Common English Mistakes in Transfer Essays by Spanish Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Spanish speakers from Spain when writing a Transfer Essay in English.

Mistake Example #1

Misuse of present continuous ('I am having 30 years of experience' instead of 'I have 30 years of experience')

I am currently studying at the University of Madrid, and I amwanting to transfer to your institution to continue my studies in computer science. I ambelievinge that your program will provide me with the opportunities I amneeding to advance my career. I ambeing very passionate about technology and innovation, and I amhopinge to contribute positively to your academic community.

Text corrected by:
Miss E., Cyprus, Europe

"This is fairly good but it needed a bit of editing. For example, "I am wanting to transfer" should be "I want to transfer" and "I am believing that your program" should be "I believe that your program"."

I am currently studying at the University of Madrid, and I want to transfer to your institution to continue my studies in computer science. I believe that your program will provide me with the opportunities I need to advance my career. I am very passionate about technology and innovation, and I hope to contribute positively to your academic community.

I am currently studying at the University of Madrid, and I am wanting to transfer to your institution to continue my studies in computer science. I am believing that your program will provide me with the opportunities I am needing to advance my career. I am being very passionate about technology and innovation, and I am hoping to contribute positively to your academic community.

Mistake Example #2

Direct translations from Spanish ('It makes sense' vs. 'It has sense')

I am writing this essay to explain why I want to transfer to your university. It hlook forwas sense to merd to pursueing my studies in a place where I can grow both academically and personally. The opportunities that your institution offers are very attractive, and I believe it will make a big difference in my future career.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaking to sound more native and natural."

I am writing this essay to explain why I want to transfer to your university. I look forward to pursuing my studies in a place where I can grow both academically and personally. The opportunities that your institution offers are very attractive, and I believe it will make a big difference in my future career.

I am writing this essay to explain why I want to transfer to your university. It has sense to me to pursue my studies in a place where I can grow both academically and personally. The opportunities that your institution offers are very attractive, and I believe it will make a big difference in my future career.

Mistake Example #3

Confusion between 'do' and 'make' ('I make a mistake' instead of 'I made a mistake')

I am writing this transfer essay because I want to make a change in my academic path. I believe that by transferring to your university, I can domake a better use of my skills and make a significant contribution to the student community. During my previous studies, I madide many efforts to improve my knowledge, but I feel that your institution will make me achieve my full potential.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"It needed some corrections re: make/do."

I am writing this transfer essay because I want to make a change in my academic path. I believe that by transferring to your university, I can make a better use of my skills and make a significant contribution to the student community. During my previous studies, I made many efforts to improve my knowledge, but I feel that your institution will make me achieve my full potential.

I am writing this transfer essay because I want to make a change in my academic path. I believe that by transferring to your university, I can do a better use of my skills and make a significant contribution to the student community. During my previous studies, I did many efforts to improve my knowledge, but I feel that your institution will make me achieve my full potential.