Chances at transferring to Williams?

Transfer Students
1

<p>I haven't started college yet, but I will be trying to transfer from a large public university (UMass Amherst) to several smaller liberal arts colleges. I stand a pretty good chance at most of them. The only really iffy one is Williams, so that is why I'm focusing my thread on that. The statistics read that only around 5-10 transfer applicants are accepted each year out of a pool of somewhere between 70-100 applicants. Chances are slim, but I'm going for it.</p>

<p>This might be a bit long, but I'd really appreciate it if you'd read and then advise...</p>

<p>I ended up at pretty much my last choice school mostly due to the fact that I did not put the proper effort into my applications the first time around. However, I did get accepted into the Commonwealth College, which is the university's honors program. It apparently has an excellent reputation.</p>

<p>Anyway. My intended major is psychology with a minor in education. Having reviewed my credentials, I was given a rare exception, allowing me to participate in the Five College Program (take classes at nearby Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College) when first semester freshmen are not allowed. Would this look good on my transcript?</p>

<p>Okay, my stats...</p>

<p>High School GPA: 4.0 out of 4.2 w
approx. 3.8 out of 4.0 uw
Major upward trend during junior and senior year...4.0 and 4.1 GPA every quarter. Quite rigorous courseload; all honors and AP's (one intensive level class sophomore year but hey...what can you do)
Class Rank: 10/179 (competitive high school)
2000 SAT I (yeah its a bit low, but also I read on the Williams website that the most emphasis is placed on college grades and your essay)
I read that SAT II's aren't required for Williams transfer...mine weren't all too stellar.</p>

<p>I intend to maintain a 4.0 (or very close to it) GPA in college.</p>

<p>Okay...EC's
-Member of a synchronized skating team for over 7 years...captain for the past 4 years. In 2004 we were the Bronze Medallists at the Eastern Sectional Championships...more recently we took gold at the Lake Placid Synchronized Skating Classic, among many other awards.
-Studied the piano for 8 years...I will be including a CD with my application (do you think this will help? I possess considerable talent according to my teacher)
-Figure Skating Coach for the past year and a half, and will continue in college.
-National Honor Society
-Latin Club
-Math tutor
- Volunteer with the Learn to Skate Program and Basic Skills program (two separate things) at my ice rink for the past five years, will continue in college.</p>

<p>Academic Honors
-One time recipient of the Magna Cum Laude Latin Award for the National Latin Exam (basically it was like second place)
-Two time recipient of the Summa Cum Laude Latin Award for the National Latin Exam (obviously, first place)
-Colgate University Book Award recipient
-Academic Achievement Award for placing in the top ten in my graduating class
-Selected to participate in the John Hopkins University Talent Search Program</p>

<p>I live in Berkshire County, which is where Williams College is located for those of you who may not know, which is supposedly a plus? My rationale for leaving my present college includes a family situation which would be ameliorated somewhat if I were closer to home (just trust me on this, I'd rather not go into details on a discussion forum). Also, the university is large and impersonal...and the primary focus of much of the student body really isn't on academics...this has become apparent even from the three day orientation program and the classes that I have already attended. I will of course back this up with some concrete facts upon completion of some actual courses at the school. Plus, I will be attending classes at smaller area colleges, which I know I will enjoy tremendously. I could provide that as proof that I feel I will benefit more from Williams than from a large research institution. I have already started my essay. Its in the VERY early draft stages, but it definitely has promise. I feel much better about this essay than my previous one. I have already put a considerable amount of thought and time into it, along with my essays for other transfer college applications. There is an optional peer evaluation that Williams transfer applicants may choose a friend to fill out for them. I am doing this, and I just know my friend will do it right for me. It can only help, right?</p>

<p>If anyone has a Williams transfer success story, or is trying for a transfer there as well, I'd love to hear your story!</p>

<p>I know I'm forgetting something...oh well. I can't think of it at the moment, so I will add it if and when I do. Thanks in advance, your comments and advice are valued and highly appreciated.</p>

2

<p>I think you've got good chances...the biggest thing at Williams has got to be your reason for transfer since it is pretty self-selective (with only around 100 applicants) and nearly all of them are up to par. You're really fortunate to be located near Williams, so take advantage of the opportunity to speak with admissions and let them know how interested you are. I think you've got a great shot if you keep your GPA high.</p>

3

<p>I hope so...bump</p>

4

<p>bump bump bump</p>

5

<p>bump? please?</p>

6

<p>Why should residence in Berkshire County be a plus? Williams is more likely to want geographical diversity.</p>

7

<p>Not true. Williams gives a sizeable nudge to residents of Berkshire Co.</p>

<p>I'm not certain that your "need to be close to home" argument is a compelling one. UMASS is only about 1 hour away from Pittsfield. Heck, I know of people who commute from Williamstown to the 5-college region every day.</p>

<p>You really should give U-MASS a fair shake. If, after a year at UMASS, your desire to transfer persists, then go for it. Realize that Williams gives preference in the transfer admissions process to graduates of two-year institutions.The remaining successful transfer applicants are generally students from Ivies, who applied to and were accepted by Williams as freshmen, but after having spent a year or two at Ivy X, realized that they made a poor decision.</p>

<p>Acceptance rates for transfer applicants hover between 5 and 15 percent depending on the year.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.williams.edu/admission/apply_transfer.php%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.williams.edu/admission/apply_transfer.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

8

<p>mikeyd223 - can you provide evidence on your comment that Williams gives preference to CC students? I am from a CC, and I have heard this several times. I am really interested in Williams, but since they only took about 10 students last year, I really thought it was pointless. However, if what you say is true, I may give it a shot anyways.</p>

9

<p>The only evidence that I feel I need is the email I received from the Williams office of admissions itself, saying that they don't give preference to any particular kind of school. They evaluate each application individually and make their decisions based on that.</p>

<p>I'll forward it to you if you'd like.</p>

10

<p>lol no I'd take your word Andrea...I've just heard it from several other ppl on the board as well...it may just be an urban legend that ppl wish was true.</p>

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<p>Hmmph, on their transfer application website, they used to mention that preference was given to graduates of two-year institutions.</p>

<p>It's clear that the transfer website is not updated regularly, or carefully. In fact, the entire admissions website at Williams is quite embarassing . But I digress.</p>

<p>There's absolutely no harm in applying, but virtually all of the transfers that I knew fell into one of the two aforementioned categories. Expect the worst and hope for the best.</p>

12

<p>To 'resolve' this myth:</p>

<p>1) MikeyD223 is right. On the admissions website, there 'used' to metion that preference was given to 2 year, CC graduates. I applied for transfer this year and I remember seeing it as recently as March. I checked the website for the paragraph recently and apparently it is no longer there.</p>

<p>2) I was accepted as a transfer student this year- however, I do not plan to attend. I applied from a top 15 university (again...subjective U.S. News rankings..so take it with a grain of salt) but not a Ivy. I also do not know how many students applied, how many were accepted and how many are enrolling.</p>

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<p>I know what the website says, but I also know what an actual person told me, much more recently than March. But whatever you'd like to believe is fine with me. I'm still going for it.</p>

<p>But congrats on getting accepted Windcloudultra, that's quite an accomplishment. ^_^ If you don't mind me asking...what are your stats?</p>

<p>And MikeyD, when you say "all the transfers that I knew" are you referring to ALL transfers in general or just transfers to Williams in particular?</p>

<p>Part of the e-mail I received said "We are not looking to fill only third year spots and we do not give preference to any particular group or college"</p>

14

<p>It's possible that Williams has changed their policy since the website no longer states anything about 2-year colleges. I'll send you a PM with my stats later if you are so interested.</p>

<p>Might be a few days...sorry about the delay but I'm gonna be outta town for a while.</p>

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<p>^^ thats alright...whenever you get the chance. Thanks. ^_^</p>

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<p>I'm referring to the transfers I knew at Williams. Very small sample size</p>

<p>Go for it...</p>

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<p>Oh I see.</p>

<p>Anyway, as for my reasons to transfer...</p>

<p>-My college doesn't offer one of the foreign languages I'd like to take...
-Williams has a stronger program in the major I am planning to pursue...
-My college is a large, impersonal party school, in which the mindset of a large portion of the student body seems to be more focused towards Greek life and things along those lines, rather than academics...I even felt extremely out of place at the orientations, so I can't imagine what living there will be like...I've had several opportunities to visit Williams since I live so closeby, and the atmosphere there couldn't be more different. Its much more academic oriented, yet relaxed at the same time...</p>

<p>Are any of these reasons valid?</p>

18

<p>Eh...valid's not the word...of course they're valid, because they're true. What I am trying to articulate is: Are these reasons what they are looking for?</p>

<p>There is also my family situation, but I'm not so sure anymore if I'm going to elaborate too much on that in my essay...</p>

19

<p>I would stick with the strength of the academic major as a reason for transferring. Interaction with faculty might be another focal point in your essay?</p>

<p>What language does Williams offer that UMASS doesn't? </p>

<p>Again, all of the reasons you presented are valid, but none of them wow me! Most of the transfer applicants probably present similar stoires. Then again, I'm not in charge of making decisions, so what I think is of little importance. </p>

<p>Try to differentiate yourself. What is unique about Andrea that makes her a good fit for Williams. Don't dwell on what you can get out Williams, rather think about what Williams can get out of you. Sell yourself...</p>

20

<p>UMass doesn't offer Russian!! I really want to take it and always have, since my entire family came from Russia. They didn't offer it at my high school either, and I was really crushed when I discovered UMass wasn't offering it next year or the year after!! I will be taking one elementary Russian class as part of the Five College thing, probably.</p>

<p>And I am working on the 'sell yourself' thing.</p>

<p>edit: Do things that make me different as a person all around qualify as trying to sell myself? I could work with that...Or should it be a really unique reason that I would like to transfer for?</p>