<p>Hey guys. I've never done one of these before really so I just wanted realistic and constructive criticism about what I can do to better my chances at some schools I'm applying for Fall 08.</p>
<p>Schools looking at are: Northwestern, U of C, Pomona, Cal, Tufts, NYU, Columbia, Penn, Brown, Gtown, USC, Stanford</p>
<p>I will retake my SATs over before then.</p>
<p>Hs gpa: 3.05 UW (had APS, honors, college courses)
Sat 1:1980
Sat II: 2c-700 Us History-580
Ecs: Volunteered at hospital contributing approximately 600 hours
I was also part of youth leadership team at the hospital.
Wrote for school newspaper and was assistant sports editor
Peer counseling officer and member for two years
Make a Wish officer and was part of the club three years.
Did track for a while as well.
Class of 06 member for three years.
Awards: President's Volunteer Service Award: Gold Level
Some various scholarships here and there.</p>
<p>College Gpa @ Syracuse: 3.72</p>
<p>Ecs Currently: writing for the newspaper and volunteer at Hospital
Summer: Working at ACLU
Ongoing: Current Research Independently
Awards: Dean List for Fall 06, Dean List Spring 07</p>
<p>Any advice or input is greatly appreciated. Please help me out.</p>
<p>I'm a junior transfer who is Asian American. Major is Political Philosophy\History so I would probably be independent study\individualized major.</p>
<p>Having a son who just went through the transfer process this year, I am sorry to say that it is VERY tough out there to transfer into a college that 1] doesn't make room for transfers i.e. USC or the UC's[ for Calif residents only] or 2] you didn't have the stats to be accepted into as a freshmen. This year for example, Stanford & U of Chicago had more freshman accept spots than the admissions offices had anticipated. That resulted in 0 students being accepted off the wait list, and far fewer few transfer students being accepted than in recent years. Stanford accepted 20/1400- less than 2%. The same happened at Chicago,Pomona, Dartmouth and at numerous highly competative, "elite" universities across the country WHO DON'T SAVE SPOTS FOR TRANSFERS [ i.e most of the colleges you listed]. I fear that as long as admission's offices are dealing with the Baby Boomlet, which is project to last until 2012, transfer students will have a MUCH harder time transfering "up" to more elite colleges than they have in the recent past.</p>
<p>Well I am a California resident and have good reasons to transfer. I'm more focused on the positives another school can offer me than the negatives of my current school. For example my reason to wanting to transfer to Penn is because Penn offers a program in which I can make an individualized major. By being in the diverse city of Philadelphia I can have access to internship opportunities that I currently do not have. My ultimate goal is to either become a public defender or a human\civil rights lawyer for the economically disadvantaged. By doing my individualized major under the guidance of a few prominent professors whom include Mary Frances Berry I believe I will be well rounded with internship experience and real world experience. For example I am interested in working with Professor Berry because of her work within the civil rights field. I have different reasons for wanting to transfer to each of the schools.</p>
<p>What makes you think schools such as Penn, Brown, Columbia, Standford, USC, and GU would want you? I mean, assuming you got in, what do you think would have done it for you? Why do you deserve to be there over the other people with a 3.8+ that have carried their grades for a lot longer than you, better reasons to transfer, and better ECs and awards?</p>
<p>There's a kid who got into g-town and upenn with a 3.3 college G.P.A and he/she probably doesn't have legacy, URM status or any other 'hooks'.Here's the kids stats:</p>
<p>-I have a 3.3 GPA right now - although my semester average was 3.7 last semester and I made the Dean's List... so I've been showing improvement
-I'm on the crew team (3 hrs practice every day of the week)
-Part of Student Environmental Action Coalition - on a subcomittee, i'm helping to start a co-op in Williamsburg for purchasing organic food and locally grown produce
-High School GPA: 3.81, SAT I's: 1410
-SAT IIs: Spanish w/listening - 780, History - 750
-AP scores: Amer. History - 5, English Lang - 5, Calc AB - 5, Spanish Lang - 4, Amer Gov't - 4, English Lit - 4, Chemistry - 3
-Activities in HS: Crew, Nat. Honor society, spanish honor society, rocketry, track/field
-awards in HS: lettered in crew, scholar athlete award, letter in academics, lettered in band, AP Scholar award (more than 7 APs taken)</p>
<p>Your G.P.A is good enough. Just write an excellent essays, get great recs and apply.</p>
<p>I would have to disagree with above. Colleges will look at HS GPA and stats too, and that is the big difference between the Geogetown transfer student, who had the stats to get into Georgetown as a freshman, and the OP.</p>
<p>Thank you for the responses so far. It's very much appreciated. So I'm guessing from the responses so far, that my chances are very low and not much I can do to improve my stock besides my gpa?</p>
<p>it is almost impossible to predict what 2008's transfers will be up against. As a 2008 prospective transfer myself, I am planning on having a low average of acceptances, not because my grades, scores, essays, and letters are bad but because of the slim chances that all of my (and your) possibilities will have enough open spots.</p>
<p>also, CCers are a dedicated community and truly strive for excellence but don't let them discourage you. I feel as though people on this board will speak to another boarder as though they work on admissions commitees. a little research shows what kind of students get accepted and I understand the idea of reassuring yourself with a "Reach Thread" but if you try your hardest and apply where you want to go, you always have some chance.</p>
<p>Thanks Adam and to all who have responded to this thread. I am not discouraged whether people say I have all the chance in the world or no chance in hell. I am just merely asking what people think of my application and what I can work on. I will continue to work hard to patch up soft spots here and there. Any other input would be greatly appreciated. =)</p>
<p>yeah, sorry my little speach had to happen in your thread but it was my way of saying...</p>
<p>your stats are very good. you have great highschool ECs and you look like you are a competitive transfer student. </p>
<p>Its so hard because I know a student who really excelled with ECs, grades, class rank and made it to CMU. I also know of someone who just graduated from PENN, and made it there with a 3.85 at pitt and hardly an EC to her name. it's hard to tell but I'm sure I'll be seeing you in the same transfer threads come admission time.</p>