Applying as a transfer

Transfer Students
1

Applying to Harvard, Yale, Duke, UNC, UVA

Applying as a sophomore transfer, one semester in college, from a top
private university.

My home state is Massachusetts.

HS GPA: 94 with very strong upward trend
HS APs:
Chem - 4
Macro+Micro - 4/5
Bio - 5
Physics C Mech - 3
Calc BC - 3, AB Subscore 5
APUSH - 5
AP US Gov - 5
English Lit- 5
AP Euro - did not take exam

SAT: 1560, 3 770+s on SAT IIs

College GPA: 3.8

Classes:
Chemical Equilibrium: A, 4 credits
Fiction/Poetry Writing: A-, 3 credits
Psych: A-, 3 credits
Stat I: Pass (had to take pass/fail), 4 credits

ECs: Some Bio Lab research and a decent amount of volunteering, not too much leadership as I mainly listed college activities

I know my test scores are good but I’m concerned that my HS GPA is on the low side (people who go to UNC from my HS have 96+ GPAs) and I had too Pass/fail a class first semester which I think might offset the good college gpa. Do they consider deflation in GPA? My current university is notorious for grade deflating.

I’m aware I don’t really have a shot at Harvard and Yale, but my essays were very well written and articulated why those universities could offer me something my current school is missing. Really just wondering if I have a very good chance at UNC/UVA and a passable one at Duke given my low HS GPA and the fact I pass failed a class first semester. I heard they don’t look at state residency for UNC transfers, is this true?

2

Why are you trying to transfer so soon after going to university?

3

Don’t really want to go too much into it but basically I absolutely despise it here. I’ve visited some of the other schools I got in to and I’m sure I would be happier there.

4

From your old posts, looks like you are in JHU. UNC/UVA are certainly ranked below JHU, so you’d stand pretty good chance there. Try Brown if happiness is your priority.

5

Is financial aid a consideration ?

Your list of schools looks good. UVA & UNC are reasonable target schools as is Duke since you are a legacy. Why not apply to Stanford ?

P.S. This is the first year that Princeton is accepting transfer students.