Should I include high school experiences on my transfer college application?

I'm in the process of transferring colleges, and I'm wondering if I should include my high school experiences in the application. Is it relevant or should I only focus on my time at the current college?

When completing a transfer college application, you have unique experiences from both high school and your current college, and both can potentially offer valuable context to your application. The ultimate focus should be on your achievements and experiences in college as this is the most recent and hence most relevant information. Consider showcasing your intellectual growth, academic success, extracurricular leadership, and any facet that reflects well on your ability to thrive in a new college environment.

However, if you participated in significant activities or won notable awards in high school – especially if these experiences align well with your future academic or career goals – it's fine to include them in your application. For instance, if you led a community service drive in high school that relates to your chosen field of study, it would be worthwhile to mention. These high school experiences function as additional evidence of your long-term commitment to your interests or your field of study.

You might also want to focus more heavily on high school experiences if your current college experiences have been limited due to the length of time you spent there or if you faced extraordinary circumstances. Just ensure that the experiences you choose to highlight present a consistent narrative about your passions, commitment, and goals.

Remember, the most compelling applications paint a clear, distinctive picture of who you are as an individual and what you can contribute to the college community. Be selective and strategic about what you include!