Am I being reasonable with my choices?

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hey there, everyone!</p>

<p>I am a student at a small Minnesota LAC, and would like to transfer out, due to my lack of satisfaction with the student body and the fact that the school does not offer one of my greatest interests as a major. I'm posting this because I'd like to get some input on whether the choices I'm considering making are realistic ones, and what some better alternatives may be if I’m being unwise, here.</p>

<p>My high school record is pretty mediocre; I didn’t really have any motivation until my senior year. I ended up with a 3.4 UW GPA, a reasonable number of ECs, and a 31 on my ACT. I took 4 AP classes, and had 8 semesters of other college equivalent classes.</p>

<p>At college, I was able to do much better, earning a 3.7 GPA during my freshman year, with only one EC (German Club). I was also able to form relationships with professors that I feel will strengthen my application with good references.</p>

<p>These are my current three choices for transfer applications:
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities (CLA)
Grinnell College
Macalester College, my top choice!</p>

<p>I was wondering if anyone could chance me for these schools, and tell me whether this is a wise plan of action for someone who is itching to transfer. I really like Grinnell and Macalester, both of which I have visited before. The University of Minnesota’s CLA is more or less my safety, here, though I still see it as a very good school. My main concern is whether or not the latter two are to be considered “reach” schools for me, and how far away I am from a reasonably confident application with them. If my plan does seem a little unrealistic, I would appreciate suggestions on other good LACs for which I may be a good match (I have also been eyeing Occidental and Lewis & Clark, but I would prefer to stay in the midwest). Also, I’d be interested in hearing what I should expect in terms of financial aid for these schools.</p>

<p>Thanks so much in advance!</p>

2

<p>Bump. Can anyone help me out, here? It would be greatly appreciated!</p>

3

<p>Why is Mac your top choice?</p>

4

<p>The short answer on that is simply that I really like what Macalester has to offer in terms of the campus, the student body, the reputation for liberalism, and (perhaps most importantly) great academics. It seems like a place that I will really enjoy, if admitted. It is also a bigger name than some of the other LACs I have been considering. I know I’m being a little vague in my response, so I can expand on it, a little (If you’d like). This said, I really consider getting into Mac as my chief goal in this venture. How am I looking?</p>