Hello,
I am a current freshman at a top 40 school looking to transfer, and my college resume is extremely inconsistent. I’ve heard mixed reviews about my chances at transferring to a top 20 school from both my family and current college advisors. I would appreciate any input from some unbiased people in this discussion.
STEM Major
Ethnicity: Hispanic
College GPA: 3.53 (18 credits in the fall)
ACT: 36
EC’s: NCAA Division 1 Soccer Player at a top 15 ranked program (I was a bench player on the team and quite realistically will not see time during my four years), participated in a cancer research program hosted by one of my professors, selected as a writing tutor for next year, volunteer work as part of the athletics program.
My reason for transferring is to pursue a major that is currently not available at my University, only as a minor. As you can see, my GPA is very below average compared to other competitive applicants. My standardized test score is great. I’d like to believe that my extra curricular activities are decent, though I do not have any outstanding academic accolades that many other applicants have.
Please note this is different from entering the transfer portal for NCAA athletes– I am applying strictly as a student and have not contacted any coaches regarding my application.
Wanting to change schools because your current school doesn’t have your major is a valid reason to transfer.
Are you certain you want to transfer, or will you transfer only if it’s T20? If the former, you will need to apply to some match schools, and an affordable safety to make sure you will have the option to transfer.
I can’t chance you, but transferring to a T20 will be a reach for all schools…being URM will help you though. How strong will your LoR(s) be from your college prof(s)? Are there any Cs or Ws on your transcript?
@Mwfan1921
Thank you for responding!
I am certain that I want to transfer, I’ve applied to several match schools as well. I say T20 really because they have the exact opportunities that I am searching for specifically for the major I would like to pursue.
I completely forgot to include letters of recommendation in my original post. They are very good, and one of them is from the professor whom I did research with. I was pretty close with both instructors who wrote my LOR’s, but coincidentally they are also classes I received A’s in.
No C’s or W’s. Just more B’s than A’s unfortunately.
Most colleges’ transfer admissions are more opaque than their frosh admissions, so assessing reach/match/likely/safety can be more difficult for transfer admission than frosh admission. “Top 20” colleges also have varying goals for their transfer intake (e.g. Cornell takes a decent number from NY CCs to its NY contract divisions, while Princeton takes very few, apparently emphasizing non-traditional students, and Harvard apparently favors those from other highly selective four year schools).
Public universities in some states may offer more information on transfer admission.
For sophomore level transfer like you are trying to do, your college record and your high school record will matter.