<p>
[quote]
also, do i still, if i bite the bullet, still have time to apply to the ivies? or have i missed the deadline? i can do it all in a weekend, but scores are a different matter.
[/quote]
You have plenty of time! Why do you think the transfer boards are so lively these days? Because of all the transfer students who are writing their applications, their essays, getting professor recs etc ^_^.</p>
<p>I am in the process of writing my essays at the moment.</p>
<p>As for advice on transfer, from an international perspective your college GPA does not matter much beyond your first employment or getting into grad school. Person A graduates with a 3.0 from Harvard, Person B graduates with a 4.0 from Trinity; the Harvard degree will carry much more weight in later years. This, however, is coming from an international perspective, so the landscape may be much different in America. Moreover, if you are 100% sure on going to grad school, I advise you to stay at Trinity with your excellent record and go to an Ivy grad school.</p>
<p>I have been astounded at the success of my Dartmouth peers since graduation. A large majority seem to be at top grad schools, have great jobs, or are successful in whatever path they choose. I would say I am actually surprised that even the kids not even in the top 50% of the class at Dartmouth seem to doing very well. </p>
<p>The truth, however, is that you are a standout at Trinity so you will likely get to pursue whatever you want after graduation. I believe, however, that you will do very well academically at an Ivy. Many transfers do one or more study abroad programs (I went went on two- Dartmouth's quarter system allows this), and the social assimilation is not that daunting at all. I would say a majority of my classmates don't even remember that I wasn't there their first year. The biggest asset though - an I can't emphasize this enough - is your classmates. They are a network like no other - people that will become leaders in every field that you happened to know back when they pulled pranks. Academically it will be more challenging, but the professors and students make that extra effort worth it.</p>
<p>I absolutely recommend applying. I think you will love your experience. I wouldn't trade my undergrad experience at an Ivy. It has made an impact in my life well beyond simply getting me into a good grad school.</p>
<p>Slipper,
Transferring in as a junior, wouldn't it be impossible to study abroad since you must spend your entire senior year on campus and junior year would be spent getting to know Dartmouth?</p>
<p>Whoops, I thought he was a sophomore next year. I agree with you then Timberland, perhaps a year in Oxford and staying at Trinity might be worth it. Although I do know some very successful junior transfers.</p>
<p>I think Dartmouth would be probably the best transfer choice for him simply because it is possible to do more since D is on the quarter system. He could start sophomore summer (with his class - huge opportunity to meet your class quickly and unique to D), be on campus in the fall, abroad in either the winter or spring, off in summer. He then would be on campus senior year. I think it might be one of the only schools where study abroad would be possible, although only for a term (3 months).</p>
<p>update... i think i'm just going to apply to brown. it's a fairly simple app, i think i stand a good shot of getting in, and a few of my friends from other schools are also applying there. </p>
<p>thanks for all your advice. i feel just as confused, but at the same time, more centered. </p>
<p>if anyone still thinks i'm making a mistake, please speak up. i've got months to decide.</p>
<p>Applying for transfer is never a mistake........you would then have some time to ponder your ultimate decision. Remind me if you have already have a commitment for UK next year, your junior year? I know several students who have planned and arranged study abroad and then for various reasons cancelled. I'd say that you could buy yourself some time......which may help. Good Luck and keep us updated.</p>
<p>I would recommend adding Dartmouth just because its probably the most transfer friendly school by a long shot. I think brown is an amazing choice for sophomores, but junior transferring might be rougher. I think you'll get into both...but its clearly up to you.</p>
<p>
[quote]
**i'm on the fence about grad school, and that's part of my "on the fence" feelings about transferring in general.</p>
<p>i'm probably going to get a masters after college and then apply to law school. a year abroad at oxford is appealing b/c i think it enhances my chances for a masters there.
[/quote]
**</p>
<p>Is a major focus of your transfer linked in your mind to your ultimate decision about graduate school???</p>
<p>hazmat - not particularly. i think grad school would be an easier thing if i do really well here at trinity. it's more... the people. and simply the ability to be at an ivy as an undergrad. </p>
<p>you always hear that college is the best 4 years of your life... mine's not. i don't feel as though the student body adds anything to my education except through alcohol ingestion. </p>
<p>slipper- i'd much rather apply to dartmouth, but i feel as though my chances there are slim. they accept a very small percentage of applicants every year. i have solid stats, but i'm going up against people w/ my stats and that are coming from better schools. and who have worked on their transfer apps for months... so brown just seems more feasible.</p>
<p>Don't be so sure. I didn't think I had a chance at all when I applied and I got in. I know many transfers (the accept rate my year was 12%) and you seem pretty similar to friends of mine who got in. BTW- I only worked on my transfer apps for a weekend. Its not that hard at all, if you do one you've pretty much done another. You can use the same essay, same recs, the only difference is the "why Dartmouth" short question which is an easy one . I think the 65 bucks is well worth it. Seriously, a 4.0 at Trinity is nothing to scoff at, and I think you might enjoy Dartmouth more than Brown as a junior (sophomore summer + study abroad). I think if you apply to both you will get ot choose between both, and that is a nice option to have.</p>