<p>I'm thinking about the possibility of transferring to a better school that is...better...and also offers better financial aid. Yes, I've read that nearly all schools are less generous with aid to transfers, but I'm fairly confident watered-down financial aid from a top 20 school will be better than what I'm currently getting---at the very least, it will be equally as good (bad).</p>
<p>Anyways, supposing I have a 3.5 GPA after two semesters, can you guys give examples of schools that I have a chance at? I plan to apply to 5-6 slight reaches (maybe one big reach); if I don't get into to any, I'll just stay where I'm currently at.</p>
<p>HS GPA: 3.15 weighted (at a public); 3 AP classes; top 30%
Test scores: 2010 SAT
College GPA: 3.50
College EC's: member of two clubs, intramural sports
College Rec's: I don't know..I guess they'll be okay.</p>
<p>College schedule this semester:</p>
<p>Calculus
Chemistry
Fundamentals of Music
Philosophy (it's the highest level philosophy course offered)</p>
<p>High school EC's don't matter, right? Did I leave anything out?</p>
<p>Anyways, what do you guys think? Is Oberlin realistic? Cornell? Grinnell?</p>
<p>I'm undecided about my major...maybe something in the sciences...idk.</p>
<p>another question… are colleges only able to see grades for the first semester, or do they wait long enough to see the second semester?</p>
<p>I mentioned my “best” high school extracurriculars. Some colleges will only see first semester grades, others will see semester grades + midterm, and others have applications due in June so they may see second semester grades. </p>
<p>Oberlin is probably a reach. Cornell has a high transfer rate for an Ivy, but there are some guaranteed transfers in those numbers. Grinnell didn’t accept very many transfers last year.</p>
<p>The more elite liberal art colleges are a reach for most transfer students. Simply put, they usually have very few openings for transfers, greatly heightening competition for those scarce spots.</p>
<p>I was wait-listed (and never removed from) at a top 25 liberal art school (Kenyon) with a full year’s worth of credits with a 4.0 GPA. I was also a legacy and had numerous letters of recommendation (including one from a Kenyon graduate). They accepted 10 of the 150 applicants. If my past experience with a top liberal art school is any indicator of future instances, you may have an uphill battle. Take advantage of all of your resources, though. These colleges are small, if you show a great interest, you will be noticed.</p>
<p>what do you guys think is within my range?</p>
<p>You should look up the financial aid pledges here: [Project</a> on Student Debt: What’s the Bottom Line?](<a href=“http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org/ncoa_chart.php]Project”>http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org/ncoa_chart.php). Then, you should search the website or contact each school to see if need blind and/ or meets full need applies to transfers. I’m suspicious that some LACs rejected/ waitlisted me instead of gapping me with aid.</p>
<p>would I have trouble transferring to vanderbilt or a university in that ballpark?</p>
<p>Vanderbilt might accept you, since their transfer acceptance rate was so high last year. I’ve heard that they won’t accept as many transfers this year, but it wouldn’t hurt to try.</p>
<p>so you think vandy would be a slight reach? do you have any other suggestions that are similar to vandy?</p>
<p>Alas, I don’t–I’m interested in transferring to Vandy, too, so I’m familiar with its transfer acceptance rate, but I don’t know about other schools. Maybe someone else would have some other suggestions?</p>