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Duke University
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Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
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800

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Is it cool to recycle my Common App essay for a transfer application?

So, I’ve been thinking a ton about my essay from this year and I honestly love it. If I end up transferring, can I just reuse the same Common App essay or is that frowned upon? Do transfer apps get scrutinized for stuff like that?

a year ago

While there's not an explicit rule against reusing your Common App essay for a transfer application, I'd advise against it. Admissions officers look for growth and experience, especially for transfer students. They want to understand why you're transferring and how you've evolved since your last application.

If you feel the essence of your original essay still represents you best, I suggest adjusting it to reflect new insights or experiences you've had since then. Highlight your development and specifically address why the transfer is the next logical step in your educational journey.

Getting scrutinized isn't the primary concern here; rather, it's about ensuring that your essay content is forward-looking and aligns with your current goals and the mission of the new institution.

a year ago

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