UT requires all prospective external transfer students to write a 600-750 word response to Apply Texas Essay A:

The statement of purpose will provide an opportunity to explain any extenuating circumstances that you feel could add value to your application. You may also want to explain unique aspects of your academic background or valued experiences you may have had that relate to your academic discipline. The statement of purpose is not meant to be a listing of accomplishments in high school or a record of your participation in school-related activities. Rather, this is your opportunity to address the admissions committee directly and to let us know more about you as an individual, in a manner that your transcripts and other application information cannot convey.

Although the prompt is lengthy, UT-Austin reviewers are looking for you to address directly a few things, more or less in this order:

1. Your previous academic experiences and development

2. Your current studies and likes/dislikes of your present college/university

3. Your future academic and professional goals

4. How a UT education can help you achieve them

5. Any special or extenuating circumstances.

I provide a series of blog posts offering tips starting here. You can visit my comprehensive UT external transfer admissions guide here.

Throughout, you should provide specific examples why you are deserving of a space on campus and in your major and what perspectives you bring to the university. Transfer Statements of Purpose tend to follow a fairly predictable sequence. The “stick to the facts” tone is similar to a graduate or medical school admissions essay rather than a creative, narrative, or experimental essay that high school seniors tend to submit for the Common App or the “tell us your story” UT prompt.

Most transfer essays do not need nor benefit from introductions, conclusions, or rhetorical devices. It’s okay to begin and end an essay without overview or summing things up. Since you must address several questions within a confined word limit, there is rarely space for rhetorical flair. Word economy and information density guide the transfer statement of purpose approach.

Below, I provide five different approaches to addressing this question. Each of these applicants gained admission.

Interested in working together? Complete my questionnaire for a free e-mail consultation.

McCombs Business Transfer 3.92 GPA Admit - Older/non-Traditional Applicant

My dad is my role model, best friend, teacher, and financial advisor. In elementary school, I loved watching him repair his truck. If it didn’t start, he checked if the battery connected to the starter maintained a charge. He taught me basic mechanical principles, like how an engine combines spark, air, fuel, and compression to create power.

In middle and high school, he taught me the importance of each dollar. We compared prices and product quality. He taught me to manage my finances, and I’m proud to say I’ve built excellent credit. He supervised the ABC rock quarry and inspected XYZ railroad lines. I’ve recently occupied management positions, so he stresses the importance of hiring right. Good help is hard to come by. I owe my success and well-being to him.

During high school, one of my favorite courses was anatomy and physiology. The human body fascinates me because I can relate it to the mechanics and movement principles. Like vehicle engines, the human heart pumps blood using electrical impulses and muscle contractions to deliver oxygen and cycle carbon dioxide throughout our lungs and body. Our spines are like the drivetrain in a vehicle’s undercarriage.

After graduation, I entered the workforce but soon realized I needed an actual degree to have a financially stable future. In August 2015, I enrolled at San Antonio’s St. Philip’s College, a two-year institution, to pursue a Biomedical Engineering and Technology Associate’s. The biomedical field combines electronics and mechanics with human anatomy. It was close to my grandparents’ house, so I had a place to stay. I kept recalling the summer of 2013 when I worked at an industrial lumber yard for eight hours daily in the blistering heat. Failing a class meant returning to miserable, low-paying manual labor jobs.

I set my pride aside and reached out to professors for help when I struggled initially in class. I spent many hours on YouTube learning Organic Chemistry concepts like Ohm’s and Kirchhoff’s laws. I honestly wasn’t expecting A’s, maybe B’s and C’s, but to my surprise, when I logged into Canvas over winter break, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I earned straight A’s.

Before I knew it, I graduated from St. Philip’s College Phi Theta Kappa with a 4.0 and multiple President’s Honor Roll awards. My biggest surprise for my parents was earning chords and a golden stole. I kept it a secret until I walked across the graduation stage. My parents cried. I’m the first in our family to attend college and earn an Associate degree.

Soon after graduation, I started a Biomedical Field Engineer internship for GE Healthcare. The internship quickly turned into a management position. I was exposed to large-scale inventory management and biomedical operations. I fell in love with network infrastructure; it became an obsession. I made friends who motivated me to aim for higher goals.

I’ve noticed a gray area in healthcare delivery. My supervisor, Armando, and I were the only ones with expertise in IT and biomedical sciences for San Antonio. Nurses and doctors are not technical, and IT professionals lack medical knowledge, so I fill this niche. I want to pursue a degree that connects both fields. Since medical devices are transforming into Wi-Fi capable mini-computers, hospital and consumer demand will skyrocket with each more advanced and less expensive technologies.

I enrolled at UTSA so I could continue living with my grandparents while pursuing my bachelor’s degree. Two distant cousins were also students, but we rarely met, so I felt alone. UTSA lacks community. I didn’t think I could grow there as a person and a professional. I felt homesick and transferred to ACC to take my McCombs transfer requirements, hoping to earn my MIS degree. It combines my personal, academic, and professional interests. I’m a non-traditional student who will bring unique perspectives to classroom discussions and campus life.

I look forward to taking interesting classes like Healthcare Operations Management OM 334M and Communications to Build Sales Relationships CMS 337. I’m most excited to study abroad at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid, Spain, to help improve my Spanish for international business. I speak Spanish at home and travel to Mexico twice yearly to visit family, but I’ve never left North America.

I took an official tour in February 2019. My favorite part was visiting the McCombs School of Business. Our group guide, Alexander Roland, informed us about a Dinner Etiquette offered by Career Services, so I attended. I wanted to learn how to fit in, but staring down at my utensils made me feel completely lost. I see that these skills are essential because I want to set up a medical consultancy working with doctors, but there must be a way to share these skills in less intimidating ways with first-generation, working-class students like me.

Commentary

Transfer applicants come from a broader range of backgrounds and experiences. Teenage high school applicants tend to have similar profiles and access to extracurriculars, while transfer applicants come from diverse ages and backgrounds. They include military veterans, non-traditional applicants, international or undocumented students who worked in the US before pursuing studies, mid-career professionals, second bachelor’s degree seekers, adults with kids, and even retirees.

This applicant is a first-generation college student from a working-class background. The UT Statement of Purpose is your opportunity to contextualize your background, academic journey, and resume where necessary. Reviewers look for indicators of hardship where applicable. However, most applicants tend to come from college-educated families without special circumstances, so it isn’t required to demonstrate adversity.

Transfer essays don’t typically require nor benefit from introductions or conclusions. But when you have special circumstances, sharing mini anecdotes can help frame and present your upbringing, learning environment, or lack of educational opportunities. Discussing his dad’s influence in the opening paragraphs helps situate his later interests in business.

The middle paragraphs articulate how and why they pursued their initial college studies at two-year St. Phillip’s College. They provide additional information about their grades to bring their transcript to life and communicate to their reviewers that they did not take their 4.0 for granted. Since they worked for a few years after receiving their Associate’s, particularly at a workplace that helped them explore and refine their future MIS major, it’s essential to discuss these experiences. They effectively identify specific UT resources and campus visit experiences that encourage them UT is their best fit university.

College of Natural Sciences Nutrition Admit 3.87 GPA - ACC

I enrolled at Austin Community College on my parent’s advice. They encouraged me to finish my general studies before pursuing my Nursing degree. Their reasoning about saving money and earning credits that transfer anywhere seemed reasonable at the time. I’ve learned only recently that transferring to UT Nursing is almost impossible. I realize that I’m more interested in studying nutrition anyways, and I can apply for spring entry rather than waiting for the fall.

In hindsight, maybe I should have pursued CAP to have a direct pathway to attending my dream school. I’m sure though that ACC isn’t my best fit, and I regret not attending my safety university. I felt left out when my friends seemed to be excited to move away from home. I wanted to pick out the bedding and decorations and choose from a much wider possibility of classes. When I shared that I was staying close to home, some friends greeted me with pitiful looks and doubtful words. My aunt was talking about how much fun my cousin was having at their four-year university. "You will miss out on so much not going to a university!"

She might be right. Many of my friends have since moved on, and I honestly feel left behind. Once my first day of college arrived, my doubts and insecurities increased. I looked around at everyone scurrying to class and recognized nobody. Even fewer people seemed close to my age. I assumed my friends’ first days at university were quite different. I acknowledge the opportunities I have here at a much lower price, but the experience isn’t the same.

I’ve noticed that, as people get older, they tend to appreciate moments a little bit less. When I was a child, I loved the cheer and joy at birthday parties and big family gatherings. Even when I sat quietly and eavesdropped, I felt giddy. 

I’ve even noticed my tendency to take less time for what matters most, family. My softball games replaced Sunday family BBQs. I hear the phrase "Life got in the way" to explain absences. Instead of spending the week with my grandmother and all eight cousins, I started going to school. As a child, you don’t realize that joy is temporary and fleeting.

I lost much of my innocence when physicians diagnosed my dad with stage-four cancer the summer before fourth grade. I didn’t understand the severity until a few years later. I only saw that my dad was in pain and lacking in energy and that I wanted to help. Since I wasn’t in school, I frequently checked up on him. I wanted to do everything in my power to help him feel better. I learned to make the most of the many hours we spent at the hospital. I missed our family gatherings even more.

Watching the doctors use the equipment and nurses who stopped by fascinated me. I especially liked the ones who took the time to answer my questions and explain what they were doing. Science has been my favorite subject ever since. I’m motivated to make the most of my opportunities here by focusing on my long-term goals to receive a Bachelors of Science from UT.  

There are specific resources offered by the Department of Nutritional Sciences that interest me like Susie’s Kitchen Nutrition and Cooking camps. Since my family lives with nutritional concerns, I would love to share the science of eating well with children and young adults that are in a prime time to begin forming good habits.

I also like how UT offers different options for a nutrition degree. It’s a surprisingly broad degree, and I’m especially interested in the Coordinated Program in Dietetics. I want to work in a clinical setting with a focus on helping patients with their nutrition instead of being a nurse. Although it’s one of UT’s smallest specializations, their alumni seem to do amazing things like serving as the head of NICU nutrition for Dell Pediatrics Hospital. 

Overall, I’m thankful for my experiences at ACC. I’ve become more self-sufficient, and I’m responsible with money. I paid off my tuition in full. Their flexible scheduling also helps me balance my work schedule more easily than if I attended a four-year university. Freshman year seems like the biggest deal when you’re graduating high school, but it’s just one small step towards a life-changing education and future career.

Commentary

Enrolling at your local community college isn’t most students’ top choice. However, it often makes financial and logistical sense because you can earn inexpensive credits guaranteed to transfer at any Texas public and private university. It helps to speak directly and honestly to your reviewers about feeling regret or what is and isn’t working out about your current educational setting and academic pathway.

Although they experienced trauma in early childhood, it’s usually strategic to “stick to the facts” and not dwell on the distant past unless it detracts from your current opportunities. The Transfer Statement of Purpose isn’t an autobiography or detailed record of your entire life. It’s an argument attempting to persuade your admissions reviewers you’re a capable student who will enrich UT classroom discussions and campus life. Most students do not have special circumstances, and discussing them or making mountains out of molehills isn't required.

Since it’s essentially impossible to transfer into UT Nursing - they accept only one or two transfers each year - the applicant must try for another first-choice major. We talked through varied options, and nutrition fit their science and career interests closest. UT is also one of the only Texas universities that offers a Dietetics certificate pathway at the undergraduate level. They outline how this will further their professional goals. Concluding with a discussion around the context of their college enrollment by paying their own tuition also provides nuance to their reviewer and demonstrates a commitment to their studies.

BS/MD to UT Psychology Admit 3.87 GPA

I sat nervously in front of 100 slips of paper during the second week of my freshman leadership class. Each card read a different value. Dr. Price, the Director of the Buccino Leadership Institute at Seton Hall, instructed, “Now, leaders, your assignment is to sort through each of the cards and find your top ten core values.” I wondered, “How will I ever narrow down to only ten?”

I reflected on my high school journey as a student-athlete at Houston’s ABC Private School and how I ended up in South Orange, New Jersey. My early strengths were in math and science. Still, after I took AP English in my senior year, I discovered how much I enjoy interpreting literature and literary developments across time and in different cultures. Literature deals with society and human relationships, so majoring in psychology as a pre-med student, which emphasizes research, writing, and science, integrates my varied interests perfectly.

Cross country was a big part of my high school experience. Despite the early morning practices, I stuck with it. Cross country reflects our coach’s philosophy most accurately that you “get out what you put in.” You can only run as far as you’re willing to push. Long runs alone with my thoughts allow me to reflect on my character, decisions, and values. Managing a rigorous course load while practicing most mornings and competing on many weekends requires consistency and balance. Of my ten core values in Dr. Price’s class, moderation resonates most with me.

I don’t feel balanced on Seton Hall’s campus. The academics aren’t as rigorous as I had hoped, and student life and extracurricular opportunities are lacking. School spirit and a sense of community are nonexistent, and it frustrates me that I can’t bond with my classmates and professors. Seton Hall also has a large commuter population, so any classmates show up, attend class, and leave. Developing relationships is very important to me, so it’s challenging not to see familiar faces on campus. I also can’t run much because the campus is small and the surrounding area unsafe. I’ve repeatedly contacted faculty members for volunteering or research opportunities, but nobody responded.

When I applied to colleges, I preferred smaller, regional universities outside of Texas that would offer generous scholarships. I initially felt I would stand out more among fewer students rather than potentially feeling lost among tens of thousands at a public university. I still intend to apply to medical school, so Seton Hall’s Joint Bachelors/M.D. 4+3 Medical Program and Buccino Leadership Institute seemed like my perfect fit. They offered generous financial aid, so I accepted before I visited campus. My cousin is a Seton Hall sophomore, and she enjoyed her freshman year, so I felt more at ease with my decision. My mom and I scheduled a trip to South Orange a month later for the accepted student orientation.

I eventually located an opportunity to volunteer with I THIRST, which supports people of all ages recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. The patients’ lives seem different from the environment in which I was raised and contrasted with volunteering at special needs organizations like Camp Blessing and Outloud Dance Camp. My interaction with patients exposes me to diverse medical needs and patients. I feel confident that medicine will equip me with tools to alleviate the suffering of others and practice servant leadership. I hoped that my involvement in the medical and leadership programs would allow me to grow as an individual and expand my perspectives, but it’s clear to me now that I need to return to Texas.

Two of my other ten slips of paper were faithfulness and family. I’m pursuing a B.S. in Psychology in part because my uncle lives with mental illness. I’ve witnessed how it affects his daily life and stresses our family dynamics over the years. His struggles sparked my initial interest. I enjoyed my psychology courses during the first semester of college even though AP Psychology was not offered at ABC Private School. It confirmed my intuition that psychology combines human behavior with a scientific analysis that matches my long-term medical school goals.

This winter, after my first semester in New Jersey, I visited the 40 Acres. Immediately when I stepped foot on campus, I felt a sense of belonging and empowerment that I didn’t feel during my initial visit to South Orange. I struggle to find extracurricular opportunities at Seton Hall, but UT’s Psychology department is plastered with club fliers and research opportunities. My ceiling for growth at Seton Hall is low, while UT can allow me to spread my wings and fly higher than ever. Price’s class unintentionally helped me realize that I should live closer to my family while balancing my coursework with outside activities that will help me continue emerging as a faithful student leader.

Commentary

This example is a rare instance where an introduction and conclusion help to situate their reasons for transferring. It works because the beginning and end tie the essay together and provide a throughline that connects each paragraph. The intro and conclusion are fewer than a hundred words, so it doesn’t cost much to incorporate them. Nevertheless, in 80-90% of transfer essay first drafts, I remove intros and conclusions entirely. Every sentence needs to provide new information.

Especially when you enroll at a private or an out-of-state public university, it’s a good idea to detail what offers you received and why you enrolled. Often, students want to return to UT or a Texas public university to save money on in-state tuition. If you’re ever considering moving far from home or enrolling at a private university, I recommend visiting campus after you gain admission. That way you can ask concrete questions about your courses, degree plan, residence hall, dining, parking, and so on. I’m not a fan of visiting many college campuses while you’re applying or before gaining admission unless you’re a first-generation college student unfamiliar with university settings.

One role that the transfer statement of purpose can play is highlighting and developing one or two meaningful high school experiences, especially if they influence your major and/or you continued similar experiences in college. That can help frame the sort of student you see yourself as at UT or potential related UT student organizations that can help you transition to campus.

The applicant walks a fine line between discussing ways Seton Hall has helped them develop while identifying specific academic and social factors how the experience feels suboptimal. They also articulate why they are opting to leave a prestigious and highly-competitive BS/MD opportunity to change majors while leaving open pathways for a future medical career.

Art History 3.5 GPA Admit

Around this time last year, I started receiving my admissions decisions. I applied mostly to out-of-state larger universities in the southwest and received acceptance letters from all of them. I only wanted to attend UT-Austin, so I didn’t apply elsewhere in-state. I was a decent student who struggled in math and science, but my grades put me outside of the top 7%.

I chose not to participate in CAP because I wanted to attend a larger university and start as a freshman so that I could take full advantage of the school culture and "belong." Most students probably don’t begin their studies somewhere, assuming they will transfer, and I’m no different. I enrolled at Colorado State University (CSU) for maybe not the best reason. I thought that, because it had the lowest acceptance rate of my offers, it was the better school. Unfortunately, I wasn't looking at the big picture or anything significant beyond the fall of my freshman year. I just wanted to leave Texas.

I felt unsure of my major and stumbled into graphic design. I did design work for my varied high school activities, so it seemed like a logical choice, but a few weeks into my global art history class, a light clicked. I couldn’t wait for the next lecture. We discussed pieces that have more value than merely something beautiful to appreciate. I questioned my graphic design major and drifted towards art history. I began to develop a deep appreciation for how art records stories and beliefs in different cultures.

Of particular interest is the art of the Ancient Mesoamerican Formative Period. Archaeologists and art historians record some of the first glimpses of social ranking and religion in the Americas. Had the Olmec people not created art to express themselves, we would have no idea they existed. Most meaningful to me is the way art can capture the human experience and develop connections across generations.

I realized I enjoy appreciating and examining art rather than designing. I see now that CSU isn’t my ideal path. I’ve looked for opportunities outside of class or studies beyond lower-division courses, but they’re limited. CSU offers a handful of study abroads, but only one tailored to Art majors and none specifically for Art history majors. I haven’t seen anything about internships in the department newsletter, and, most importantly, there’s no emphasis on college to career success or helpful advising services. The department’s focus seems limited to the CSU campus.

I’ve since research the Art History department at UT. Deep down, I know that this is where I belong. Over winter break, I met with Sean Carney, the undergraduate admissions coordinator for the Department of Art History. The varied and extensive opportunities for current students and soon-to-be graduates impresses me. UT has research centers all over the world dedicated to the study of the history of art and culture.

For example, Casa Herrera, an extension of The Mesoamerica Center, hosts a study abroad opportunity for undergraduates that intrigues me. The program, Ancient & Colonial Heritage in Latin America: Cultural Treasures of Maya led by Dr. Astrid Runggaldier, provides hands-on experience in the museums of the region and excavation site work.

I’m also interested in the "UT in New York" program. Students from the McCombs School of Business, the College of Fine Arts, and the Moody College of Communication are combined to create a kind of "interdisciplinary satellite campus" in New York. I’ve read a few student blogs about their experiences living in the city for a semester and how they’ve developed invaluable professional contacts that help them secure internships and first jobs following graduation.

Art history major Carlos Moreno worked at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. He implemented a diversity program to open doors to "young people from historically underrepresented backgrounds." Making art accessible to all is critical to helping people communicate their ideas and inspire the next generation of artists regardless of socioeconomic or cultural background.

I intend to graduate with a degree in Art history with a minor in Art Management. I want to work in a museum as a director of learning and public engagement to ensure that art and its narratives remain relevant in our increasingly globalized and multicultural world. I’ve enjoyed my time at CSU, but I realize I need a university with a global scope. UT doesn’t just produce graduates; it creates leaders.

Commentary

This essay provides an effective example of getting straight to the point. There is no lingering introduction or paragraph that overviews what they are about to write. Since they applied and enrolled mostly out of state, highlighting that context situates why they desire to return to Texas and enroll at UT. One argument against opting out of CAP even as a potential liberal arts arts major is it can feel awkward to enroll at UTSA or UT Arlington with one foot in San Antonio and the other in Austin.

Enrolling at a four-year university with the intent to transfer later on sometimes limits a student’s motivation or buy-in to maximize the opportunities at their current institution. Still, they identify how CSU has helped them explore their interests and provides them opportunities for growth. “Wanting to leave Texas” almost always leads to irrational and costly enrollment decisions. This student probably should have enrolled in CAP. Spending one year away and eventually earning a UT degree through a guaranteed admissions pathway will seem insignificant five years after graduation.

They do an effective job of considering varied majors like graphic design before settling on Art History. This is an especially effective example of identifying niche UT resources that suit their specific interests. Detailing UT opportunities unavailable at your current institution presents a powerful argument about Why UT is your best fit. One upside of UT is they’re generally strong in every major rather than specializing in a handful. Even Harvard isn’t well-known or highly-ranked for engineering. Interdisciplinary opportunities or pursuing certificates and minors present a compelling reason how UT can help customize and tailor degree plans to match your interests.

Four-Year Liberal Arts Admit 4.0 GPA

My decision to enroll at the University of North Texas was ill–informed. Initially, I believed that, far enough away from my family yet close enough to return home every few weeks, I could grow on my terms. This unfortunate decision was fostered by my perspective of academic environments and the “college life.” I believed a university education was something purely academic, never multifaceted.

As someone who has never considered myself particularly school–spirited, I did not feel the need to be connected to any larger community. I viewed my transition to college simply as a stepping stone to the next chapter of my life, a means to an end and not something inherently valuable.

I chose UNT by process of elimination. I wanted to attend a Texas public university, but not as close as San Marcos and Austin or even College Station or Houston. However, the more time I spent in Denton, the more I realized that there was a low ceiling for my potential to grow. I felt like a “big fish in a small pond” and my development, both intellectual and social, stalled.

I have always aspired to something greater, something more challenging, something different. These aspirations, unfortunately, were not able to be experienced at UNT. My courses were stagnant, easy, “go with the flow”––the exact opposite of what I needed. Most students around me, even those within the Honors College, did not study for major exams or complete their assignments on time. It made me restless and uneasy.

As time wore on, I concluded I was not finding the challenges I originally sought. I refused to settle into the mediocre routines around me and merely coast along with strong, yet hollow grades. The more I considered and explored my academic goals and future, the clearer it became that only the University of Texas offers the rigor and challenge that I seek.

This fall, I visited the 40 Acres and immediately noticed a striking difference. Nearly every other student I came across wore burnt orange; people walked confidently and actually socialized on campus. There seemed to be a school spirit that was conspicuously absent at UNT. The University of Texas felt like a family, a cohesive yet still fiercely individualistic unit. Even with a just a two–hour visit to the 40 Acres, I could already feel its infectious energy creeping up inside me, a feeling I would not soon forget.

I had not considered that a university experience could be both academically enriching and spiritually fulfilling. Instantly, I knew where I needed to call home. My fascination and excitement was furthered with the University of Texas when I researched the Anthropology Department. I was amazed at the never–ending opportunities for research. For example, Dr. Courtney Handman’s focus on linguistic anthropology and her examination of recently–converted Protestant indigenous communities in rural Papua New Guinea related to my interests of languages, religion, and their convergence.

My passion with linguistic anthropology began when I was nine years old when my parents took me on my first international trip. We traveled throughout Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain, Sicilia, and Croatia. With each country, there was an entire new method of communication, an entirely new way of life.

Exposure to different cultures and languages, however, was not an entirely new concept. I live in a bilingual home. My father grew up in Madrid and learned both Spanish and English. My father wanted to share a vital part of his identity and childhood with me, and we communicate primarily in Spanish. Later, I became unsatisfied with only speaking two languages, and self–studied French.

By the time I entered high school, I could converse fluently with both my French and Spanish teachers. These experiences continue to shape and inform my desire to balance the arts and sciences by studying linguistic anthropology before enrolling in medical school. 

Commentary

Since they are applying to a non-STEM program with a 4.0, it isn’t necessary for this applicant to discuss their grades or relevant coursework. Despite having a high chance of gaining admission based on their grades, they leave little room for doubt by submitting a thoughtful essay that honestly describes their decision to attend UNT and why that isn’t working out.

It’s a balanced essay that focuses equally on where they’re coming from and how UT can help them explore their interests and achieve their long-term goals. Any time a transfer applicant comes from a four-year university, its essential to discuss tastefully why they don’t feel their current university is a good fit. We worked for a while on striking the right tone.

Discussing why UT is a great fit and why you want to transfer often requires developing why you’re currently dissatisfied. Their reviewer can no doubt relate to their story of not knowing what they want as a high school student and how attending college gives them an idea of what they don’t prefer moving forward.

UT has extensive study abroad and language programs, and they develop well how UT offers resources not accessible at any other public university. They demonstrate how their current studies and travels abroad inform them that although they want to change universities, they want to continue majoring in Anthropology.

Interested in working together? Complete my questionnaire for a free e-mail consultation.

Moody College of Communications Admitted Transfer 3.3 GPA

I am currently enrolled as a first-year student at Collin College in Frisco, Texas, and I want to finish my studies at the University of Texas in Austin majoring in public relations.

My decision to attend Collin stemmed from my mediocre grades in high school – I wanted a fresh start at a college close to home.  Though I was accepted at a few well-ranked Texas public universities, I had higher aspirations.  I felt that I could improve my grade point average while completing prerequisite courses transferable anywhere.  I lived at home allowing me to save money, help my family, and continue working at my job.

Due to my family’s dire financial situation, I initially wanted to pursue a degree in business and finance solely to be more financially secure and allow me the opportunity to raise my own family someday. I took several business-related classes in high school and college.  My goal has always been to transfer to UT and earn a degree in finance. 

In preparation for transfer, I took Algebra, Pre-calculus, and Calculus 1 and 2.  Math is not my strongest subject, and I found Pre-calculus and Calculus to be especially difficult.  Despite joining a study group and meeting with the professor but, unfortunately, it wasn’t enough. My low math grades are not for lack of effort. 

At the time, I was taking care of my mother, a single parent, and coordinating her transfer to rehab for alcohol addiction. I became the head of household responsible for caring for my three younger sisters. I became a full-time student, employee, and house mom. Instead of getting discouraged by my setback in calculus, I saw it as an opportunity to grow and reconsider my future. I realized that if math isn’t my strong suit, I probably won’t enjoy a career in banking. I feel like many of my friends want to go to business school, but don’t actually enjoy the work or have the skills required to be a successful student. I felt that my decision to pursue finance came not from my own motivations, but pressures from friends, family, and society.

I considered my strengths, and now I understand that I love communicating with people and solving problems. I’m the go-to person in my friend group when relationships end or problems happen at school, and I am used to handling family crises at home. I want to help solve problems on behalf of companies, and I feel that public relations is my perfect fit.

I learned to communicate effectively at an early age. No matter what situation my family was going through, my sisters and other relatives considered my opinions and often put my suggestions into practice. My survival and quality of life depends on resolving conflicts for work, for my internship, and for relaying messages within a divided family.  Recognizing my strength, I feel that public relations would be the perfect major for me. 

To gain firsthand experience and test my decision, I took on a Public Relations/Blogger Relations internship for Conscious Couture.  Through reaching out to bloggers that have PR firms, I am reassured that I made the right decision and have truly found what I love.  Also, I have previous professional experience as an executive assistant for Texas Family Fitness. I was constantly phoning clients, communicating with employees, setting up meetings, proposing new ideas, and managing conflict in the workplace.

After doing research, I learned that UT has one of the best public relations departments and employs world-renowned faculty. I especially like the internship requirement and career placement resources. My goal is to begin with a major public relations firm and, ultimately, establish my own firm.  If I decide to continue my studies after my bachelor’s, the LBJ School of Public Affairs seems like an appealing way to transition into government work. 

Commentary

This student had a 3.0 by the deadline, and since they had less than 24 hours completed, UT waited to decide after receiving their spring grades. They made a D in Calculus, so this essay helps contextualize that grade.

I appreciate that this essay is very straightforward. They get right to the point of why they are at their current university, what they hope to study at UT, and how their goals evolved.

One pitfall of extenuating circumstances essays is they tend towards hyperbole and over-exaggeration. This applicant provides balance and nuance to their issues at home and concrete ways that they’ve developed and matured over time. They also link their special circumstances into their proposed major, Public Relations.

They also develop well how their professional experiences and internship further influence their decision to transfer. Their Essay A complements and provides context to their expanded resume. They argue convincingly that UT is the best fit for them because of its strong academics while still being close enough to home to visit on the weekends.

Putting their poor calculus grade into context, articulating but not going overboard about their special circumstances, and demonstrating their fit for major undoubtedly played a major role in them gaining admission to UT.

Check out my new book Surviving the College Admissions Madness and Youtube Channel

OOS Moody College of Communications Admit 3.41 GPA

It was early in 2016 and I needed a job. Seton Hall – my current university – costs about $14,000 per semester just for tuition. Growing up with the potential to be the first in my family to attend college, I never took college enrollment for granted. I saw the financial burden my decision placed on my parents. I came across a job listing for a Human Resources Policy Management Resource for Johnson & Johnson. After a rigorous interview process, they offered me one of three openings among hundreds of college-educated applicants. It was a long shot since I don’t study business and I lack professional experience. My position was no mere internship; I began working in March as a full-time contractor.

With no awareness of the corporate world, I had to learn office politics, bureaucracy, and division of responsibilities on the fly. I updated human resources policies from Johnson & Johnson’s global business holdings and received approval from the policy owner and the legal department. Next, we worked with translators from 30+ languages to convert the documents into their language of origin. Finally, I uploaded the policies onto the HR Portal for the thousands of employees to see.

I functioned as the liaison between policy owners and J&J, including those in non-English speaking countries, who were operating in different time zone. Working cross-culturally can be a challenge, but I learned quickly. I stayed organized and met intense deadlines assigned to my team by the Vice President of Global HR Services. I worked thirty to forty hours each week while taking a full course load.

Before my Johnson & Johnson contract expired, the Director of Human Resources, impressed with my work, suggested that I interview for another position. I received a job offer; however, Jeffery Vanderbeek, the former Vice President of the Lehman Brothers and former Chairman and Owner of the New Jersey Devils, called me. Nearing retirement, he recently accepted the football head coach position at Somerville High School near my hometown. Jeff heard about an online radio station I started for my alma matter Immaculata High School. He offered me a job on the spot to run the communications efforts for Somerville Football. I accepted with much excitement so I could continue pursuing my communications passion.

I began by building a website and managing their nascent social media channels. I started producing a weekly documentary series following their progress during the season. I hired and managed two media interns. I divided responsibilities and maintained our daily schedule to keep our workflow moving smoothly. Some might write this off as merely doing work for a High School team, but I disagree.

I answered every day to a man who occupied corner offices atop Wall Street skyscrapers and oversaw operating budgets in the tens of billions of dollars. He asked same of me as with his Lehman Brothers partners. While that could understandably be stressful, working for Johnson and Johnson prepared me for adapting to pressure and navigating powerful personalities.

Somerville and Mr. Vanderbeek helped me become a team player and showcase the best side of their football team. Mr. Vanderbeek served as a mentor to me and everyday pushed me to achieve more. I am eternally grateful for his lessons on leadership and how, with ambition and hard work, I can also rise to the top to my future career, broadcasting.

I visited UT in October and immediately felt at home. I sat impressed through a taping for Texas Student Television in the Moody College of Communications. I had been around video production for a number of years, but never had I seen such a group of talented professionals my age working so passionately. It really brought about much excitement within me and reignited the fire I have for the profession. The RTF program at UT is a world-class education with deep industry connections. It is where I need to be.

Commentary

Like the previous example, this straightforward essay addresses all of the things that UT reviewers are looking for. They discuss the context and buyer’s remorse about attending an expensive private university, but they don’t dwell on it.

Instead, they focus on their strengths - pursuing a highly selective and well-paying internship and relevant social media/broadcasting examples. Since they had an influential mentor who also submitted a reference letter, their Essay A develops well their argument that they are prepared to succeed at UT-Austin.

They applied as an out-of-state student from New Jersey, so they also address in their last paragraph how UT can help them achieve their goals. Providing specific observations from their visit let’s the review know that they are making an informed decision to transfer.

Although they changed their major from RTF to Journalism after arriving on campus, they secured a recent, highly prestigious internship at the CBS Morning Show in Manhattan. They are also involved with Texas Student Television, so there’s no doubt UT extending this student an offer pays dividends for the university.

UT-Austin utilizes the transfer process to bring leaders onto campus who can introduce different perspectives to classroom discussions and student organizations.

Liberal Arts Geography 3.65 GPA Admit - ACC

This fall, I moved to Austin, and it was the best choice I ever made. Choosing Austin Community College over other four-year universities was an easy choice. Moving from a small North Texas suburb to the state’s capital of Texas came as a big change. I wanted to live in Austin, develop my sense of self, and explore future opportunities. My parents were much less involved in my life than my friends’ parents, which made me more self-reliant than others. I’ve worked a few jobs that taught me the importance of time management and accountability.

Growing up, my family and I took many road trips to Austin because my dad earned his degree from McCombs and became a Texas Ex. He loved showing us “the best school on Earth.” My favorite childhood memories involved visiting the capitol and strolling The Drag. Cheering with other Longhorns at Darrell K Royal at my first football game inspired me to call UT home someday. Austin feels much more vibrant and authentic than my hometown. I’m thankful for the change of scenery; however, living in The Callaway House, surrounded mostly by UT students, sometimes makes me feel sad because I want to be in their position. Living with them encourages me to continue working hard to achieve my goal of earning my UT degree. 

Living in Austin helps prepare me for my future at UT. Each day offers new opportunities to learn, meet new people, and explore the city. When I’m not at school or doing my homework, I soak up every second, immersing myself in Austin culture. I go downtown for music shows and hike around Barton Creek Greenbelt. Gaining my bearings here will help me transition to a four-year university rather than potentially changing both cities and universities if I’m not admitted. I’m extremely fortunate that I can afford to live here because other teenagers may not have the same opportunities. 

I have effortlessly adapted to the Austin lifestyle thanks to making new friends. Although my goal is to be on the Forty Acres, I’m focusing on my schoolwork and maximizing my opportunities at ACC. I want to major in geography with a possible anthropology minor. My favorite courses cover those subjects; they’ve been my best college professors thus far. They’re unlike any I’ve ever taken because they share how humans interact with the world now and throughout history. It fascinates me to know where we come from. 

My time at ACC is essential for my academic growth. This semester has been the most eye-opening of my life. I’ve learned much from my professors, peers, and the city. I’m active in our chapter’s Geology Club, which I joined this semester to further my interest in the natural world. It’s an opportunity to make friends, explore issues in my related major geography, and listen to lectures with area professionals. Geology Club helps me explore possible careers in the classroom or the field. 

UT has impressive geography and anthropology departments. One reason I enjoy geography is that it applies to so many fields. I want to take classes with Dr. Troy M. Kimmel, a well-known meteorologist. Climate and weather are essential to understanding how we interact with our planet. One of the enthralling opportunities the university offers is the Geographic Information Science (GIS) program. GIS technology helps scientists and engineers capture, store, and display mapping data. Maps are an essential tool, and studying geography in the 21st century involves cutting-edge technology. I look forward to the challenge of learning new skills and techniques in exciting classes and finding my community in UT student organizations.  

Commentary

I’m not generally a fan of students moving out-of-county to enroll at ACC. I detail in this post how ACC does not help nor make a difference in UT transfer admissions. Most students are better off attending their local community college unless they come from a rural county with few post-high school options. However, this applicant makes a compelling case for how moving to Austin and living with UT students helped them mature and develop their academic interests. Detailing specific places they visit and how they spend their time in Austin helps the reader visualize how they might be as a UT student.

They do an effective job of detailing specific courses and ACC resources that help them explore their interests in Geography and Anthropology. Identifying specific UT opportunities also demonstrates to the reviewer that they’ve done their research about UT resources specific to them. It’s essential to avoid vagueness like “UT has a top Geography deparetment.”

Psychology 3.7 GPA admit - Special Circumstances

I enrolled at Out of State University (OOSU) to distance myself from a troubled childhood and to start fresh. My parents went through a bitter divorce when I was eleven years old, with effects that linger today. As part of the divorce agreement, my mom forewent money for herself to ensure college tuition was provided for my brothers and me. However, in March, my dad reneged on the legal agreement and informed me that I needed to take out loans to afford my education. My mom and I can’t afford legal representation, so I had no choice but to withdraw and return home to Texas.

My dad left Texas my senior year and has been sailing on his yacht. His new fiance, who is not much older than me, rationalizes his behavior. “Your dad isn’t bipolar; he’s just a sociopath.” In middle and high school, I spent time researching the varied diagnoses and labels batted around between mental health professionals and my family: bipolar, sociopathy, addiction, suicide ideation, narcissism, major depressive disorder. Learning that my dad has been diagnosed with Antisocial Personality disorder allows me to see through his manipulations. Acknowledging his abnormal neurology helps me feel more compassionate and occasional pity despite the harm he’s caused to our family.

My time at OOSU didn’t go exactly as I planned. I walked what I now realize was an unhealthy path, gravitating to friends who also live with trauma yet handle it poorly. Even in the best circumstances, it’s challenging to opt-out or avoid OOSU’s drug and party culture. I used substances to numb my pain. My time away, however, opened up aspects of my trauma and provided a necessary step in my healing process.

I found healing through a meditation class that gave me a new way to examine my emotions and coping mechanisms. Mindfulness has become a centerpiece of my life. I follow interviews and self-compassion research by UT Professor Kristin Neff, who shares the simple but profound practice of self-kindness and cleaning up your internal dialogue. Finding internal balance helps me develop confidence and work towards my goals. I hope to attend her Mindful Self-Compassion workshops and conduct undergraduate research. Knowledge and education are the keys to a more purposeful and sincere life by confronting my mental health struggles and empowering others to do the same.

Although I mainly maintained A’s at OOSU, I’m still hard on myself for not earning a 4.0. The many AP credits I accrued in high school may be a disadvantage, as I know that UT prefers students with fewer hours. Despite my stumbles, I’m incredibly grateful for my time at OOSU as a stepping stone for currently living the life that serves my family and me best at this time. 

My healing journey and family dynamics motivate me to continue studying psychology. The most influential course I took at OOSU was abnormal psychology because it presented fresh perspectives on depression that helped me confront my anxiety. I’m committed to spending the next two or three years completing my Bachelor’s in Texas.

During the pandemic, I have kept myself busy by reflecting on my future and who I want to be. I’ve worked two jobs, including one at my mom’s restaurant, Mason and Dixie, where I’ve worked since middle school. My mom is my rock and best friend. She encourages me to be self-sufficient and not depend solely on someone else.

After their divorce, my mom had the courage to start two restaurants. She makes everything from scratch, sources local and organic products, and uses her resources to help charities. One offers jobs to women who have survived and escaped domestic violence. At UT, I hope to join BreadwinnHER to develop my leadership abilities further and connect with other inspirational women.

Currently, I find happiness through journaling and my passion for expressing myself through makeup. Making myself and others feel beautiful through artful makeup design is one of my greatest joys in life. I’m incredibly close to my family and am excited to be in Austin with my three older brothers, one of whom is a UT Austin alumnus.

Returning to my roots and keeping our restaurant afloat has helped me center myself and reconsider my priorities. The past seven months have involved intense healing and reflection. I feel more at peace than ever before, ready to move on from painful memories and continue my journey to become a mental health professional by earning my UT degree.

Commentary

UT-Austin has recently removed the requirement to submit a second essay. In the past, all transfer applicants needed to submit an essay about an “issue of importance” or “special circumstances.” As of 2024, the only essay that a student can submit is the Statement of Purpose outlined in this post. For students with special or extenuating circumstances, that requires conveying all of that information and context in this single essay. It doesn’t make sense to me that first-time freshmen can submit an optional special circumstances essay but not transfer.

Regardless, this applicant weaves their reasons for transferring and majoring in Psychology. Their reasons for enrolling out of state stem directly from their troubled home life, and being far from home exacerbated those tensions. They also had almost 90 hours on their transcript, so they addressed this concern directly. Identifying a course that shapes their interests helped demonstrate to reviewers that they’ve pursued their interests in the classroom. The pandemic also necessitated withdrawing from the university and taking time off from school to assist their mom. Concluding with the confidence that they are mentally ready and academically able to excel in their UT studies helps close the loop on their healing journey.

Check out my new book Surviving the College Admissions Madness and Youtube Channe

Interested in working together?