I had roughly a 2.9 GPA for my freshman year at fordham (which was university I got the most money to as a freshman) then I transferred to wentworth to raise my GPA and I did and it was a 3.8 there. I was a math major at both of these places. I also managed to save a lot of money while at wentworth.
If high school still matters (which it probably doesn’t), I had a 4.0 and was in the top 10 of my class and had an sat score between 1900 and 2000 I believe, I don’t remember. I was involved in a few clubs at both places and have a part time internship right now.
I’m really interested in doing more undergraduate research at a place like RPI/WPI in computer science because wentworth is much more career focused with very little undergraduate research opportunities. I’m especially interested in bioinformatics, data science, and security. I know that undergraduates at RPI and WPI have many more opportunities do do research like this while still undergrads. I really want to eventually get a masters too. Would I even have a shot at a good university computer science program if i transferred twice? Also, what do you think my chances of getting into RPI (I was accepted as a freshman but decided not to go which was the biggest regret I have to this day) or WPI are? Is undergraduate research opportunities even a reason to transfer? I would have to transfer to comp sci at my current university anyways by the way. I’m also not sure I want comp sci or bioinformatics (which wpi and rpi have but wit does not). I’m definitely doing my research this time on all of the schools and if by some chance i get accepted into spring of next year I will not turn it down.
Thanks for your help in advance or just for reading this.
Transferring comes down to are you in good academic standing with your current university (which you are) and if you have the credits they want a transfer to have into such a program. I am not sure how much math goes into Computer Science or Bioinformatics. I transferred for engineering quite a few times and because I had 4-5 high math courses completed already, it made me a more competitive candidate. I am not sure how much your math curriculum will transfer into the programs you have chosen. Either way, yes you have a chance because of your grades and academic history.
High school standards do still matter, and it greatly help you since you had a lower gpa at Fordham and a higher GPA at Wentworth.
RPI and WPI are both very competitive and it helps you already were accepted into RPI once I am sure. Whether you have a good chance to get in or not, I couldn’t honestly tell you. To me, you have a lot of great factors and some not so great factors. It is bizarre to see on paper you transferred from one school to another but didn’t change into a major you currently want to be in and just stayed in mathematics. While you can easily explain that here, you might not have the chance to explain that later. It could come across as you making dramatic life changes on merely whims. On the other hand, it could be that it took you awhile to get exposed to something you could be passionate about. However, then again you have two major choices posted up there and so you still haven’t decided on what you want to pursue. That in itself, means you probably aren’t ready to transfer yet.
You need to figure out what you want to do between the two or find the best case scenario to figure it out. Like maybe applying to CS and pursuing a masters in bioinformatics or something like that. Either way, CS and bioinformatics will probably have drastically different transfer credit requirements and you might only be eligible for one or none and then you have to schedule courses based on what you need to be able to transfer into which ever one.
In short, you need to come up with a firm plan of action you can pursue over the next 3 years. You shouldn’t be worried about whether RPI or WPI will accept you. You need to look at the two programs of CS and bioinformatics and see what they require at both schools and see if you are even eligible to transfer into either of them. After that, compile a list of schools that are known for undergraduate research opportunities along with WPI and RPI (for example Drexel has a load of career and research opportunities with undergraduate focus) that also have your major of interests. Then apply. The results will let you know what you need to do. I truly think the first step is seeing what you are eligible for between CS and bioinformatics and go from there. Don’t pigeon hole yourself to just RPI and WPi because you regret making a choice coming out of high school.
P.S. I apologize I was going to go back and simplify this all but I am out of time here at work. Feel free to post questions or ask for clarification!
CS does require a lot of math and I was actually looking into double majoring in math and computer science. I guess I just wanted to know are more research opportunities and wanting a school that offers coterminal masters degrees and double majors a valid reason to transfer?
Yes those could be considered valid reasons in my opinion.
Hi Transfer Student! I actually was just accepted to RPI after leaving Wentworth this past fall. I found Wentworth to not be my dream school. I walked away with a 3.5 GPA and transfered to a local community college for the spring semester. When speaking with the admission counselor from RPI he said they aren’t looking for the perfect GPA, but want you to be involved with your school along with taking courses for your major and not pointless courses. At WIT I was apart of SWE along with Student government and rugby. I also never submitted by ACT or SAT scores since I had enough credits. I believe you stand a chance with your GPA and being involved in clubs. But I don’t know where your credits stand, that’s what it will come down too. At RPI Comp Sci and Bioinformatics are hard majors to get into, I was accepted into the ChemE program with a minor in BME. Seeing as you are a math major you should have a majority of those completed for RPI, but do you have the Bioinformatics minor that is offered at WIT? If not I would suggest taking those courses this fall, that will give you a competitive edge when applying. Also check out RPI’s requirements for each major and only take courses that match those requirements, you can also see what will transfer using this page https://sis.rpi.edu/rss/yhwwkwags.P_Web_Artic_Guide. Again I did transfer from WIT so if you have any questions feel free to respond 