Chance a PSU transfer student please?

<p>Male Freshman at Penn State University (Main Campus)
College GPA: Approx 3.6
Dean's List
Major: Political Science & Economics
Current Courses: Political Theory, Macro-Economics, Philosophy, English Rhetoric and Composition, Public Speaking
Next Semester Courses: American Government, Quantitative Political Analysis, Statistics, Micro-Economics, American History
Current Clubs: Habitat for Humanity, Libertarian Association, Debate Society</p>

<p>High School:
GPA: 3.7
Submitting only SATI: 2080
No APs or IBs
Extraordinary High School Resume: Highlights: Student Body Vice President, Congressional Page, Intern @ councilwoman's office, President & Founder of Debate Club, President of MUN, Founder of School Store, Varsity Volleyball....much more.</p>

<p>Excellent Recommendation from PSU English professor with Ph.D</p>

<p>Schools applying to:
NYU
Georgetown
Cornell
Boston College
University of Michigan</p>

<p>I know that some of these are reaches, but any opinion would be greatly appreciated. Also, please leave some advice on applying as a transfer and what other schools I should look into.</p>

<p>PS. I'm not applying for a transfer because of the PSU football incident.
Thank you so much!</p>

<p>Bumppppppppppp</p>

<p>I was really similar you last year except I go to Pitt. I had similar stats to you in high school, 3.64 (UW) GPA, 33 ACT, except I had 6 APs and over 20 college credits to start out with. I also had a 3.60 after my first semester of college. I also applied as a econ and poli sci major. And I applied to Michigan. Only problem for you is I was denied within a month. The Michigan admissions office told me that the problem for me was that generally they give preference to junior transfers and want to see more than one semester of college grades. If you wouldn’t have gotten in as a freshman or weren’t a strong borderline candidate, you probably won’t get in for sophomore transfer. They told me that I would stand a much better chance if I applied for the next semester, for the Winter term. Good news for you here is after getting a 3.8+ the next semester and changing my major to econ and stats, I applied for Winter 2012, with a 3.7+ GPA, and was admitted. I am finishing up my last week and a half up here, barely a Panther anymore. I’m mostly out the door and almost completely a Michigan Wolverine.</p>

<p>In your case, I think you will struggle to get into all of those schools as a sophomore transfer. As a freshman applicant, you would not have gotten into any of them. That 3.7 is a pretty weak 3.7 in that you likely did not take the most difficult courses your school offered so I doubt colleges will be impressed at all. Additionally, your SAT is not particularly strong either. It fits but that’s it. Your college GPA at this point is not that strong either. A 3.6 at a non-elite college is not that great, you will likely need to get at least a 3.7 if not a 3.8, and a 3.9+ for Cornell. </p>

<p>Generally, as a transfer applicant, a school only really has two major criteria when considering an applicant. GPA and credits. Essays, recs, ECs take secondary importance to your GPA. It’s a much more straightforward process. The reason for this is because colleges want to see you graduate on time and those other stuff really won’t help with graduation so much. Specifically for Michigan, if you get to 55 credits, your high school record will be completely disregarded and it will only be your college stuff that will be evaluated. The closer you get to those 55 credits, the less high school counts. Additionally, for courses, Michigan wants to see you have math, science, english, social sciences and a foreign language, in short, the core subjects in high school. As long as your classes stay there, you’re in good shape. Having a foreign language is very important to Michigan. </p>

<p>At this point, I think you are reaching for all your schools. Schools rarely accept sophomore transfers unless they were borderline or would have gotten in as freshmen. Your best chance is after 3 semesters. I’m not quite sure what else to add right now but if you have any more questions, feel free to PM me, ask here, whatever. Best of luck and I hope you choose Michigan. GO BLUE!</p>

<p>thank you for your input!</p>

<p>bump! !!!</p>