My GPA is pretty low but I had a 4.0 GPA in high school. I’m currently majoring in astrophysics and I’ll apply in two years for transfer. What can make up for my 3.85 GPA? I heard that most transfers to these colleges have 4.0 college GPAs.
For Princeton, the biggest boosts to your application would be URM status, military experience, low-income, first-gen, and most importantly from community college. That’s just how their transfer process works – they take in about ~12 out of ~1600 applicants and I don’t think anyone came from a 4-year university. It’s a very different process compared to their regular freshmen admissions.
For Harvard, your chances are higher if you apply for sophomore transfer, though there’s typically 1-2 rising juniors out of the dozen or so they admit every year. Harvard transfer is different to Princeton – you need to fill a diversity niche and still be a superstar in both academics and softs. Also helps a lot if you have key connections with faculty/important officials etc.
For Caltech, you’ll need to crush their entrance exams and present a strong history and continued interest in research, while still presenting stellar academic performance and typically in upper-level courses.
All three schools have extremely different transfer admissions criteria and are uber selective – without providing more info I honestly can’t say how’d you fare in the process.
A few days ago you said your current GPA is 2.5. I’m sure focusing your energy on the possibility of an elite school in some distant future makes it easier to avoid dealing with your current issues, but it’s not helping. You’re skipping class, not doing homework, stressing over competitions you didn’t win in high school, and are feeling unmotivated. Please go talk to your advisor and tell them what you’ve told us. They’ll know how to help you.
Your GPA is nowhere near 3.85. Please go to your college counseling center.
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