Hi, guys! I’m looking to transfer out of U Michigan next year, and I have a couple of schools in mind. Do you think you could chance me based on my past and self-projected data for the following schools? I really don’t know how this whole transferring process works in comparison to applying as a senior in high school.
Schools:
Emory
Wesleyan
Rice
Brown
USC
Georgetown
Tufts
Reed
Northwestern
Vanderbilt
Tough ones, I know.
Data:
HS GPA: 4.12 W
College GPA: 3.85-3.93
ACT: 30 (English 34, Reading 33, Math 30, Science 24), should I retake it? Do schools accept it after high school? Will it look bad if I took it again in college? Is there less emphasis placed on it after your first year of college?
Solid high school EC’s: 2 years of community service, head of two finance clubs, scored and assistant directed an independent film w/ budget of $10,000, sports, 8 years of guitar and piano
College EC’s: I have some ideas in mind for EC’s at college that I’m still working on. They will be good, though.
I have the capacity to write fantastic essays.
I know I didn’t provide much,but if you guys could just lead me in the right direction, that would be great.
Here is what you should know-- the seats at Ivy-plus schools that are available for transfers is largely tied to attrition. Since attrition is almost non-existent in the top Ivy schools, so are the seats available. By way of example, recently, Harvard had over 1500 applicants and admitted about 15, and Yale had over a 1000 applicants in which about 2 dozen were offered seats. Brown is close to 5%. Princeton takes no transfers. So, while being qualified is certainly a criteria, the other portion must convey why these schools; typical reasons are that these schools offer programs and/or degrees not offered at your existing institution. Transferring because of the desire to attend a more elite institution is NOT consider a valid reason for transfer.
Second, that you could have obtained admission as a freshmen applicant. Third, that you have perfect scores at your current institution. Long story short…it is much more difficult to obtain admission as a transfer than as applying for a freshmen seat…
As to retaking the SAT, you can retake it, but many of the competitive schools will not accept a SAT, if you already have taken it previously in HS (its meant to evaluate your levels while in HS).
But as to the list—here are my thumbs up: Reed, Tufts, Wesleyan, Emory, and on the fence, USC.
Are you instate for Michigan? Any scholarships? If you are instate, your COA at the schools on your list will be 2 to 2.5 times more than Umich. Can your parents afford the higher cost? What is your major and are you in your 2nd year at Michigan?
Not in state. I’m a first year. Cost is not a problem. No major yet