<p>I am an international student with the following HS credentials :- </p>
<p>HS GPA - 3.65 (from grade 9 - 11). Evaluated by Josef Silny and associates. </p>
<p>SAT - 2030
Math - 700
CR - 700
CW - 630 </p>
<p>Intended Major - Mechanical Engineering
Intended Minor (Optional) - Economics or International Relations. </p>
<p>I am currently in grade 12 and I will be writing the Board exam in March. I follow the Indian curriculum (CBSE) and I am expecting 80% plus. Which is distinction or A-. </p>
<p>Things in my family are not good, not financially, but socially. My parent's are going through a rough break up and I have been sucked in to this whirlpool. I have a sister who lives in Minnesota, with whom I shall be living for a year or two (since family is the one thing I need right now). I have not applied to University of Minnesota - Twin cities and the admissions department have sent me mail saying I wont be accepted for fall 2010 anyways. </p>
<p>So, I have decided to enroll in Minnesota State University - Mankato. I know the school is not quite as good when compared to other universities or even good by itself. But then I read in this very website that it it the student that matters. I have been consistently been a science and math person. I have always had a range of A to A+ in these subjects. I am a very hardworking and determined student. </p>
<p>Now, I am concerned with the transferring process. I do not know the process at all. I have always wanted to attend to UC- Berkley, Michigan or Harvey Mudd (Which is my personal favorite). I do know that these universities are tough to get into. But due to the circumstances I have to attend MNSU for a year or two. </p>
<p>I need to know what I should be doing in MNSU so that I have a good chance of getting in to a very good university and then get my degree.</p>
<p>Look at the courses required for graduation at the universities you think you’d like to transfer to, in the programs you would want to study there. Compare them to the programs offered at MNSU-M. If there are any significant differences in the first year or two of the programs, do your best to pick up those specific courses so that you don’t have too much “make-up” work to do when you transfer.</p>
<p>Also, when your sister who has been in Minnesota for some time tells you that you need to get X or wear Y in order to survive the winters there, believe her.</p>
<p>The answer is simple. Work hard and get the best grades you can. Also, get to know a couple of professors really well so they can write good recommendations. </p>
<p>Transferring into top universities tends to be difficult because most have very high retention rates (i.e, there are few slots for transfers). Some, like Harvard, accept no transfers. But most do and, if you do very well, you should have a reasonable shot. A look at a schools freshmen retention rate will give you a rough idea of how hard it is to transfer in (the higher the retention rate, the more difficult it is). Remember, President Obama transferred from Occidental to Columbia, so it is possible.</p>
<p>Take the most rigorous courses available and keep your cgpa high.
Improve on your SAT, especially for UC-Berkeley.
Take part in EC or research which can make your resume looks great.
Build good relationships with your prof so that you can get good recommendation letters later.</p>
<p>As for the transfer process, there are plenty of resources available online and you can always seek for assistance from the advisor in your college.</p>
<p>Things in my family are not good, not financially, but socially.</p>
<p>So, are you saying that your family can still pay “full freight”? If so, that will be important because UBerkeley won’t give you any aid, and it will cost about $50k per year.</p>
<p>Is Minn St-Mankato close enough to your sister’s home that you can commute? If not, then why go there? Isn’t Mankato about 50 miles from the twin cities?</p>
<p>I realize that you feel that you’ll need family now, but actually, living on campus with a full campus experience may be the distraction that you need right now. I’m wondering if perhaps staying with your sister over the summer, and then going to a better university in the fall (and living on campus) would work for you?</p>
<p>Were you planning to live with your sister and commute to UM-Mankato? Would a community college be a better option in that case? Usually they are cheaper (even for international students), and you could choose a major that has a guaranteed transfer to UM-Minneapolis/St. Paul.</p>
<p>I am planning to stay with my sister for a few months, then live on campus. I have been considering other universities such as Michigan Where I have already applied (and been deferred). </p>
<p>Thanks for the list. But I don’t know which ones are good for engineering (mechanical). Can you help me out with that. </p>