I am attending a top 50 University in New England but I want to transfer for next semester. My current school isn’t academically challenging (at all) and I want a school that is academically rigorous. I am applying to 4-5 Ivys (Princeton, UPenn, Cornell, Yale, Brown and maybe Harvard) but how likely am I to actually get an acceptance letter? It’s a lot of money to apply if my chances are 0%.
Freshman Year at College
-4.0GPA
-Political Science Major
-1 political internship with a local politician
-1 medical internship with a rehab/hospital
-President of my dorm
-Paid position as a college tutor for English
-Steller Recommendation Letters from teachers who loved me
High School
-3.8GPA
-33 ACT
-Senior year I lived abroad in Asia
-Varsity Crew for 4 years
-Camp counselor for 2 Years and Camp Assistant Director for 1 Year
-Took 8 APs but my average was 3.5/5
-Co-founded environmental club
Why do you want to transfer?
As I said above, my current school isn’t academically rigorous. I’m looking for something that challenges me in the classroom. My high school was harder. Most students don’t do the homework and have a poor attendance and still get an A.
I wouldn’t say your chances are zero, but obviously, as with most Ivy transfers, they’re not exactly high. Cornell is probably your best shot. The other two are pretty unlikely.
To increase your (very low) odds of a transfer to one of these schools, you have to have a very solid, researched academic reason. Certainly don’t imply that the level at your “top 50” university isn’t up to your standards. Instead, describe how each specific targeted school has programs/professors that are perfect for your specific academic interest/passion. Read up on the majors, on who teaches what, on available opportunities, etc. Make it about academics and not about kids at your current school getting As without showing up to class.
You’ve only taken a semester of classes. You can’t measure course rigor based on one semester.