<p>So I know it will be highly unlikely that I get into a top UC (i.e. Cal or LA), but I am positive that I can get into the mid- and lower-tiered ones. With that, which one should I go to, the lower tiered (i.e. UCR, UCM) or mid tiered (i.e. UCSD, UCSB) if I want to try to apply to transfer to an Ivy league school during my freshman year?</p>
<p>I plan on majoring in applied mathematics (maybe statistics) and economics.</p>
<p>Also, my HS gpa is pretty low (3.33), but that was only because I went to a competitive HS. I'm confident that I can get a high gpa in college. But what should I do to strengthen my app?</p>
<p>Are the Ivies transfer-friendly? And do they require high school records for transfer applicants? There is a chance you may not be able to transfer.</p>
<p>Consider which of the schools you would be willing to stay at for the full four years to a bachelor’s degree. Consider how strong they are in the majors you are interested in.</p>
<p>You have a couple good options here. First pick a school that you like that you can get into and stick it out for 4 years. Second pick a school you like and can get into and then try to transfer after freshman year. Third (my personal favorite) go to community college and then when you go to transfer out you have an excellent reason for wanting to transfer.</p>
<p>Take a look at the timing of transfer apps, as a soph transfer you will be applying after having completed 1 sem/qt of college. Your 4 yr HS record (gpa & rigor of coursework) and test scores will be weighted much more heavily than the short time you will have spent in college.</p>