I am an Asian studying abroad in a prestigious institution in Spain, Europe. However, I am dissatisfied with the overall educational and social aspect of the university, including teaching quality, class size, my peers’ lack of influence on me (you know what I mean) and extracurriculars. Apart from business-related clubs, they only have classic choices like arts, sports and fashion club. I am a professional artist but the art club here doesn’t even see my art as a serious-enough art form…
So I have been thinking about transferring and Brown is my first choice so far ╰(´︶`)╯♡ I just love the school and what it offers, I didn’t even know it was an Ivy hahaha…
Since how European universities operate is quite different from US universities, I would like to know if someone here is a transfer student from Europe?
Firstly, what is your freshman year GPA and class rank? My professors so far hold my abilities in high regards although the course just started for 3 months, but my luck with GPA is not so good. It is not low but compared to what I see on fellow applicants from the US, I’m quite worried…
Writing essays is my forte and I have set my eyes on the professors who might be able to write a ‘glowing’ recommendation.
Ah, I am also in need of financial aid. That is among the factors opposing my chance.
If any of you know anyone that has transferred from Europe, you may talk about the person!
Actually… I have searched my choices thoroughly in high school but only a few appeared attractive to me. In my freshman year, my classmates told me about the experiences their friends had in the other schools I considered and I supposed the US is where I should be going.
Ah the U.K. Is great but the financial aid is quite scarce ;; v ;;
Anyhow, thanks for your reply! I really appreciate your answer.
I work with young Europeans; unfortunately, odds of receiving significant financial aid as an international transfer are close to zero.
Does universities offer something but never full need and always for low need students.
What’s your budget?
Oooohhhhhhhh. Well, I did expect that ^^
Hmm… I think the US would consider me a high-need student haha my family annual income falls at approximately 20.000$
Yes, my university offers me 90% off the tuition and 50% off accommodation costs. Apparently they don’t have full-ride scholarships.
I can see that my chances are very low (perhaps non-existent?) especially when I don’t look like a future Bill Gates. Hmm… but I don’t want to give up hope though. I really do like Brown.
Thanks for your recommendation!
However, some universities are really strong with its undergraduate body, such as Brown and Amherst (but Amherst doesn’t offer any financial aid for international transfer so XD).
I am considering alternatives to Brown. However, I still love it though… it has almost everything I love in a college and it has an anime club :))))
I have travelled more than 6000 miles from my home city for a satisfactory education, I don’t mind traveling for another 5000 miles for Brown ; v ;
Aaaaaaaaaa it is very difficult ; v ; if the CSS profile was free then I have no problems with the odd XD
But the feeling of spending money for an absolutely risky ‘investment’ that probably results in a 99% failure is very unsettling…
Anyhow, I thank you for your answers. You were very helpful.
Your current university in Spain might have exchange programs in place with Brown or similar US universities. This could be a great way to get up to a year of overseas experience at an US university. If the US is not possible, you could look into ERASMUS exchange programs with other EU universities. As @Lindagaf mentioned, consider sticking it out in Spain and then apply to an US graduate school.
@nypapa@MYOS1634 thanks for your input!
Yes, my school actually does offer exchange opportunities to many amazing schools, but I would rather not stay here for another 2 years for the exchange opportunity. As I have explained, I’m not suitable for my current university. I have set my mind on transferring ^^
Aaaaaaa my SAT score is not impressive, at 1440 (690 reading 750 maths) BUT it is quite impressive for only 1 month of preparation I think XD I didn’t know an EU institution would require a SAT score, and the deadline didn’t sit well with a later SAT test, so I took the nearest date XD I will make sure to say this in my application ; v ;
I’m looking at other schools as well. I realized I might be a suitable fit for liberal arts colleges. Hmm… so much research to do XD
Keep in mind that US universities put allot of energy into marketing to prospective students. Those things look almost always more attractive from far away. As a parent of a US high school senior we get almost daily mailings that advertise paying up to 80k per year for the kid to spend the next four years at what from the advertising material looks like a fun filled resort like experience full of club activities and explorations.
Take advantage of what’s already available. EU universities don’t offer much activities outside of classes but expect students to create and find their own opportunities outside in the real world. You don’t need to travel to Disney Epcot center to visit Europe, you are already there. Good luck.
@theDOVE :
Your odds as an international student needing financial aid were probably under 5% as a freshman. As a transfer, they’re probably under 1%, unless you’re internationally famous for something. That’s that standard. I understand you want to transfer but those are your odds - yes, even with a high GPA, good SAT score, strong EC’s, those are your odds, simply because there aren’t many spots and even less money for transfers.
If your budget is 25-30K a year, some universities with generous financial aid MAY consider you even as a transfer (transfers get what’s left financially after scholarships have been given to freshmen) - probably LACs ranked 50-75, private universities in this type of ranking.
DO NOT say “I took the SAT without preparation”, as it’d make you sound foolish as well as “looking for an excuse”.
In addition, 1440 is not bad.
I do agree that usually transfer students are meant to fill in the spots left by either freshmans or drop-outs.
No, sadly I’m not internationally known haha if I were that famous, I would be able to make money without going to university XD
I am not specifically looking at the rankings though, I’m looking for schools that may actually give me a compatible education (I learnt the hard lesson here in Spain XD)
Ah no no, that one month was actually one of the most useful months of my life, I learnt the importance of time management which is definitely one of the most useful skills I have now.
Oh thank you! However, I am aware that my SAT is not giving me a very competitive edge if my chosen college is highly ranked.
Thank you so much @nypapa for your articulating insight!
I do agree that here in Spain, there are a lot of opportunities outside the classroom (not from the school though) that are particularly useful. However, I come here for the education, which I deem quite unfitting for me. That is the reason for my transfer.
I understand there are flaws in every institution, but I am unwilling to tolerate some undesirable characteristics of my university, which I wasn’t aware until I experienced it myself.
It really is unfortunate, but it seems transferring is my current best choice.