<p>This is my first time doing the ‘chances’ thread. I’ve held out for awhile. Here we go…</p>
<p>Currently: Sophomore at SUNY Binghamton
Major: Philosophy and English (probably just philosophy if I transfer)
GPA: 3.92 currently, >3.85 at end of semester
SAT: 1440 (790v, 650m)
ECs: President of philosophy club, president/founder of percussion group, newspaper columnist, contract manager for university music booking agency, 12 years of playing drums – teaching, performing, recording two albums, producing for other bands, owning a professional studio, booking big town festivals and shows, college masterclasses when in hs, etc.
Recs: Both great. One from (arguably) the biggest name on campus.</p>
<p>I’m trying to figure out if the transfer applications are worth it. I was very disappointed to learn that Brown and Vassar are both need-aware and require SAT2s. With those two schools out of the picture, my list changes quite a bit. The following are the schools that I would ultimately be choosing between. In the end, if I was to apply anywhere, I’d limit my applications to around 3 schools.</p>
<p>Okay, I'll put you out of your misery ;). Of course, no one knows your chances. But I'd rank your likelihood at those schools in the following order, based on collegeboard.com reports on their transfer acceptance rates and SAT verbal score profiles (I used verbal as being the more important based on your fields of interest).</p>
<p>School Transfers Accepted SATv score fit
Wesleyan >1/3, comfortably in top 25% SATv
Swarthmore 25%, SATv just into top 25%
Amherst 1/7, just into top 25% on SATv
Bowdoin 1/10, comfortably in top 25% on SATv
Columbia <1/10, in top 25% on SATv
Harvard <1/10, cusp of top 25% SATv</p>
<p>If I were you, I'd try Wesleyan because the stats look more favorable for transfers. Then try whichever you think fit you best and make the best possi ble case for yourself in your applications. It sounds like you're comfortable with the possibility of finishing out at SUNY Bing (an excellent school, btw). If so, you're fine. If not, I'll repeat my mantra that you should choose at least one safe school (over 40% acceptance, preferably a lot more). With strong recs, I think you should definitely go for it.</p>
<p>thanks so much for your help, jmmom! i donated the change to the collegeboard. i figured they needed it most, what with all the test cancellation fees and late registration charges =)</p>
<p>You need more matches. Whatever happened to our discussion about Georgetown, Rice, Chicago, and so forth? I am not on the admissions committee this year, so no worries:D</p>
<p>fortunately, i'm happy enough with my school so that matches won't really be necessary. in the (likely) event that I don't get accepted to those universities, i'd be more than happy to stay put where i am.</p>
<p>as for your suggestions, they all seem like amazing places, but its really just a matter of location. i'm only looking on the northeast.</p>
<p>then again, georgetown is about 1.5 hours closer than bowdoin is, so maybe i should give it another look... then you could help me with my philosophy papers haha.</p>
<p>Well, if you are considering top Ph.D programs or top J.D. programs, transferring to a top 25 school when you can helps significantly. Just last week my advisor was recommending that I apply to places like MIT and Princeton for philosophy, and discussed how our department placed undergrads at top programs in general. This, in my opinion, would not have occurred at most places outside the top 25.</p>
<p>
[quote]
how visible do you find the jesuit tradition to be there?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Well, the only real reminder if the jesuit presence is the crosses in the classrooms and the lack of birth-control on campus. Other than that, the professors and administration are pretty liberal. I am an agnostic, and I have had absolutely no problems with the religious presence. Most of my friends are atheists, and most of my professors are as well. In fact, Georgetown does not strike me as an overwhelmingly religious place.</p>
<p>well that's good to hear. i'm definitely looking for a more liberal environment. that's actually a big factor for me. not so sure if amherst fits in that sense...
i'm going to take another look at georgetown.</p>