Chance me for Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Emory and more! [Cue the transfer angst :D]

<p>I'm trying to keep this post short, concise, and coherent for you guys. If any of you have any questions, feel free to ask.</p>

<p>A.Transfer Notes:
- Applying for Fall 2011
- Applying for Financial Aid/FAFSA EFC is 0
- Transferring from a relatively small, unknown LAC. USNEWS says it's a "tier one" institution.
- I am in the Honors program at my LAC.</p>

<p>B.Transfer School List: --- [Feel free to recommend more]
- Vanderbilt
- Wake Forest
- Emory
- Rochester
- American
- George Washington
- Fordham
- Grinnell
- Brandeis
- UT
- Davidson
- Tufts
- George Washington University
- Bard
- Hamilton</p>

<p>C.High School Academics, Notable Feats, and Important Notes:</p>

<ul>
<li>Final High School GPA: 3.7</li>
<li>College credits by the time of graduation: 36 hours/4.0 GPA (took 17 hours in the Fall, 19 in the Spring)</li>
<li>Accepted into Phi Theta Kappa while in high school</li>
<li>Deans list at the community college the entire time I was there</li>
<li>I've got some extensive ECs, volunteer work, and clear examples of positive character. I'll post here if requested.</li>
<li>SAT: ~1900. I am DEFINITELY retaking it.</li>
</ul>

<p>I went to two high schools. I was dismissed during my Sophomore year from the first one. I won't explain why here, but if I feel that it is important to this thread, I will consider posting it. I transferred to a private high school that did not offer any Honors/AP courses. I helped create a dual-credit program at the school that allowed me to go to a community college four days of the week. I was able to complete 36 credits of an Associates in the Arts my senior year of high school. ALL classes were on-campus and alongside real college students.</p>

<p>D.College Academics and Important Notes:
- Cumulative GPA: 4.0 GPA with 81 credits.
- Took 18 hours in the Fall.
- Enrolled in 18 hours for the Spring of 2010 of the most rigorous liberal arts classes I can possibly take.</p>

<p>I took 27 credit hours in the Summer before this Fall. I achieved a 4.0 in the summer and completed my Associates in the Arts with highest honors. I was admitted into my LAC as a Freshmen applicant but have now achieved Junior status.</p>

<p>Lay it on me, guys. Do I have a chance?</p>

<p>Oh, and I’m double-majoring in Political Science and International Relations with an emphasis on the Middle East. I’m minoring in Arabic with a Pre-law track.</p>

<p>I’m planning on going into either Intelligence or Foreign Law.</p>

<p>You seem like a competitive applicant for most of these schools. I feel like Emory is the strongest school on your list, but Vanderbilt is also good.</p>

<p>@al6200</p>

<p>I kindly thank you, that definitely makes my day! What schools do you think I should take off the list, or minimize the priority of? Please let me know.</p>

<p>Thank you again!</p>

<p>Any other input, anyone?</p>

<p>You have a good shot at all of those schools. I would suggest taking some of the rural schools off of the list (such as Grinnell and Hamilton). You’d have more IR/Polisci internship opportunities at GWU, Fordham, etc. which would help you build a stronger law school application. Good luck!</p>

<p>why not add georgetown?</p>

<p>Why not apply to Johns Hopkins? Their IR is really strong. I second the Georgetown recommendation.</p>

<p>al6200</p>

<p>John Hopkins has a 9% transfer rate. I would like to go there, but I don’t think I could afford the additional application fee for a school that I have less than a 15% chance of getting in.</p>

<p>Pinkstuffz</p>

<p>Thanks for the reply. Georgetown has the same issue as John Hopkins. If you guys seriously think I have a good chance of getting in, I’ll definitely apply. Up until now, I always figured each of the schools on this list were mega reach schools for me.</p>

<p>Victoria16</p>

<p>Thanks, Victoria. That is a good suggestion and I’ll definitely revise my list. I have been quite hesitant about GWU and Fordham as I know both are quite expensive and I worry I won’t be able to afford the — especially GWU as it is considered one of the most expensive schools in the country.</p>

<p>Oh okay. But i thought Georgetown was at around 20% and the aid is good? I am also applying there. I think you have a shot but i am not an expert.</p>

<p>Georgetown’s transfer rate is approximately 14% based on the Collegeboard transfer rates posted below. Ah yes, I have also read that the aid is good.</p>

<p>Transfer admission stats for fall term:
Applied: 2,028
Admitted: 284
Enrolled: 174</p>

<p>Source (scroll to the bottom): [College</a> Search - Georgetown University - Admission](<a href=“College Search - BigFuture | College Board”>College Search - BigFuture | College Board)</p>

<p>bump:Dchar</p>

<p>So I put together a final transfer list. Any input, anyone? Am I just being unrealistic here?</p>

<pre><code>1. Vanderbilt
2. Wake Forest
3. Emory
4. UT-Austin
5. Fordham
6. American University
7. Georgetown
8. George Washington
9. Rochester
10. Tufts
11. Notre Dame
12. Davidson
13. Grinnell
14. Brandeis
15. Northwestern
</code></pre>

<p>Griffyndor I am going to be completely honest (Based on my opinion)</p>

<ol>
<li>Vanderbilt = Low reach</li>
<li>Wake forest = High match</li>
<li>Emory = reach</li>
<li>Texas Austin = High match</li>
<li>Fordham = High match</li>
<li>American University = Match</li>
<li>Georgetown = Reach</li>
<li>George Washington = Low match</li>
<li>Rochester = Low match</li>
<li>Tufts = Low reach</li>
<li>Davidson = reach</li>
<li>Brandeis = low reach</li>
<li>Notre dame= low reach</li>
<li>Northwestern = reach</li>
</ol>

<p>Your grades are really excellent (4.0), your SAT scores are pretty good as well but most of these schools will also look at other things (ec, essay, etc). </p>

<p>Are you like rich? LOL, Applying all over the country to really expensive colleges. I am 100% sure you will get into one of those top colleges.</p>

<p>Go to US news and you can look at college rankings, costs, etc.</p>

<p>I’ve been wanting to transfer for over a year and thus have saved up some money to afford the transfer process. My FAFSA EFC is 0 so I hope to get good aid. I might even have to take out a loan but meh.</p>

<p>Thank you for your opinion. I have taken Northwestern off my list since I do not believe I have that much of a chance to get in. I guess it’s time to start on the essays :D.</p>

<ol>
<li>Vanderbilt = definitely apply, I like your chances</li>
<li>Wake forest = in</li>
<li>Emory = tough but worth a shot</li>
<li>Texas Austin = in</li>
<li>Fordham = in</li>
<li>American University = in</li>
<li>Georgetown = tough but some good essays may get you in</li>
<li>George Washington = good chances</li>
<li>Rochester = in</li>
<li>Tufts = tough</li>
<li>Davidson = not sure</li>
<li>Brandeis = not sure</li>
<li>Notre dame= apply, decent chances</li>
<li>Northwestern = good essays can get you in</li>
</ol>

<p>I think you are applying to way too many schools. The most successful people I’ve seen in the transfer process (2 friends and myself included) ended up at their number 1 schools because they focused significant energy on a very small number of schools. Because the applicant pools are so much smaller transfer students are able to build stronger more personal relationships with admissions officers which is a big part of the process. I would seriously recommend cutting your list in half if you want the best shot at your top schools.</p>

<p>Will do. I’m trying to setup my match/reach schools first and then go from there. Do you recommend any match/reach schools for me from the list I’ve posted?</p>

<p>Chicagobears1,</p>

<p>Much thanks for your input. I think I’m going to cut out the LAC’s besides Grinnell. How do you feel about Grinnell?</p>

<p>Again, thank you and nyc2013 both.</p>