<p>Since I have spent a bit of time with the transfer process this year, I have become aware of the guaranteed transfer arrangements between some community college systems and some top tier schools (eg, the UCs, Cornell...).</p>
<p>I have also observed (on the Transfer Forum here at cc) the interplay among many transfer hopefuls; some are cc students, some are students whose current school doesn't meet their needs; some are students who failed to gain acceptance to their "dream" school or an Ivy the first time around and want another go at it.</p>
<p>By and large, the cc students are quite impressive. Some are late bloomers, some went the cc route for cost savings reasons, some as a planned route to a top school. </p>
<p>While it may be a lot easier to get a 4.0 at a cc than at a top tier university, I think that the university students who feel "cheated" because a cc student's first two years of college courses are not as "valuable" as their own should get over themselves. These cc students have learned the material, worked hard for what they've achieved and often had obstacles which many top tier U students cannot imagine. Sure, some of them have sought out "easy A's." Check out ratemyprofessor.com and you will find top tier students trying the same thing.</p>
<p>I have great respect for these cc kids. Were I a "receiving" transfer U, I would look with more favor (all other things being equal) upon an application from a motivated cc student than that of a student at Rice/Cornell and the equivalent who is seeking a HYPS transfer just for the prestige factor.</p>
<p>well, i am a cornell student, and just got into Rice and U of Chicago (got into both last year), and only applied to Columbia, UPenn, and Brown as the big 3, no H, Y, or stanford</p>