Chance me? (University Transfer Applicant) (College of Arts and Sciences)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Emory University
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<p>Current University: Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences
Transferring in as a sophomore
GPA: 4.0 (just from first semester)
US/Intl: US
Anti-Hooks: Asian
First semester transcript (18 credits): Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis, Intro to Linear Algebra, First Year Russian 101, Intro to Creative Writing, Intro to Computer Science
Second semester transcript (15 credits): Data structures, Intro to Film, Digital Storytelling, First Year Russian 102</p>

<p>SAT: 2340, one sitting (800 Math, 760 Reading, 780 Writing)
SAT II: 800 Biology, 790 Math II, 780 Chemistry
High School Final GPA: 3.8 UW, 4.25 W (unknown rank, school doesn't allow students to know)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
(College)
-Rescue Squad EMT-certified volunteer since April, 2012
-Started a club at Rutgers (Billiards Club) just because it didn't exist and I love pool
-Worked at a tutor center (Mathnasium), tutoring kids for 3 months grades 1-11
-(TENTATIVE) I've been working on a 120+ page screenplay and hope to finish it by the time I'm applying to college and submit it as an arts supplement</p>

<p>(High School)
-Reading/Math Buddy Volunteer at local library for a few months
-Volunteered at a hospital's emergency room for half a year
-Part of my school's Key club chapter
-Was a waiter/busboy for 2 months
-Was a cosmetics packer for a good 5 months (some under-the-table job)
-FBLA and MSA member
(Personal)
-Don't know if this counts for anything, but I've played cello and piano since about the 4th grade... haven't really won anything significant though
-Languages: Chinese, English, Conversational Spanish (took the AP exam, but collegeboard lost my exam, so... nothing for that but a refund and lost time), and I guess now basic Russian</p>

<p>Awards/Honors:
(College)
-Rutgers University Presidential Scholarship (Full ride, ~$25,000/year)
-Dean's list</p>

<p>(High School)
-National AP Scholar (5's on Calc BC, US History, Psychology, Biology, Macro, Micro, English Language, English Literature, Physics C Mechanics)
-NJ Science League (1st Biology II Team in state, 3rd Chemistry I Team in state)
-Junior Engineering Technical Society 2nd team in country out of 291 teams (10/11 Division)
-Merck State Science Day 4th Team in NJ, 34th/380 individually (2012)
-High school's honor roll all 4 years
-Math and Science Honors Society
-Attended a TEDxYouth Conference back in 2011 (won an essay contest)
(I was a science-heavy kid in high school. But I ultimately didn't know what I wanted to do so... first time college applications came around...)</p>

<p>Attempting to double major in film studies and computer science</p>

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<p>Why?</p>

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<p>why what</p>

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<p>Why do you want us to chance us (when you know the answer is yes) and why are you transferring, and in my case, why to Emory, or are just trying for a random assortment of “top” schools, and will choose the highest you get into?</p>

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<p>…what? What is “yes” the answer to? Also “Why do you want us to chance -you-”
Transferring because Rutgers has no film stuff
Emory has a good film studies program and environment
It wasn’t random at all, it was based off of good film studies programs and computer science programs. And of course I’ll choose the “highest” (vague, but based off of my own factors and preferences) I get into? Isn’t that just rational choice? </p>

<p>What are you trying to say/do? </p>

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<p>You know your credentials are strong so I imagine that aluminum is kind of like: “Why bother, you know the result?” </p>

<p>As for choosing the “highest”. Often some transfer applicants are naive and are literally just trying to transfer to the highest ranked school on USNews that they can get into, and not one that is solid and does well or has an environment known to foster good work in their area (s) of interest (they are choosing the highest ranked, not the “best”. For example, if you were one of these people, you may be applying to like 10-15 of the top 20 and then get into say, Vanderbilt and Emory and then choose Vanderbilt because it has a higher rank, completely disregarding the fact that Emory probably has the best history and environment for things regarding film. And both are not special or hardly even good at CS). I was just probing to see if there was any ranking based naivete. Ideally, a person with your interests would regard USC as better even though it has a slightly lower rank, and you would certainly like Northwestern (which is ranked higher). Both places where your chances should also be very solid. </p>

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<p>Yea, that’s what I meant. It didn’t go through.
Why transfer when you have a full ride and are doing well at a good school? </p>

<p>But I guess you answered that. If you want to apply, I think you have a good shot. Whether or not tuition is worth a film studies major really depends on family income. </p>

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<p>This is Emory, many students have gone on to start their own film companies and stuff sort of randomly. CMF did not start at Emory out of luck. There has been a strange legacy of success in the area ever since regardless of us not having a large, renowned film school. Seems as if the BBA and film (I think film or media studies is indeed a major) double majors are often decently successful. And even without the BBA, you can connect with b-school resources (students, w/e) or even use CMF and that connection as a platform to launch something.</p>

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<p>Oh, I get it.
Yea, I definitely don’t want to be one of THOSE transfer applicants. Vanderbilt is definitely lower priority on my list of schools (it is one I’m applying to), simply because the credits and AP credits transfer and major coursework requirements are all feasible, and that the very fact it HAS a film studies program is a step up from where I am at Rutgers right now. I really wanted to apply to USC, but its deadline on Feb. 1st was just too early for me to be ready, as well as all the other California schools. I am also applying to Northwestern for these same exact reasons. And I understand that their CS departments are not as good as some other schools… but I feel that in my situation where I have to transfer if I even want to have a shot at the film industry, I can’t really pick and choose too much. </p>

<p>@aluminum_boat:
A full ride is great, but not when it feels like I’m not going anywhere. The simplest answer to your question is just that there is a field I’m passionate about, and I can’t adequately pursue that passion here, even if I don’t graduate with debt.
Eh, the tuition and debt for more expensive private schools… well, I mean, I’ll probably graduate with debt, but a job in the CS field should keep me afloat just fine. </p>

<p>@Both, thank you for your opinions. I was just testing the waters because I really don’t know that much about the transfer applicant pool as opposed to last year. </p>

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<p>That’s a good reason. You come here. </p>

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<p>“Anti-hooks: Asian” LOL.</p>

<p>Listen to my friend aluminum_boat, and best wishes.</p>