<p>Hello, </p>
<p>So currently I am in my third year of University but by the end of this semester I am almost certain that I want to transfer schools. Currently I have a 4.0 after two years studying at my local State University, but I was hoping to transfer somewhere out west, preferably California. Two things make my situation unique; one, I come from a very low income household and I'm hoping that academic achievement will help greatly in whichever University I decide to transfer to, and two, I didn't exactly do great in high school (3.0 GPA), and average test scores.</p>
<p>So essentially, I'm just curious which Universities would give the best aid to a low income student, and which Universities wouldn't require high school grades or standardized test grades, but instead wholly on University grades.</p>
<p>Please help me out!
Best Regards, Sam.</p>
<p>Even though universities might require high school grades, if you are in your third year with a 4.0, I think that the high school grades are going to be a small factor in their decision. And it’s not like your high school GPA was 2.0. The college GPA at this point would have much more weight.</p>
<p>Very few colleges offer merit aid to transfer students.</p>
<p>Very few universities accept 3rd year transfers and in most cases they require you to spend 2 full years on campus. The universities that offer the best financial aid hardly take any transfer at all.</p>
<p>The California public universities do not consider high school records for junior level transfer applicants (minimum 60 semester units or 90 quarter units). However, some have limits against transfer applicants with enough units to have senior standing, if they are not all from community colleges.</p>
<p>Of course, financial aid will be limited at best if you are not a California resident.</p>
<p>In general, public universities are more transfer friendly than private universities, but financial aid will be limited at best if you are not a state resident. Check net price calculators.</p>
<p>In California, the most obvious private university that takes significant numbers of transfers is USC. USC’s transfer admission policies are listed here:
[Transfer</a> Students - USC Undergraduate Admission](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/apply/transfer.html]Transfer”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/apply/transfer.html)
Note that high school records are required, but have more importance for those applying with fewer than 30 semester units of college work. Of course, you will want to check the net price calculator to see if it is worth applying at all – if too expensive, it is probably not worth the bother.</p>
<p>Few colleges offer merit aid to transfers, but some do. Given your financial situation, it may be wise to focus on those.</p>
<p>With 2 years of college under your belt, your high school grades and SAT or ACT scores should not factor into the admissions decision <em>at all</em>. I don’t know of any schools that will even ask for them at that point.</p>
<p>Your 4.0 GPA at the state school is your selling point. Join some academic honor societies if you can, for additional academic bling. Extracurriculars are also still a key ingredient.</p>
<p>As I posted on another thread from the OP, some schools do require SATs and HS grades. It may only be what are considered elite schools (such as UPenn).</p>