Explicitly acknowledge college transfer in grad apps?

[psychra22]

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I completed my first year of college at a (moderately challenging) state school, then transferred to an ivy league university for my remaining 3 years. I will obviously be submitting both transcripts as part of my applications, but I am wondering if I need to explicitly acknowledge this transfer anywhere else in my application. I'm not necessarily trying to hide this aspect of my app, but all my important research and clinical experiences happened at my second institution or after graduation.... so I have been hesitant to even bother calling out my transfer explicitly like in the personal statement. I do not list the first college on my CV (because it didn't result in a degree, just a year of credits). Do you think admissions committees will be concerned about lack of explanation ... or does it not matter at all and they have transcripts to inform my educational story? One thing I thought might be a good move is to have my undergrad letter of rec writer comment on my ability to succeed in the department after entering as a transfer, but I don't know if this would be unnecessarily calling out something slightly unusual about my app, that's better to just leave be. Thanks!!

 

[psychra22]

By the way, this is for applications to clinical psych PhD programs, and I have two years post-bac research experience that is the main focus of my personal statement.

 

[WisNeuro]

Transferring institutions in undergraduate, I assume? As long as they have all of the transcripts, I doubt most would care at all. Especially because it seems that you traded up, at least in terms of prestige. They'll care much more about other parts of your application (grades, research experience, GRE).

 

[smalltownpsych]

I would just let them assume that you transferred because you felt that you would get a better education at the more prestigious school. The main thing in the personal statement is not to say anything bad. Here is a good link about the kisses of death. http://psychology.unl.edu/psichi/Graduate_School_Application_Kisses_of_Death.pdf

 

[PBCocce]

Unless it is obvious that you are hiding something (e.g., you were expelled), then there is not a glaring reason to me that you will need to explain transferring to an Ivy.

 

[00851341032]

I sent all my transcripts and when applicable in applications filled out dates attended which school. I did not specifically discuss the transfer in my personal statements. It didn't feel like a good use of the limited space in a personal statement. Although it was probably a big decision for you at the time, it's not really that important for helping a PI determine if you would be a good fit.

 

[bmedclinic]

I would just let them assume that you transferred because you felt that you would get a better education at the more prestigious school. The main thing in the personal statement is not to say anything bad. Here is a good link about the kisses of death. http://psychology.unl.edu/psichi/Graduate_School_Application_Kisses_of_Death.pdf

That was actually funny to read. I guess I knew all of those, but never really had thought about it, nor did I know a journal article on it existed.
That said, probably a worthwhile read for everyone trying to gain admission just to make sure they dont commit any KOD's.

 

[clinpsyc87]

I never acknowledged transferring anywhere besides sending transcripts and listing it in the application on schools I had attended, but then when I got to a program I found out a lot of my classmates had listed it in the CV with gpa. I don't know if that is standard practice or not but if so it's not really a universal or enforced type of thing