Transfer & Scholarship Essays
Writing a Transfer Essay
Almost without a doubt, you will need to write an essay to transfer from Montgomery College to a four-year college. Transferring to the University of Maryland does not guarantee you admission just because you went to MC. You need to demonstrate that you are eligible to attend any school to which you apply.Write about yourself not just academically, but also personally.
It’s great if you’re transferring with a 3.7 GPA, but colleges will want to know what you’re like as a person also. Think about the following:· Activities/clubs
· Volunteering
· Personal challenges
· Hobbies/interests
· How do the items above relate to your intended field of study?
Proofread, revise, and edit your essay.
Never submit an essay with poor grammar and spelling mistakes. If you need help, come see a tutor in the Writing Center, or have a trusted friend or family member review your essay If your essay is messy or disorganized, this reflects negatively on you as a student. Take this opportunity to prove why you are a good candidate for this particular college.Do your research.
Find out if this is the right school for you. Have you visited yet? Do you know anyone who goes to the college? Do you know the college’s mission statement? In what majors does the college specialize? What sorts of awards, degrees, and honors do their faculty members hold? This information is highly relevant to your essay because the admissions staff wants to know why you are interested in this school.Set yourself apart.
Think about the number of essays submitted to a college every year. According to CollegeData.com, “44% of 26,358 applicants were admitted” to UMCP for the Fall 2010 semester. There are no guarantees for admission (unless you are part of MTAP). You need to show how unique and dedicated you are as a student. The college wants to know that you will be a successful student and an asset to them.Please note: MTAP students must submit a statement of interest with their application. For more information about UM’s Admission Review Factors, go to MTAP's webpage.
Links to web sources mentioned in the workshop handout are included below:
- The Community College Research Center released a study showing that students who graduate with an associate degree at a community college before attending a four-year school earn an extra $50,000 over 20 years, compared with those who transfer without earning the degree.
- The Montgomery College Transfer Agreements website offers a comprehensive list of partnerships between MC and many four-year colleges and universities, both public and private.
- ARTSYS (The Articulation System for Maryland Colleges and Universities) lists and explains how MC courses transfer to Maryland institutions.
- For prewriting, you may want to use a cluster map. These websites are excellent for creating cluster maps:
- If you prefer brainstorming, try this website:
- Vocabulary—Use words that you know; do not look them up in the thesaurus or use inflated language to impress the reader. This TedEd video illustrates the point beautifully:
