Personal statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Personal Statement Example Then my destiny played its part. The news that Hawaii School of Pharmacy was not approved for accreditation by ACPE shocked me and soon the school was ordered to down the shutters. I returned home, finding it extremely difficult to absorb this shock. I felt as if someone has cut and threw the growing sapling of my career. But soon I overcame my depression and decided to make a fight out of it. I was determined to be a pharmacist come what may! My sister’s ideal was always a source of encouragement to me. She was a pharmacist at the famous teaching hospital in Los Angeles and I was fascinated about career as a pharmacist. I list out some points in support of my decision to shape as a pharmacist. I have the natural instinct to learn about life sciences and the greatest joy in this career is the practical application of the theories that I have learnt and helping the sick patients gives me great satisfaction. A career in pharmacy involves lots of interaction with other health care professionals and I can learn something new. Interaction with the patients goes to improve my practical knowledge about sickness and the remedial measures. Involvement in the healthcare needs of the sick and the poor people is the ultimate goal of my life. Devotion to the people, I consider, is devotion to the Supreme Self. To help the sick is the greatest act of merit according to me. A series of positive developments began to take shape in my life. In 2005, I attended classes at community centers and toiled hard to get good grades. I resumed work on honorary basis as a pharmacy assistant at Kindred Hospital. I gained valuable experience as for paperwork, assisting and organizing patients’ files, observed how pharmacists interact with doctors, nurses and technicians and mastered what professionalism is all about. In the summer of 2006, I passed the Pharmacy Technician Certificate Board (PTCB) exam and then worked as a pharmacy

The Current Economic Climate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Current Economic Climate - Essay Example There are some challenges and biggest opportunities facing with new managers entering an industry. The global environment has continuously become a challenge to emerging managers. This reminds them of a very important thing and that is for them to acquire useful skills in order to reach a high level of competitive advantage. For instance, in the age of information technology (IT), it is no longer reliable and enough to rely on traditional management system. Modern managers must be able to have important knowledge on how to integrate his or her leadership skills in the midst of substantial breakthroughs in areas of IT. This is a great challenge among those managers who were trained without prior exposure to a high level of advancement in IT. Very few companies offered IT programs in the onset of online communication, technological innovation in information management system and so on. In fact, many managers nowadays are not that adept in using various features in IT in leading their p ersonnel especially in companies that require constant communication and interaction on a daily basis. However, this is an advantage among those emerging managers who are mostly adept and have substantial background in IT. They can all integrate their knowledge in IT in their leadership and in fact, this would make them highly competitive in today’s prevailing economic climate. It is the current global trending that for a company or organisation to stay on top and be a cut above the other, various management modifications are necessary and application of IT is just among of them. Management on the other hand is such a complicated process because it deals personally with the human resource with also complex behaviours and needs. Thus, all managers are faced with substantial challenges especially on motivating and applying their skills in the work place, but above all they all are tested with their commitment (Hawell, 2009). All of these are essential factors in achieving goals of the company. Thus, those managers who are committed are more willing to seek for more information on how to improve performance of their personnel and one of the basic approaches is motivating them. To motivate the entire human resource is another great challenge. In times of downward spiraling economy for instance, the managers must be able to apply substantial moves especially among those employees who are asking for more financially from the economic stand point. It requires not just constant communication, but ample opportunities in motivating them even without the need to use monetary equivalence. In other words, the managers must be able to apply their skills and full potential in creating more innovative approaches in motivating the human resource to function effectively most especially in both promising and challenging economic times. This is both a challenge and opportunity for emerging managers as they would substantially focus on innovation, and apply modern approach in management. Another point, every business is faced with competition and this is how it is for the rest of almost all organisations around the world. Competition simply is everywhere. Thus, every manager therefore must be geared with substantial knowledge on this issue. A facilitative style of leadership might be required and that would ensure substantial use of communication process (Hartwig, 2008). In this approach, emerging managers have the full advantage as they

Document Analysis of John Browns Address to the Virginia Court Essay Example for Free

Document Analysis of John Browns Address to the Virginia Court Essay The address given by John Brown to the Virginia court was his final words before execution on charges of treason. The charges were given because of a raid that he directed with the intent to take federal weapons which is an act of treason. On October 16th-18th, 1859, the radical abolitionist John Brown led a group of white and black men, including two of his sons, on Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Brown’s goal was to seize the federal arsenal, arm the local slaves, and fight a way into the North as described in this primary source in court. This raid was not surprising because of his abolitionist background and insanity as described by the Robert E. Lee who led the Union Army that suppressed the revolt. The group held up in a fire department and was attacked by Lee’s soldiers. The failed attempt resulted in Brown’s capture, trial, and execution on December 2nd. This episode of slave resistance was the last major rebellion contributing to the secession of the South and, eventually, the Civil War. Purpose: John Brown had a a few purpose for delivering this address. Obviously, it was given in response to charges accumulated from the raid, and the address also makes several points explaining his defense. Brown stated that he did not intend to fire a single gun but wanted simply to take slaves from plantations and lead them to northern states or Canada. Brown also stated that he did not induce the others involved in the raid to join him which lessened his crime in his mind. To the charges he addressed, â€Å"I never did intend murder, or treason, or the destruction of property, or to excite or incite slaves to rebellion, or to make insurrection. Though he denied the charges, one can infer that Brown really did want a slave uprising to occur in the South due to his strong abolitionist morals and beliefs. If the raid were to be successful, Brown would not stop with those slaves, but rather continue his forced manumission of the South. Brown’s impression of the trial was one of satisfaction, but he argued that â€Å"it is unjust that I should suffer such a penalty [of death]. † He made this argument because his intent was not to start this uprising but, instead, to be an act of defiance that he knew would indirectly cause a mass insurrection in the South. Value: John Brown’s address is not a historical landmark and was a less significant historical document that had minimal aftermath; however, it provides a specific example of responses in court giving insight into how acts of slave resistance are dealt with legally. Brown gives this document a unique texture because of his eloquence in court compared with his savagery in the raid. Overall, he is given the status of a martyr with his words: â€Å"I submit [to death]: so let it be done! † Brown reveals a very different side of his personality in which he is a dignified martyr. He predicts that slavery will never end peacefully in the country whose â€Å"rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and unjust enactments†. Historians can use this document today to show people strong in their beliefs who act upon them, and although some failed in their efforts, their cause was strengthened. Limitations: The address made by John Brown contains several limitations that affect its credit as a historical source. A significant limiting factor is that there is only one opinion to explain the raid. Brown had a biased opinion mainly because of his childhood having been greatly influenced with abolitionist morals and beliefs. One would think that Brown’s address would be biased in spite of his numerous accusations, but he speaks as if he had nothing to lose. The aiding and abetting criminals in the raid would not have delivered a speech as dignified and passionate as Brown’s but would obviously be similar in their renditions of the event. To fully understand Brown’s raid, historians would need to consult Robert E. Lee’s notes. After viewing both sides of the story, a historian can either choose a side or make an inference that incorporates both.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Essay -- Psychology, Mental Health

Everyone has experienced emotions such as anxiety, fear, and worry; they are a part of everyday life. These reactions are normal and healthy; they typically don't come too often, and when they do, they don't last very long. However, the United States Health and Human Services Department (1998) estimates there is about 3.2 million Americans that suffer from a psychological anxiety disorder called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Those who suffer from this condition have frequent upsetting and unreasonable thoughts, worries, or fears. The Harvard Mental Health Letter (1998) notes that: â€Å"The most common obsessional theme is cleanliness (dirt and germs), followed by aggression and sex, safety, and order or symmetry. Obsessions may take the form of doubts (has something happened to my child?); fears (something might happen to the child); images (I see the child drowning); or impulses (I fear that I am going to harm the child)† (para. 13). In an attempt to control these obsessional themes, they perform one or more ritualistic behaviors or mental acts called compulsions. Unfortunately, these behaviors only relieve the intrusive thoughts and feelings for a short time, before coming back and ultimately, trapping those with this condition in a pattern of repetitive obsessions and senseless compulsions. Symptoms of OCD are numerous, they include: Repeated touching, checking or counting; avoidance or adherence to certain numbers; excessive washing or cleaning; and hoarding. Karno (1998) found that â€Å"At some time during their lives, often during their late teens or twenties, 2 to 3 percent of people cross [the] line from normal preoccupations and fussiness to debilitating disorder† (as cited in Myers, 2011, p. 463-464). Many individuals ... ... their thoughts to a point where they can tolerate behavioral therapy and live somewhat of a normal life'† (Kato, 1992). Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a difficult condition to overcome. â€Å"A 40-year follow-up study of 144 Swedish people diagnosed with the disorder found that, for most, the obsessions and compulsions had gradually lessened, though only 1 in 5 had completely recovered (Skoog & Skoog, 1999)† (as cited in Myers). It can take months or years, to get OCD under control and in fact, it may never go away. However, celebrities such as Howard Hughes, Howie Mandel, and David Beckham all suffer from this disorder, and are able to keep it under control and happen to maintain successful careers and live a relatively normal life. They are proof to the millions of OCD stricken Americans that the counting, the cleaning, the hoarding, can eventually be controlled.

External environment Essay

Recently I celebrated New Year’s Eve with a good friend – a small business owner in the automotive spray painting industry. We did the usual. Liberal doses of food and alcohol were consumed, and there was no shortage of laughter. During the course of the evening, my friend asked, â€Å"Why it is that some people have an apparent midis touch? † It’s a question I’m often asked. Is it purely luck, or is their success a result of something more cognitive? I responded by saying, â€Å"While luck may play a role, the vast majority of the highly successful business people I’ve met over the past 25 years do one thing in common – and they do it extraordinarily well. They monitor their business environment to predict future market trends. They analyse external forces, such as their competitive environment, economic conditions, technological possibilities, political and legal forces, changes in demographics, seasonal factors, as well as shifts in social behaviour†. Basically they engage their crystal ball and they do it much better than most. Needless to say, on New Year’s Day I was feeling a tad lethargic. A restful day; it did, however, give me time to think about our conversation and the various macro-external forces which confronted Australian businesses in 2011. You could say it was a self-inflicted day of reflection. These are just a mere example of what the successful men and women, above, analyse in advance. Of course, not all forces can be accurately predicted in advance. The 2010 New Zealand earthquake disaster is a prime example. Well, what a year it was. There were many challenges presented largely by macro-external forces. Although the mainstream media were reporting that business confidence was on the rise, this clearly, from my consultation with industry, wasn’t the general consensus. Sure there were pockets of our economy which performed well – a notable performer being our seemingly ever-resilient resource sector. Australia’s ASX 200, however, lost ground in the 12-months to December 31, closing at 4745. 20. While retail trade continued to display considerable volatility, as did the automotive sector. Indeed, success in the latter two areas hinged largely around the deployment of discount pricing tactics. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) progressively increased interest rates. Although these were predominantly in 25 basis point increments, they adversely affected consumer confidence when it came to purchasing large ticket items, such as domestic housing as well as non-essential luxuries. However, from a global comparison viewpoint, Australia exhibited very good buoyancy. Our currency, the AUD, had reached a 28 year historic high against the United States Dollar (USD), trading above parity with the greenback for the first time since the currency was initially floated in 1982. No doubt off-shore investment in the AUD was vigorously fuelled by the variance in comparative lending rates between the two countries. The financial attractiveness of imports caught Australian consumers’ attention, stimulated by the AUD’s appreciation. Online shopping, as a result, continued to gain popularity. More consumers than ever before were importing goods directly from off-shore retailers, in the process often avoiding goods and services tax (GST). Not surprisingly, this infuriated domestic retailers, who were not able to offer their customers’ the same loophole. Major retailers including Myer, David Jones and Harvey Norman are now investigating the possibility of enhancing their e-commerce presence, in a bid to alleviate any further sales erosion. They’re also vigorously fighting the federal government in their quest for an even playing field, with this initiative let by billionaire, Gerry Harvey. And Queensland’s peculiar weather patterns caused havoc. With many Central Queensland towns and parts of the Darling Downs being flood ravaged, sadly the recent natural disaster left many people homeless. The cost of damage, as I write, is still mounting by the hour. Needless to say, the building and automotive industries will be the beneficiaries of this tragic twist of fate. South East Queensland wasn’t left unscathed, either. Hail storms caused extensive devastation in parts, keeping insurance companies and panel beaters busy for some time to come. It’s fair to say, while panel beaters and automotive spray painters can look forward to a prosperous 12 months ahead, insurers are likely to be less optimistic about their feasibility over the same period of time. Food for thought: Here are just a number of starter questions which you might like ask yourself: 1. What is likely to happen to my business should the AUD dive back into sub-parity against the USD? 2. If interest rates rise, will this help or hinder my business? Why? 3. Are my competitors’ outperforming me? If so, what exactly are they doing which is making them more successful? 4. Are my competitors’ weak in a particular area? Am I able to capitalise upon this chink in their armour? 5. Is my business sensitive to, or reliant upon, seasonal factors? These might include specific climatic conditions. And, are these seasonal needs likely to transpire? 6. Are there any looming additions or amendments to legislation which could positively or adversely affect my business?

Operations Management in Tesco - 5444 Words

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT AT TESCO PLC: MANAGING FINANCE, PEOPLE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AT THE ORGANISATION Abstract In this assignment, we will take the case of Tesco to understand the strategies it used to manage finance at the company. The second part of the assignment will concentrate of the human resource management practices adopted by Tesco and the finance part of the assignment will be concerning the information system strategy at Tesco. Table of Contents Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..4 PART A: Managing Finance†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..4 PART B: Managing People†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.8 PART C: Managing Information†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..13 References†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦16 Introduction In this†¦show more content†¦A financial abatement mainly consists of four main components which are balance sheets, profit and loss account, cash flow statements and income statement. Each component has different function which can be lined out as: Balance Sheets: It provides the financial situation of the company as a whole. It records the tangible and intangible goods that the company owes or owns. The three categories in a balance sheet are assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity. The assets are basically categorised in to current assets, fixed assets and other assets. The liabilities section of the balance sheet consists of current liabilities and long term liabilities. The shareholders equity represents the net worth of the company. In balance sheet, the shareholder’s equity is calculated as the sum of liabilities and net worth. Profit and Loss Account: it summarizes the incomes and expenses of a company in a given period of time. This includes accruals which are incomes that will be realised only after the particular profit and account was prepared. Cash Flow Statements: These statements are very important to predict the future flow of finance in the company. The cash flow statement is concerned with understanding if there is enough money for all the activities and expenses of the company and stands as a good measure for a company’s liquidity. Income Statement: The income statements are used toShow MoreRelatedOperations Management in Tesco1597 Words   |  7 PagesWhy is Operations Management so important in this organisation? In order to define why Operations Management is needed in an organisation knowledge of operations management is required. Operations management is an area of management concerned with overseeing, designing, and redesigning business operations in the production of goods and/or services. It includes the responsibility of ensuring that business operations are efficient by using as few resources as needed, and effective in termsRead MoreTesco Logistics and Operations Management584 Words   |  2 PagesWhat is operations management? â€Å"Operations management is key to achieving competitive advantage for organizations, whether they are in manufacturing industry or service industry. Operations management addresses the questions an organization faces in its choice of products and manufacturing technology, utilization of capacity, maintenance of quality, costing and sourcing of materials, and customer handling policies.† What is logistics? â€Å"Logistics is the art of managing the supply chain and scienceRead MoreFunctions Of Operations Management At Tesco Plc3232 Words   |  13 Pages Part-1 Introduction Operations management has gained significant importance among academicians and business practitioners in recent years because managing business operations profoundly impacts an organisation’s costs, and is therefore a basic key to achieving the competitive advantage (Barnes, 2008). Organisations can operate its business successfully only if it is able to manage its operation activities efficiently and effectively by making best use of the resources at its disposal and by ensuingRead MoreSystem and Operation Management. Critical Evaluation of Relevant Issue. Tesco Case Study4502 Words   |  19 PagesIntroduction The 21st century has brought about several improvements in business strategies and operations. Most businesses have realized that to be very effective in their given industry the internal operations of such businesses have to be to the highest level of standardized efficiency (Wang et al 2010). These busineses have also realized that the effective management of the systems and daily operations of the organisation would facilitate organisational productivity and result in maximization ofRead MoreTesco Plc : A British Multinational Basic Need And General Stock Retailer1719 Words   |  7 PagesTesco PLC is a British multinational basic need and general stock retailer board in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom. It is the third biggest retailer on the planet measured by profits and second-biggest retailer on the planet measured by incomes. It has stores in 12 nations crosswise over Asia and Europe and is the basic supply advertise pioneer in the UK (where it has a piece o f the overall industry of throughout 28.4%), Ireland, Hungary, Malaysia, and Thailand. Tesco was establishedRead MoreManagement Role : Store Manager Essay836 Words   |  4 PagesActivity 7 Management role - store manager: Leadership Management skills – For a manager within Tesco these two combined skills are the most important within the store as the store manager is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the store and how well/smoothly the store is run. Failure to have these could lead a lack of control of staff and the store, which could in the long haul lead to loss of money if problems arrive. Experience in the job – The candidate for the job will almostRead MoreThe Relationship Between Unique Resources and Competitive Advantage for Mega-Retailers1773 Words   |  7 Pageswhile in other cases such attributes may be less easily discernible. To gain some fresh insights into this area with respect to the global retailing sector, this paper provides a review of the relevant literature concerning Walmart, Carrefour and Tesco to determine the extent to which their respective competitive advantages are due to the possession of unique resources. A summary of the research and important findings are presented in the papers conclusion. Review and Analysis Background and Overview Read MoreHuman Resource Management Is The Key Approach For The Organization1680 Words   |  7 Pagesoriented and stability. Human Resource Management plays a main role in the business to carry out greatest capability in an extremely fulfilling way. Human Resource Management is the key approach for the organizations. The people working independently and collectively together contribute for the success of the objectives in the commerce. It is as well termed as personnel management as the procedure is involved in organizing people. Human Resource Management employee s people, build up their resourcesRead Morebusne1365 Words   |  6 PagesDue 7/02/2014 Aim The aim of this report is to analysis a case study about an organization called Tesco. In this analysis, I will discuss the purpose of the key business function in the organization. Furthermore, I will analyze the power-grid interest of Tesco’s stakeholder. In addition, I will analyze the key issue in the managing stakeholder. Finally, I will show a SWOT analysis of Tesco. Introduction The business industry is getting wider and competitive. According to HannaganRead MoreData and Technology in Business1053 Words   |  4 PagesData and Technology The successful companys activities (management) are related to collection, storage, and analysis and interpreting data. The purpose of data collection is to get hold of information and to continuously record and to make decisions on key issues. Data collection is the storage of data and prepare for the future process. Moreover, every piece information is a valuable resource in business, such as cost of production, share prices and exchange rates, company reports and market research

Sample College Transfer Essay for Admission

The following sample essay was written by a student named David. He wrote the transfer essay below for the Common Transfer Application in response to the prompt, Please provide a statement that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve (250 to 650 words). David is attempting to transfer from Amherst College to the University of Pennsylvania. As far as admissions standards go, this is a lateral move—both schools are extremely selective.  His letter will need to be extremely strong for his transfer application to be successful. Key Takeaways: A Winning Transfer Essay Have a clear academic reason for your transfer. Personal reasons are fine, but academics need to come first.Stay positive. Dont speak badly of your current school. Emphasize what you like about your target school, not what you dislike about your current school.Be meticulous. Grammar, punctuation, and style matter. Show that you put time and care into your writing. Davids Transfer Application Essay During the summer after my first year of college, I spent six weeks volunteering at an archaeological excavation in Hazor, site of the largest tel (mound) in Israel. My time in Hazor was not easy—wake-up came at 4:00 a.m., and by noontime temperatures were often in the 90s. The dig was sweaty, dusty, back-breaking work. I wore out two pairs of gloves and the knees in several pairs of khakis. Nevertheless, I loved every minute of my time in Israel. I met interesting people from around the world, worked with amazing students and faculty from Hebrew University, and became fascinated with the current efforts to create a portrait of life in the Canaanite period. Upon my return to Amherst College for my sophomore year, I soon came to realize that the school does not offer the exact major I now hope to pursue. Im majoring in anthropology, but the program at Amherst is almost entirely contemporary and sociological in its focus. More and more my interests are becoming archaeological and historical. When I visited Penn this fall, I was impressed by the breadth of offerings in anthropology and archaeology, and I absolutely loved your Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Your broad approach to the field with emphases on understanding both the past and present has great appeal to me. By attending Penn, I hope to broaden and deepen my knowledge in anthropology, participate in more summer field work, volunteer at the museum, and eventually, go on to graduate school in archaeology. My reasons for transferring are almost entirely academic. I have made many good friends at Amherst, and I have studied with some wonderful professors. However, I do have one non-academic reason for being interested in Penn. I originally applied to Amherst because it was comfortable—I come from a small town in Wisconsin, and Amherst felt like home. Im now looking forward to pushing myself to experience places that arent quite so familiar. The kibbutz at Kfar HaNassi was one such environment, and the urban environment of Philadelphia would be another. As my transcript shows, I have done well at Amherst and I am convinced I can meet the academic challenges of Penn. I know I would grow at Penn, and your program in anthropology perfectly matches my academic interests and professional goals. Analysis of Davids Transfer Essay Before we even get to Davids essay, its important to put his transfer into context. David is attempting to transfer into an  Ivy League  school. Penn is not the most selective of the countrys top universities, but the transfer acceptance rate is still around 8% (at Harvard and Stanford, that number is closer to 1%). David needs to approach this effort at transfer realistically —  even with excellent grades and a stellar essay, his chances of success are by no means guaranteed. That said, he has many things going for him — he is coming from an equally demanding college where he has earned good grades, and he seems like the type of student who will certainly succeed at Penn. He will need strong  letters of recommendation  to round out his application. Now on to the essay... David is responding to the prompt on the Common Transfer Application: Please provide a statement (250 words minimum) that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve, and attach it to your application before submission. Lets break down the discussion of Davids transfer essay into several categories. The Reasons for Transfer The strongest feature of Davids essay is the focus. David is pleasingly specific in presenting his reasons for transferring. David knows exactly what he wants to study, and he has a clear understanding of what both Penn and Amherst have to offer him. Davids description of his experience in Israel defines the focus of his essay, and he then connects that experience to his reasons for wanting to transfer. There are lots of  bad reasons to transfer, but Davids clear interest in studying anthropology and archaeology makes his motives seem both well thought-out and reasonable. Many transfer applicants are trying to move to a new college because they are running away from some kind of bad experience, sometimes something academic, sometimes something more personal. David, however, clearly likes Amherst and is running towards something—an opportunity at Penn that better matches his newly discovered professional goals. This is a big positive factor for his application. The Length The Common Transfer Application instructions state that the essay needs to be at least 250 words. The maximum length is 650 words. Davids essay comes in at around 380 words. It is tight and concise. He doesnt waste time talking about his disappointments with Amherst, nor does he put much effort into explaining the things that other parts of his application will cover such as grades and extracurricular involvement. He does have a lot more space left to elaborate, but in this case the letter gets the job done well with few words. The Tone David gets the tone perfect, something that is difficult to do in a  transfer essay. Lets face it—if you are transferring it is because there is something about your current school that you dont like. Its easy to be negative and critical of your classes, your professors, your college environment, and so on. Its also easy to come across as a whiner or an ungenerous and angry person who doesnt have the inner resources to make the most of ones circumstances. David avoids these pitfalls. His representation of Amherst is extremely positive. He praises the school while noting that the curricular offerings do not match his professional goals. The Personality Partly because of the tone discussed above, David comes across as a pleasant person, someone who the admissions folks are likely to want to have as part of their campus community. Moreover, David presents himself as someone who likes to push himself to grow. He is honest  in  his reasons for going to Amherst—the school seemed like a good fit given his small-town upbringing. It  is, therefore, impressive to see him so actively working to expand his experiences beyond his provincial roots. David has clearly grown at Amherst, and he is looking forward to growing more at Penn. The Writing When applying to a place like Penn, the technical aspects of the writing need to be flawless. Davids prose is clear, engaging and free of errors. If you struggle on this front, be sure to check out these  tips for improving your essays style. And if grammar isnt your greatest strength, be sure to work through your essay with someone who does have strong grammar skills. A Final Word on Davids Transfer Essay Davids college transfer essay does exactly what an essay needs to do, and he includes the features of a strong transfer essay. He clearly articulates his reasons for transferring, and he does so in a positive and specific way. David presents himself as a serious student with clear academic and professional goals. We have little doubt that he has the skills and intellectual curiosity to succeed at Penn, and David has made a strong argument about why this particular transfer makes a lot of sense. Odds are still against Davids success given the competitive nature of Ivy League transfers, but he has strengthened his application with his essay.