlled me. I was finally free.

Word count: 601

This essay shows how the challenges the student faced in caring for her sister with autism resulted in an unexpected path forward in her education.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

I never had a choice.

My baby sister was born severely autistic, which meant that every detail of our home life was repeatedly adjusted to manage her condition. I couldn’t go to bed without fearing that Mindy would wake up screaming with that hoarse little voice of hers. I couldn’t have friends over on weekends because we never knew if our entire family would need to shift into crisis mode to help Mindy regain control.

We couldn’t take a family vacation because Mindy would start hitting us during a long car ride when she didn’t want to sit there anymore. We couldn’t even celebrate Christmas like a normal family because Mindy would shriek and run away when we tried to give her presents.

I was five years old when Mindy was born. For the first ten years, I did everything I could to help my mom with Mindy. But Mom was depressed and would often stare out the window, as if transfixed by the view. Dad was no help either. He used his job as an excuse to be away from home. So, I tried to make up for both of them and rescue Mindy however I could whenever she needed it.

However, one day, when I was slowly driving Mindy around with the windows down, trying to lull her into a calmer state, we passed two of my former classmates from middle school. They heard Mindy growling her disapproval as the ride was getting long for her. One of them turned to the other and announced, “Oh my God! Marabeth brought her pet monster out for a drive!” They laughed hysterically and ran down the street.

After that day, I defied my parents at every turn. I also ignored Mindy. I even stopped doing homework. I purposely “got in with the wrong crowd” and did whatever they did.

My high school counselor Ms. Martinez saw through it all. She knew my family’s situation well. It didn’t take her long to guess what had probably happened.

“Marabeth, I get it. My brother has Down syndrome. It was really hard growing up with him as a brother. The other kids were pretty mean about it, especially in high school.”

I doubted she understood. “Yeah. So?”

“I’m guessing something happened that hurt or embarrassed you.”

“I’m so sorry. I can only imagine how you must have felt.”

It must have been the way she said it because I suddenly found myself sobbing into my trembling, cupped hands.

Ms. Martinez and I met every Friday after that for the rest of the year. Her stories of how she struggled to embrace living with and loving her brother created a bridge to my pain and then my healing. She explained that her challenges led her to pursue a degree in counseling so that she could offer other people what no one had given her.

I thought that Mindy was the end of my life, but, because of Ms. Martinez’s example and kindness, I can now see that Mindy is a gift, pointing me toward my future.

Now, I’m applying to study psychology so that I can go on to earn my master’s degree in counseling. I’m learning to forgive my parents for their mistakes, and I’m back in Mindy’s life again, but this time as a sister, not a savior. My choice.

Word Count: 553

This essay illustrates a student’s courage in challenging his culture’s constructs of manhood and changing his course while positively affecting his father in the process.

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

“No son of mine is gonna march around a football field wearing tail feathers while all the real men are playing football!”

I took a step backward and tried not to appear as off-balance as I felt. In my excitement, I had blurted out more information than my father could handle:

“Dad! I made the marching band as a freshman! Nobody does that—I mean nobody!”

As soon as I had said it, I wished I could recall those words. How could I forget that 26 years earlier, he had been the starting wide receiver for the state-champion Tigers on the same field?!

Still, when I opened the email on that scorching hot August afternoon, I was thrilled that five months of practicing every possible major and harmonic minor scale—two octaves up and two octaves down—had made the difference. I had busted reed after reed, trying not to puff my cheeks while moving my fingers in a precise cadence.

I knew he had heard me continually practicing in my room, yet he seemed to ignore all the parts of me that were incongruous with his vision of manhood:

Ford F-150 4x4s. Pheasant hunting. The Nebraska Cornhuskers.

I never had to wonder what he valued. For years, I genuinely shared his interests. But, in the fall of eighth grade, I heard Kyle Wheeling play a saxophone solo during the homecoming marching band halftime show. My dad took me to every football game to teach me the plays, but that night, all I could think about was Kyle’s bluesy improv at halftime.

During Thanksgiving break, I got my mom to drive me into Omaha to rent my instrument at Dietze Music, and, soon after, I started private lessons with Mr. Ken. Before long, I was spending hours in my room, exploring each nuance of my shiny Yamaha alto sax, anticipating my audition for the Marching Tigers at the end of the spring semester.

During those months of practice, I realized that I couldn’t hide my newfound interest forever, especially not from the football players who were going to endlessly taunt me. But not all the guys played football. Some were in choir and theater. Quite a few guys were in the marching band. In fact, the Marching Tigers had won the grand prize in their division at last year’s state showdown in Lincoln.

I was excited! They were the champions, and I was about to become a part of their legacy.

Yet, that afternoon, a sense of anxiety brewed in my belly. I knew I had to talk to him.

He was sweeping the grass clippings off of the sidewalk. He nodded.

“I need to tell you something.”

He looked up.

“I know that you know about my sax because you hear me practicing. I like it a lot, and I’m becoming pretty good at it. I still care about what you like, but I’m starting to like some other things more. I hope you’ll be proud of me whatever I choose.”

He studied the cracks in the driveway. “I am proud of you. I just figured you’d play football.”

We never talked about it again, but that fall, he was in the stands when our marching band won the state championship in Lincoln for the second time. In fact, for the next four years, he never left the stands during halftime until the marching band had performed. He was even in the audience for every performance of “Our Town” at the end of my junior year. I played the Stage Manager who reveals the show’s theme: everything changes gradually.

I know it’s true. Things do change over time, even out here in central Nebraska. I know because I’ve changed, and my dad has changed, too. I just needed the courage to go first.

Word count: 626

The student demonstrates how his teacher giving him an unexpected bad grade was the catalyst for his becoming a better writer.

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

I stared in disbelief at the big red letter at the top of my paper: D. 

Never in my entire high school career had I seen that letter at the top of any paper, unless it was at the beginning of my first name. 

I had a 4.796 GPA. I had taken every pre-AP and AP course offered. My teachers had praised my writing skills! However, Mr. Trimble didn’t think so, and he let me know it:

“Darwin, in the future, I believe you can do better if you fully apply yourself.” 

I furiously scanned the paper for corrections. Not even one! Grammar and syntax? Perfect. Spelling? Impeccable. Sentence and paragraph structure? Precise and indisputable, as always. 

Was he trying to ruin my GPA? Cooper was clearly his favorite, and we were neck and neck for valedictorian, which was only one year away. Maybe they were conspiring to take me down. 

Thankfully, AP Composition was my last class. I fled the room and ran to my car. Defiant tears stained my cheeks as I screeched my tires and roared out of the parking lot. When I got home, I shoved in my AirPods, flopped on my bed, and buried my head under the pillow. 

I awoke to my sister, Daria, gently shaking my arm. “I know what happened, D. Trimble stopped me in the hall after school.”

“I’m sure he did. He’s trying to ruin my life.”

“That’s not what he told me. You should talk to him, D.”

The next day, although I tried to avoid Mr. Trimble at all costs, I almost tripped over him as I was coming out of the bathroom.

“Darwin, can we talk?” 

He walked me down the hall to his room. “Do you know that you’re one of the best writers I’ve ever had in AP Comp?” 

“Then why’d you do it?” 

“Because you’re better than you know, Darwin. You impress with your perfect presentations, and your teachers reward you with A’s and praise. I do frequent the teacher’s lounge, you know.” 

“So I know you’re not trying.”

I locked eyes with him and glared. 

“You’ve never had to try because you have a gift. And, in the midst of the acclaim, you’ve never pushed yourself to discover your true capabilities.”

“So you give me a D?!”

“It got your attention.”

“You’re not going to leave it, are you?”

“Oh, the D stands. You didn’t apply yourself. You’ll have to earn your way out with your other papers.” 

I gained a new understanding of the meaning of ambivalence. Part of me was furious at the injustice of the situation, but I also felt strangely challenged and intrigued. I joined a local writer’s co-op and studied K. M. Weiland’s artistic writing techniques. 

Multiple drafts, track changes, and constructive criticism became my new world. I stopped taking Mr. Trimble’s criticism personally and began to see it as a precious tool to bolster me, not break me down. 

Last week, the New York Public Library notified me that I was named one of five finalists for the Young Lions Fiction Award. They described my collection of short stories as “fresh, imaginative, and captivating.” 

I never thought I could be grateful for a D, but Mr. Trimble’s insightful courage was the catalyst that transformed my writing and my character. Just because other people applaud you for being the best doesn’t mean you’re doing your best . 

AP Composition is now recorded as an A on my high school transcript, and Cooper and I are still locked in a tight race for the finish line. But, thanks to Mr. Trimble, I have developed a different paradigm for evaluation: my best. And the more I apply myself, the better my best becomes. 

Word Count: 627

This student narrates how she initially went to church for a boy but instead ended up confronting her selfishness by helping others.

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Originally, I went to church not because I was searching for Jesus but because I liked a boy.

Isaac Ono wasn’t the most athletic boy in our class, nor was he the cutest. But I was amazed by his unusual kindness toward everyone. If someone was alone or left out, he’d walk up to them and say hello or invite them to hang out with him and his friends.

I started waking up at 7:30 a.m. every Sunday morning to attend Grace Hills Presbyterian, where Isaac’s father was the pastor. I would strategically sit in a pew not too close but close enough to Isaac that when the entire congregation was instructed to say “Peace be with you,” I could “happen” to shake Isaac’s hand and make small talk.

One service, as I was staring at the back of Isaac’s head, pondering what to say to him, my hearing suddenly tuned in to his father’s sermon.

“There’s no such thing as a good or bad person.”

My eyes snapped onto Pastor Marcus.

“I used to think I was a good person who came from a respectable family and did nice things. But people aren’t inherently good or bad. They just make good or bad choices.”

My mind raced through a mental checklist of whether my past actions fell mostly into the former or latter category.

“As it says in Deuteronomy 30:15, ‘I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.’ Follow in the footsteps of Jesus and do good.”

I glanced to my left and saw Margaret, underlining passages in her study Bible and taking copious notes.

Months earlier, I had befriended Margaret. We had fourth-period Spanish together but hadn’t interacted much. She was friends with Isaac, so I started hanging out with her to get closer to him. But eventually, the two of us were spending hours in the Starbucks parking lot having intense discussions about religion, boys, and our futures until we had to return home before curfew.

After hearing the pastor’s sermon, I realized that what I had admired about Isaac was also present in Margaret and other people at church: a welcoming spirit. I’m pretty sure Margaret knew of my ulterior motives for befriending her, but she never called me out on it.

After that day, I started paying more attention to Pastor Marcus’s sermons and less attention to Isaac. One year, our youth group served Christmas Eve dinner to the homeless and ate with them. I sat across from a woman named Lila who told me how child services had taken away her four-year-old daughter because of her financial and living situation.

A few days later, as I sat curled up reading the book of James, my heart suddenly felt heavy.

“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?”

I thought back to Pastor Marcus’s sermon on good and bad actions, Lila and her daughter, and the times I had passed people in need without even saying hello.

I decided to put my faith into action. The next week, I started volunteering at the front desk of a women’s shelter, helping women fill out forms or watching their kids while they talked with social workers.

From working for the past year at the women’s shelter, I now know I want to major in social work, caring for others instead of focusing on myself. I may not be a good person (or a bad one), but I can make good choices, helping others with every opportunity God gives me.

Word count: 622

This essay shows how a student’s natural affinity for solving a Rubik’s cube developed her self-understanding, academic achievement, and inspiration for her future career.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

The worst part about writing is putting down my Rubik’s cube so that I can use my hands to type. That’s usually the worst part of tackling my to-do list: setting aside my Rubik’s cube. My parents call it an obsession. But, for me, solving a Rubik’s cube challenges my brain as nothing else can.

It started on my ninth birthday. I invited three friends for a sleepover party, and I waited to open my presents right before bed. Wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows flew through the air as I oohed and aahed over each delightful gift! However, it was the last gift—a 3 x 3 x 3 cube of little squares covered in red, green, blue, yellow, white, and orange—that intrigued me.

I was horrified when Bekka ripped it out of my hands and messed it all up! I had no idea how to make all the sides match again. I waited until my friends were fast asleep. Then, I grabbed that cube and studied it under my blanket with a flashlight, determined to figure out how to restore it to its former pristine state.

Within a few weeks, I had discovered the secret. To practice, I’d take my cube with me to recess and let the other kids time me while I solved it in front of them. The better I became, the more they gathered around. But I soon realized that their attention didn’t matter all that much. I loved solving cubes for hours wherever I was: at lunch, riding in the car, or alone in my room.

Cross. White corners. Middle-layer edges. Yellow cross. Sune and anitsune. 

The sequential algorithms became second nature, and with the assistance of a little black digital timer, I strove to solve the cube faster , each time attempting to beat my previous record. I watched speed solvers on YouTube, like Australia’s Feliks Zemdegs and Max Park from Massachusetts, but I wasn’t motivated to compete as they did. I watched their videos to learn how to improve my time. I liked finding new, more efficient ways of mastering the essential 78 separate cube-solving algorithms.

Now, I understand why my passion for my Rubik’s cube has never waned. Learning and applying the various algorithms soothes my brain and centers my emotions, especially when I feel overwhelmed from being around other people. Don’t get me wrong: I like other people—just in doses.

While some people get recharged by spending time with others, I can finally breathe when I’m alone with my cube. Our psychology teacher says the difference between an extrovert and an introvert is the situations that trigger their brains to produce dopamine. For me, it’s time away, alone, flipping through cube patterns to set a new personal best.

Sometimes, the world doesn’t cooperate with introverts, requiring them to interact with many people throughout the day. That’s why you’ll often find me in the stairwell or a library corner attempting to master another one of the 42 quintillion ways to solve a cube. My parents tease me that when I’ve “had enough” of anything, my fingers get a Rubik’s itch, and I suddenly disappear. I’m usually occupied for a while, but when I finally emerge, I feel centered, prepared to tackle my next task.

Secretly, I credit my cube with helping me earn top marks in AP Calculus, Chemistry, and Physics. It’s also responsible for my interest in computer engineering. It seems I just can’t get enough of those algorithms, which is why I want to study the design and implementation of cybersecurity software—all thanks to my Rubik’s cube.

Just don’t tell my parents! It would ruin all the fun!

Word count: 607

In this free topic essay, the student uses a montage structure inspired by the TV show Iron Chef America to demonstrate his best leadership moments.

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Iron Chef America: College Essay Edition

The time has come to answer college’s most difficult question: Whose story shows glory?

This is … Iron Chef America: College Essay Edition!

Welcome to Kitchen Stadium! Today we have Chef Brett Lowell. Chef Brett will be put to the test to prove he has what it takes to attend university next fall.

And the secret ingredient is … leadership! He must include leadership in each of his dishes, which will later be evaluated by a panel of admissions judges.

So now, America, with a creative mind and empty paper, I say unto you in the words of my teacher: “Let’s write!”

Appetizer: My first leadership experience

A mountain of mismatched socks, wrinkled jeans, and my dad’s unironed dress shirts sat in front of me. Laundry was just one of many chores that welcomed me home once I returned from my after-school job at Baskin Robbins, a gig I had taken last year to help Dad pay the rent. A few years earlier, I wasn’t prepared to cook dinners, pay utility bills, or pick up and drop off my brothers. I thought those jobs were reserved for parents. However, when my father was working double shifts at the power plant and my mom was living in Tucson with her new husband, Bill, I stepped up and took care of the house and my two younger brothers.

Main course: My best leadership experience

Between waiting for the pasta water to boil and for the next laundry cycle to be finished, I squeezed in solving a few practice precalculus problems to prepare for the following week’s mathletics competition. I liked how the equations always had clear, clean answers, which calmed me among the mounting responsibilities of home life. After leading my team to the Minnesota State Finals for two years in a row, I was voted team captain. Although my home responsibilities often competed with my mathlete duties, I tried to be as productive as possible in my free time. On the bus ride home, I would often tackle 10 to 20 functions or budget the following week’s meals and corresponding grocery list. My junior year was rough, but both my home and my mathlete team needed me.

Dessert: My future leadership hopes 

The first thing I ever baked was a chocolate cake in middle school. This was around the time that Mom had just moved out and I was struggling with algebra. Troubles aside, one day my younger brother Simon needed a contribution for his school’s annual bake sale, and the PTA moms wouldn’t accept anything store-bought. So I carefully measured out the teaspoons and cups of various flours, powders, and oils, which resulted in a drooping, too-salty disaster.

Four years later, after a bakery’s worth of confections and many hours of study, I’ve perfected my German chocolate cake and am on my way to mastering Calculus AB. I’ve also thrown out the bitter-tasting parts of my past such as my resentment and anger toward my mom. I still miss having her at home, but whenever I have a baking question or want to update her on my mathlete team’s success, I call her or chat with her over text.

Whether in school or life, I see problems as opportunities, not obstacles, to find a better way to solve them more efficiently. I hope to continue improving my problem-solving skills next fall by majoring in mathematics and statistics.

Time’s up! 

We hope you’ve enjoyed this tasting of Chef Lowell’s leadership experiences. Next fall, tune in to see him craft new leadership adventures in college. He’s open to refining his technique and discovering new recipes.

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The Common App essay is your primary writing sample within the Common Application, a college application portal accepted by more than 900 schools. All your prospective schools that accept the Common App will read this essay to understand your character, background, and value as a potential student.

Since this essay is read by many colleges, avoid mentioning any college names or programs; instead, save tailored answers for the supplementary school-specific essays within the Common App.

When writing your Common App essay , choose a prompt that sparks your interest and that you can connect to a unique personal story.

No matter which prompt you choose, admissions officers are more interested in your ability to demonstrate personal development , insight, or motivation for a certain area of study.

To decide on a good college essay topic , spend time thoughtfully answering brainstorming questions. If you still have trouble identifying topics, try the following two strategies:

• Identify your qualities → Brainstorm stories that demonstrate these qualities
• Identify memorable stories → Connect your qualities to these stories

You can also ask family, friends, or mentors to help you brainstorm topics, give feedback on your potential essay topics, or recall key stories that showcase your qualities.

A standout college essay has several key ingredients:

• A unique, personally meaningful topic
• A memorable introduction with vivid imagery or an intriguing hook
• Specific stories and language that show instead of telling
• Vulnerability that’s authentic but not aimed at soliciting sympathy
• Clear writing in an appropriate style and tone
• A conclusion that offers deep insight or a creative ending

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Courault, K. (2023, May 31). Common App Essays | 7 Strong Examples with Commentary. Scribbr. Retrieved April 1, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/college-essay/common-app-examples/

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, is there a common app essay for transfer students.

Hey everyone, I'm planning to transfer and I heard that the Common App has some kind of essay. Can someone clarify if there's a specific Common App essay for transfer students or how it's different from the first-year application essay?

Absolutely, there is a specific essay for transfer students on the Common Application. The transfer application provides a single essay prompt that asks you to explain your reasons for transferring and to describe the goals you hope to achieve: 'The personal statement helps colleges get to know you better as a person and a student. Please provide a statement discussing your educational path. How does continuing your education at a new institution help you achieve your future goals?'

Keep in mind that the word limit for the transfer essay is typically 650 words, the same as the first-year essay. This is your platform to convey your unique story and show how your experiences have led you to this point. It's a crucial part of your application, so be sure to reflect deeply on your reasons for transferring and how it ties in with your future goals. Drafting several versions and seeking feedback can help refine your essay into a compelling narrative.

If you feel that the transfer essay doesn't effectively tell your story, you also have the option of responding to the first-year essay prompts. The Common App has instructions for how to do this here: https://membersupport.commonapp.org/s/article/Common-App-for-transfer-personal-statement-changes

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

How to Write a Great Transfer Essay

Here is the most common prompt for transfer students applying through the Common App :  

“Please provide a statement that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve.” (250-600 words)

The three key steps to mastering the transfer essay are as follows:

Step One: Establish why you want to transfer.

Tell admissions why you want to transfer, and do so without speaking negatively about your current institution. Are you looking for a bigger school? Do you want to attend a university in a tech-centric city? Did you just discover your passion for a major that your current institution doesn’t offer? Transferring is a big decision, so it’s important to show that your intentions are clear. Whatever the reason, refrain from speaking ill of your current school. You want to come off as optimistic and forward thinking to admissions.  

Step Two: Demonstrate your interest.

Why are you applying to this school in particular? You’ve been through the admissions cycle before and you are wiser than you were a year or two ago. Admissions officers will expect that you’ve done your research and are making a calculated, thoughtful decision to transfer. Your interest in transferring to one school should be directly related to your reason for leaving your current school: What gaps or unmet needs will your prospective institution address? Do you want to transfer for the school’s humongous alumni network, award-winning journalism program, or non-profit affiliations? Have you always dreamed of living in the city in which the school is located? Make sure admissions knows that you aren’t applying because “it’s gotta be better than my current school” but because this school is where you feel you truly belong. Illustrate your drive and maybe you’ll be hitting the ground running come the fall. (Hint: the best way to get the information you need is by setting aside a chunk of time to pore over the school website. Sorry, there’s no shortcut, even the second time around.)

Step Three: Establish the highlights of your collegiate career so far.

You have an edge that most freshman don’t: You’ve already been to college, so you know a bit more about the experience as well as your own academic and career goals. Being able to say that you know you will succeed at your school of choice because you flourish in small classrooms, lead in group projects, excel in the math and sciences or whatever your reasoning may be is crucial. Talk about what you have enjoyed about college thus far (again, be positive!) and how you hope to build on your experience at your (hopefully) new school!

Once you complete these three steps, you will have all the ingredients for a fantastic transfer essay! But before you hit submit, a final word of warning: some schools require transfer applicants to submit supplemental essays (remember those?). Do yourself a favor and compile a list of these in advance to ensure that every essay you write reveals something new and special to admissions. But first, give yourself a pat on the back. By reading this post, you’ve already given yourself a leg up (at least we think so). Go you!  

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Common App for transfer personal statement changes

Jul 25, 2023 • knowledge, information.

Common App recently collected member and student feedback regarding the current personal statement in the transfer application, which is 'The personal statement helps colleges get to know you better as a person and a student. Please provide a statement discussing your educational path. How does continuing your education at a new institution help you achieve your future goals?'

Through this feedback, we heard a desire for more prompt options, as well as increased standardization in how the personal statement is asked across member institutions.

In response to this feedback, we made the decision to add the first year application personal essay prompts to the Program Materials section as the new transfer application personal statement. The current transfer application personal statement will be available as a bank question for members who wish to ask it. Note: the new essay prompts would not be available in the common portion of the transfer application.

Members have two configuration options to add the new Common App for transfer personal statement to their screen:

Option #1 , Questions Section

Key features:

• Must appear within the Writing section
• Radio button prompt selection followed by long answer essay field
• Prompts appear directly above the response box
• Choice of prompt is a deliverable data point in the export file

Option #2 , Documents Tab

• Document upload
• Prompts are linked out on a separate page to conserve Documents tab instructional text space
• Delivered as part of full application PDF
• Note that prompt selection is not available as an exportable data point

Please note : the personal statement language, prompts, and instruction text cannot be customized. If you have additional questions, please reach out to your Member Services representative or the Member Solutions Center at [email protected] .

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How to Write a College Transfer Essay

How to write a college transfer essay in 2024.

Bonus Material: PrepMaven’s Transfer Application Statistics for Top Schools

For most students, making the final decision about which college to attend is the end of a long, stressful process. But what if you go through all that and aren’t happy at your current school? Or perhaps you’re finishing up your Associate’s degree at community college and plan to transfer to a four-year school. Either way, you’re not alone–and you’re not stuck. 

Many students decide to transfer from university to another at some point in their academic careers. While this isn’t uncommon, it can be hard to find good guidance about transferring schools. How is a transfer application different from your regular Common Application? How important are transfer essays? How are transfer essays different from your college application essays?

In this post, we’ll use our decades of experience guiding students through the admissions process to help break down how to write your college transfer essay to maximize your chances of acceptance. 

Download PrepMaven’s Transfer Application Statistics for Top Schools

Jump to section: What Is the Common App Transfer Essay? Transfer Essays Dos and Don’ts Transfer Essay Writing Tips How Is the Transfer Essay Different from the Regular College Essay? Next steps

What Is the Common App Transfer Essay?

Most universities that accept the Common App for high school applicants will also ask you to submit transfer applications through the Common App. 

When applying as a transfer student, however, you’ll generally have to answer one or more school-specific essays targeted at transfer students. In general, you’ll be asked to write about 500 words in response to a question about why you feel you’d benefit from continuing your education at a different university. 

Some schools, especially more prestigious ones, will also ask additional transfer essay questions–such as what about their offerings attracts you, or what you were missing at your previous university. 

These prompts will vary slightly from school to school and year to year, but you can always find this information on the Common App page for the school you’re applying to, as well as on that school’s website. 

Princeton, for example, will expect you to answer all of the essay prompts that high school applicants answer, as well as two additional ones: 

Have you had any interruptions or gaps in your education since high school or college, or have you left any school voluntarily for a significant time frame? If so, please explain the timeline of your postsecondary career. (Please respond in about 150 words.) What are your plans during and after your higher education experience? (Please respond in about 150 words.)

Harvard also asks you to answer additional questions for a transfer application: 

Briefly, please indicate the most influential factors in your decision to attend your present college (for example, location, cost, size of student body, only option, special program offered, Early Decision plan, etc.) What alternatives to transferring to Harvard are you considering? Please indicate your field of specialization and briefly outline your academic plans at Harvard College. What are your current postgraduate/career plans? Briefly discuss one book that has strongly influenced you.

These are generally fairly short essay prompts, but the key difference from your original college application is that there isn’t one “main” Common App essay for transfer applications. Instead, your “transfer essay” will be determined by what school you’re applying to. 

When you create a Common App transfer application account, you’ll be asked to add the school’s you plan to transfer to. In addition to the general information you’ll fill out in the Common Application portal (academics, demographics, activities), each school will have a separate application for you to fill out, and this is where you’ll find the transfer essay prompt . 

So, instead of having one “personal essay,” you’ll likely have several personal statements, one for each transfer school you’re applying to. 

These transfer essay prompts can vary. Generally, though, you can expect to be asked to discuss your reasons for leaving your current school, your career goals, and why you want to attend this transfer college. 

Below, we’ve collected some statistics on transfer acceptance rates to top schools. We’ll be honest: transferring to a top school can be just as hard–or harder!–than applying there out of high school. These statistics can help you get a sense of your chances, aiding in your transfer application planning. Download them for free now!

Transfer Essays Dos and Don’ts

If you’re looking to scan over your transfer essay and make some quick changes that can instantly boost your chances, check out our quick-fix guide to college essays , then read on for specific Dos and Don’ts. 

Things to do:

• Do be clear about what you’re missing at your current university. It’s a fine line to walk, but it’s important to be up front about this: if your current school were perfect, then why would you be transferring? Perhaps the academic program doesn’t align with your educational goals. Or perhaps they’re missing resources to launch you into your chosen career path. In any case, be clear!
• Do touch on what you’ve been able to gain from your current college so far. What skills/perspective/knowledge do you have now that you didn’t in high school? If you’re the kind of student who was rejected by the kinds of schools you’re now trying to transfer to, you especially need to show how you’ve developed and grown since high school. 
• Do identify specific elements that draw you to the transfer school. We touched on this above, but you want to be really clear about why you’d benefit from a transfer. 
• Do show what you bring to the table. In other words, why should this school accept you? You might want to connect this to your collegiate academic accomplishments, research experience, or community involvement. 

Things to avoid:

• Don’t be overly negative about your current school. It’s a tough line to walk, but the key is conveying that there’s something missing, or that there’s some disconnect between the college experience and what you need. It’s not to complain about your current school or to give the impression that you’re “better than” the school. 
• Don’t (!!) complain about other students. This is a huge red flag: even if you’ve had problems getting along with other students, you need to keep this to yourself. Otherwise, you’ll come off as someone who’ll cause problems or who is antisocial. 
• Don’t dwell on high school accomplishments. You want to come off mature and self-aware, and there’s nothing less mature or self-aware than someone in college who can’t stop talking about high school. 
• Don’t offer generic or shallow reasons for your transfer. Improved job prospects, academic rankings, or the intelligence of the student body are not good reasons to apply to a transfer school. They’ll make it seem like you haven’t really done the research, or that you just want to go to a school with a more prestigious name. 

Transfer Essay Writing Tips

In general, the same advice we give for how to write your college essay holds true for writing strong transfer essays! To summarize, a good college essay, whether a transfer essay or not, consists of two key elements: 

• Reflection 

To break it down further, the “story” element of your transfer essay will be the stuff that makes it personal, the stuff that makes it you . Think about it this way: admissions officers at Harvard and Princeton have to read countless application essays. Eventually, all these essays are going to start sounding pretty much the same. 

Even if you’re smart and a great writer, there are only so many ways that you can answer the prompt if you’re being general. Plus, most of the other transfer applicants are themselves smart and great writers too. So, how do you create personal statements that stand out?

Make it personal . In other words, incorporate a story from your life that nobody else could write about for the simple fact that nobody else has lived it. We’re not saying you need to turn this into a creative writing exercise, necessarily. If the prompt is direct and doesn’t leave you much room to elaborate, then you can’t afford to launch into a full literary narrative. 

But you can still include a brief glimpse into your life or describe a particular moment. For example, you might start by briefly describing the moment you realized you wanted to transfer from your current school. What happened? Where were you? What were you thinking in that moment?

Even something as simple as starting the essay with a short anecdote like that will immediately make your transfer essay more memorable to college admissions officers! You can check out our post here for specific examples of college essay openings that you can use to get ideas for your own transfer application essay. 

“Reflection” refers to what you make of your story. If you read our materials on structuring your college essays , you’ll already know how crucial it is to connect the personal details you provide to your values. 

Ultimately, your “story” is there to make your essay personable and memorable. But it’s your “reflection” and the values you’re able to convey that really show admissions committees that you’re a good fit for their school. 

Most importantly, you need to convey how your values both make you a valuable addition to the community and align with the values of your transfer school. 

If you take a look at the transfer statistics we’ve collected for your use here you’ll see just how selective transfer applications can be. It’s why we recommend working with an expert college essay tutor to craft strong transfer essays. Because there are so many different college essay services out there, we’ve done the research to rank the top 14 college essay services for this year– you can check out our post there. 

Of course, if you’re ready to work with us directly, you can reach out any time : our tutors come from Ivy League universities, and many have years-long track records of placing applicants into the most selective schools in the country. 

How Is the Transfer Essay Different from the Regular College Essay?

Much of the advice for the transfer essay is the same, because ultimately this essay is a very similar piece of writing to the standard college application essay, with the same goal (getting you into college). So, when it comes to the nuts and bolts of the process, you can confidently rely on our guides to brainstorm , revise , and end your college essays here. 

You should also especially read about how to write the “Why us?” supplemental essay (and look at our free sample essays that got students into Ivies). You probably remember writing these for your initial applications, but many transfer applications logically require a version of this essay as well!

But, despite these similarities, there are a few things that make the transfer essay unique. 

First, transfer essays should be slightly more direct and to the point than your other college application essays. You’ll notice that you’ll generally have less space for these essays, which means you need to make every word count. You’ll also notice that some of these prompts are more direct, asking you to specifically identify, for example, what aspects of your current university don’t work for you. 

This doesn’t mean you should ditch the personal or storytelling elements of your essays! It just means these elements should be incorporated quickly and efficiently, without as much detail as you might have used in your Common App essay in high school. 

Second, essays for college transfer applications need to focus more on your time in college rather than on what you did in high school. This becomes increasingly true the further into your college career you are: if you’re a college sophomore, then most of your anecdotes should refer to your college experience. 

If you’re still only writing about things you did in high school, you’ll seem immature! Be sure to focus on what you’ve gained, lost, and experienced in your first years of college life. 

Finally, you’ll be expected to have a more concrete sense of what you want out of a college experience. When you were writing in high school, it might have been fine to be a little general, or just to talk about multiple avenues that you might be interested in. 

Transfer applicants, however, will really be expected to concretely articulate their career goals and interests, as well as what specific resources you plan to take advantage of at your new campus community and what resources were missing at your old one. 

These transfer essays are high stakes: for schools like Princeton and Harvard, transfer acceptance rates can be even lower than regular acceptance rates! If you want to make sure you’re writing these essays correctly, get connected with one of our expert college essay coaches here .

Choosing to transfer colleges can be a difficult decision. For many students, it can be the right one–but actually getting into your dream school as a transfer student may be even harder than getting in from high school!

If you’re serious about transferring to a selective university, then you’ll need to put a lot of work into your transfer essays. But you don’t want that hard work going to waste: work with one of our expert college essay tutors to ensure that your essay will impress the admissions committee and boost your chances of acceptance. 

Want to know exactly what your chances are? We’ve put together a resource of the most recent statistics on transfer applications for top schools. Download it for free below to get a sense of what it’ll take to get admitted!

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Read 2 Transfer Student Essays That Worked

Strong transfer essays can help pave the way to admissions offers.

Read 2 Transfer Essays That Worked

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Though it isn't a golden ticket, a strong transfer essay may boost an applicant's odds of admission.

There are as many reasons to transfer colleges as there are transfer students. But regardless of why someone wants to move to a new institution, the process for doing so usually requires an admissions essay.

Colleges With the Most Transfer Students

Josh Moody Jan. 28, 2020

In a 2018 National Association for College Admission Counseling survey , 41.5% of colleges polled said a transfer applicant's essay or writing sample is of either considerable or moderate importance in the admission decision.

A compelling, well-written transfer essay doesn't guarantee acceptance – many other factors are at play, such as an applicant's GPA. However, a strong essay can be a factor that helps move the odds in the applicant's favor, says Kathy Phillips, associate dean of undergraduate admissions at Duke University in North Carolina.

Know What Colleges Are Looking For In a Transfer Essay

Some schools have prospective transfer students use the Common App or the Coalition Application to apply. In addition to the main essay, students may be required to submit a second writing sample or respond to short-answer questions, though this isn't always the case. Prospective students can check a college's website for specific guidance regarding how to apply.

Whatever application method they use, prospective students should be aware that writing a transfer essay is not the same as writing a first-year college application essay, experts advise. First-year essays are more open-ended, says Niki Barron, associate dean of admission at Hamilton College in New York. When applying as first-years, prospective students can generally write about any experience, relationship or goal that has shaped who they are as people, she says.

This contrasts with transfer essays, where the focus is typically narrower. Barron says she thinks of transfer essays as more of a statement of purpose. "We're really looking to see students' reasons for wanting to transfer," she says.

Katie Fretwell, the recently retired dean of admission and financial aid at Amherst College in Massachusetts, says prospective transfer students are in a position to be a bit more reflective about their educational goals because of their additional year or years of experience post-high school. The essay helps admissions officers get a sense of whether an applicant has done "an appropriate level of soul-searching about the match," she says.

Transfer Essay Examples

Below are two transfer essays that helped students get into Duke and Amherst, respectively. Both institutions are very selective in transfer admissions. For fall 2018, Duke had a transfer acceptance rate of 8% and Amherst accepted 4% of its transfer applicants, according to U.S. News data.

Hover over the circles to read what made these essays stand out to admissions experts.

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Cornell Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Search cornell admissions, transfer applicants.

Consider Cornell

Students transfer to Cornell for many reasons. Whether your academic interests have changed or you are looking to continue your education after completing a two-year degree, make Cornell the next step on your journey.

• First-Year Applicants

First-Year International Applicants

First-year domestic applicants, special populations, advice for applicants, transfer application timeline.

While Cornell University will not be accepting external transfer applications for Spring 2024, we encourage you to consider applying for Fall 2024. Please reach out to your college or school of interest with any questions, and we look forward to reviewing your application for fall!

Expand the information below to learn more about each aspect of the application and your Cornell journey.

Are you a Transfer Applicant?

Students are considered transfer applicants if they have:

• Completed a high school diploma (or an equivalent)
• Earned at least 12 semester hours of college credit (not including exams such as Advanced Placement) after graduating high school

If a student has earned 12 or more semester hours of credit since completing high school (or earning an equivalent), they must apply as a transfer.

If a student has enrolled as a full-time student at another institution, they must apply as a transfer. 

If a student has enrolled in a dual-enrollment or early-college program and has not yet graduated from high school, they must apply as a first-year applicant.

If a student has previously earned a bachelor’s degree, they cannot apply for a second bachelor’s degree at Cornell. 

Domestic vs. International

Domestic applicants hold one of the following United States citizenship or residency statuses:

• U.S. citizenship
• Permanent Residency
• Undocumented without DACA status but will graduate from a U.S. high school
• Refugee/Asylee

Cornell’s international student designation for financial aid and the English Language Proficiency requirement is based on residency or citizenship status. International applicants are foreign nationals applying to Cornell. Foreign nationals are students living outside the U.S. or living in the U.S. who hold, or intend to hold, a valid F-1, J-1, H-1, H-4 etc. visa/status, as well as those pending Permanent Residency status.

Review the College and School Admissions Requirements

College and school transfer admissions requirements.

Transfer Admissions Requirements

Review the Required Coursework

College and school required coursework.

Cornell has required courses for most majors that should be completed or in-progress at your current institution by the time you apply. For more information, please view the required coursework for the Cornell college or school that interests you:

• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• Architecture
• History of Architecture
• Urban and Regional Studies
• College of Arts & Sciences
• Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy
• Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management
• Nolan School of Hotel Administration
• College of Engineering
• College of Human Ecology
• School of Industrial and Labor Relations

Complete the Required Application Components

Application.

• Submit the online Common Application for transfers.

Application Fee or Fee Waiver

• Pay the $80 nonrefundable application fee or a fee waiver. 
• We are committed to making the application process accessible for all students. If the admissions application fee presents a hardship for you or your family, the fee will be waived. Students requesting an application fee waiver from Cornell should respond to the fee waiver prompts provided in the Common Application and select “You can provide a supporting statement from a school official, college access counselor, financial aid officer, or community leader.” You will not need to submit any supporting documentation to Cornell.

High School Transcript

Official high school/secondary school final transcripts must include coursework and grade performance from 9th through 12th grade. 

Your high school should submit official high school transcripts in one of these ways:

• Common App: In the Program Materials section, under Recommendations, use the High School Official Recommendation Request to ask your high school official to upload your final high school transcript. In the Personal Messages/Notes section, let your high school official know that you are only requesting a transcript and that a recommendation letter is not required.
• eSCRIP-SAFE
• an online ordering system or eTranscript service
• Postal mail or delivery service in an envelope sealed by the issuing institution.

All official transcripts/documents must be issued in English. If not, an official translation of all documents must be provided along with the original language documents. Cornell accepts English translations done by a teacher or school official. 

College Transcript

Submit all official college transcripts from all institutions the applicant has attended in one of these ways:

• Common App: In the Academic History section, under Colleges Attended, order your official transcript. 
• National Student Clearinghouse

College Report

The College Report confirms that the applicant is in good academic and disciplinary standing at their most recent institution. Both the applicant and a college official must complete the form. Applicants should complete the Student Section, and a college official (such as a registrar or advisor who has access to the applicant’s academic records) should complete the College Official Section.

The college official should submit the College Report in one of these ways:

• By email with the subject line “College Report Email Submission” to [email protected] , from the official's college email address.
• By mail or courier service.

Academic Recommendation

The Academic Recommendation should come from instructors who taught the applicant in a full-credit college course. If an applicant has not been enrolled in school for two or more years, the instructor recommendation may be replaced by a personal or employer recommendation.

The instructor should submit the Academic Evaluation in one of these ways:

• Common App (list your instructor in the Program Materials section’s Recommendations tab)
• Email to [email protected]

Mid-term Report

Applicants complete the Mid-term Report when mid-term grades are available for their current college courses. Upload the completed Mid-term Report to your Cornell Application Status Page.

If your college does not give midterm grades, ask your professors to assess your current performance in class.  If you are unable to get mid-term grades or are not currently enrolled in college courses, upload an explanation in place of the Mid-term Report to your Cornell Application Status Page.

Standardized Testing

SAT or ACT scores are neither required nor expected for transfer candidates.

Students should self-report AP, IB or A-Level exam scores in the Academic History section of the Common Application.

English Language Proficiency

After submitting their Common Application, international students should complete the English Language Proficiency Form in their Cornell Application Status Page to report evidence of their English proficiency. Examples include:  

• Your native language is English.
• You studied your most recent four years in a high school, college, or university in the U.S. or other nations where English is an official language.
• 650 or above on the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing test
• 30 or higher on both the ACT Reading and English Sections
• 100 and above on the TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition (Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test)
• 120 and above on the Duolingo English Test
• 7.5 and above on the IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)
• 5.5 and above on the iTEP (International Test of English Proficiency)
• 70 and above on the PTE Academic (Pearsons Test of English Academic)
• 191 and above on the C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency) 
• Initial View (IV) Assessment
• Vericant Assessment

Complete Your Cornell Writing Supplement

Cornell transfer questions and writing supplements.

Add Cornell University to your Common App to see the Program Materials required by Cornell:

• In the Questions tab, select the college or school at Cornell to which you are applying to see the college/school-specific Writing Supplement question. Your response should be no longer than 3000 characters.
• In the Documents tab, upload a 250- to 650-word essay answering “How does continuing your education at a new institution help you achieve your future goals?”
• Applicants for the Nolan School of Hotel Administration are required to upload a resume in the Documents tab.

Submit Additional Application Items

Additional application items.

The following majors require additional material from transfer applicants:

• Architecture: Required portfolio
• Art: Required portfolio
• Design and Environmental Analysis: Required design supplement
• Fashion Design and Management: Required design supplement
• Hotel Administration: Upload a resume/CV through the Common App (Program Materials section, Documents tab).
• Landscape Architecture: Required portfolio . Must be sent to Jamie Vanucchi, Director of Undergraduate Studies at [email protected] .  Please include your full name in the email header to ensure your portfolio is correctly matched with your application.
• Majors in the College of Arts and Sciences: Submit a list of all college courses you have taken, or are currently taking, that are prerequisite courses or required courses for your intended major(s), along with course syllabi/descriptions. Students intending to major in STEM fields, including Economics, should also submit course syllabi/descriptions for all math courses taken at the college level. Please cut and paste the syllabi/descriptions for your courses into a single PDF or Word document. You will then upload this document via your Applicant Status Page. Use the drop-down menu to select “TR – Course Descriptions.” Please give it the following file name: Last Name, First Name – Course Descriptions. You can find the courses that are required for admission to and completion of Arts & Sciences majors on the college’s departmental websites. 
• Majors in the College of Engineering: Upload your completed major-specific course description form and course syllabi to your Cornell Application Status Page.

Information for US Military Veterans and Current Service Members

Join our community of veteran scholars.

Cornell invites veterans and current members of the military to join its growing community of veteran scholars. 

There’s never been a better time for those who’ve served in the military to consider Cornell. The veteran community is strong and growing, thanks to a renewed commitment to recruit, enroll, and support those who’ve served. 

Cornell’s commitment to military service and those who’ve served isn’t new; it dates back to our founding as the land grant university for New York State and the Morrill Land Grant Act requiring every land grant institution to include military training in its curriculum. We are proud of our students who have graduated from Cornell and gone on to serve in the military and we are proud of our veterans who made the choice to attend Cornell after they have served our country. 

Veteran Admissions and Enrollment Support

Cornell’s Military/Veteran Admissions and Enrollment Services team includes staff and trained student veterans who work to support veterans and current members of the military from the prospective student phase through the applications for admission , financial aid , veteran education benefits , and the enrollment process. 

Please reach out to us at [email protected] . We look forward to working with you!

Financial Aid and Veteran Benefits

Cornell meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students and military/veteran applicants are encouraged to apply for financial aid , regardless of their veteran benefits eligibility. Cornell also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program , the supplement to the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® education benefit. For more information about veteran education benefits, please visit the University Registrar website .

For more information about financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment at [email protected] .

Visit our Veterans at Cornell website to learn more. 

Information for Applicants Interested in ROTC

Educating military leaders is a 150 year tradition..

Cornell has a long and prestigious military history which started with the Morrill Act of 1862. Cornell's founding and designation as New York State's Land Grant University imparted to it the responsibility to provide military training and education programs. Cornell formally established a ROTC unit in 1917. Cornell graduates have served with distinction in every major conflict since the Spanish-American War. Cornell commissioned more officers in World War I than any other institution in the United States including the military academies. During World War II, Cornellians again responded with more than 20,000 serving in the armed forces in every theatre of war.

Learn more on our ROTC at Cornell website . 

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