We are looking forward to changing gears next week from our first-year application reading to considering our wonderful pool of transfer applicants. April 1 is our deadline for transfer applications for fall 2011, and, every year, we field a talented and interesting pool of applicants who think Scripps might be a better college fit. As the Transfer Coordinator, I am excited to start reading our transfer applications and selecting those students who will contribute special qualities to our community.
Every school is right for someone, but no school is right for everyone. Many students decide to transfer to Scripps because they haven’t found a sense of community at their first college or university. Others find that classes are not challenging enough or that their area of academic interest is too limited. Still others apply to transfer from a community college, after completing many general requirements. It’s important to feel both socially and academically “at home” at your college or university, and we hope that you will find a better fit through the transfer process.
Applying to transfer is not simple—let’s just admit that up front. Although you might be more experienced with the whole application process, you are probably trying to complete your transfer applications in the midst of balancing your college classes and, perhaps, struggling with the decision of whether to transfer and where to transfer. Having learned a few lessons about what you really want and need in a college, you are probably better able to narrow your choices down. If you are considering transferring to Scripps, we hope that you’ll take the opportunity to learn more about us by visiting campus, interviewing with one of our admission officers, and/or fully exploring our website. Feel free to email me with any questions or concerns.
If you attend a large university, it can be difficult to know who to ask for recommendations. We understand. Do your best to ask at least one professor even if the class is large. Faculty at large universities are used to such requests. One recommendation for a graduate student instructor (or TA) is fine. Some applicants also have difficulty in providing a graded essay if they have not taken writing-intensive classes. Again, do your best with that requirement. If you have any writing sample from a college class, we’d like to see that. If you do not, you can provide a sample from a high school class.
Good luck, and let’s hope that you’ve written your last college application essay!
Tina Brooks
Admission Counselor and Transfer Coordinator
