Cornell to Stanford

I currently am a freshman attending the College of Engineering at Cornell University, but I feel that it’s not the right fit for me. I want to transfer to Stanford University. I know the chances of getting admitted are extremely slim but I feel I have a fairly good shot. Is it possible to transfer for my sophomore year?

Is it possible? yes.

Have you looked at the transfer info on the Engineering school website? they have advice there.

What makes you think that Stanford would be a better fit than Cornell? What do you not like about Cornell?

Other than weather, I don’t see all that big a difference. I have visited both schools many times although I only studied at one of them.

A few comments:

– In general I think it is a terrible idea to start one college with the intent of transferring out. This will stand in the way of your making meaningful friendships, developing relationships with professors, and getting involved on campus. Then if your transfer doesn’t work out as planned you will be really stuck. I’d go to the college you enrolled in with the intent of staying all four years. It is fine to throw in a couple of transfer applications but don’t count on it working out.

– You have been at Cornell for a matter of weeks. It is seriously early to decide it isn’t the school for you. Give it time. You haven’t given yourself time to get into the rhythm of the college, to meet your friends etc.

–Stanford takes very few transfer students. The website below says it takes 20 - 40 transfers/year or between 1% and 2% of applicants. No unhooked applicant has a “good shot” when the odds are so slim. http://www.collegetransfer.net/StanfordUniversity/TransferProfile/tabid/145/Default.aspx

-Also if you need financial aid, keep in mind that transfer students often do not get good aid.

OP is also looking to xfer to Berkeley. OP, is the element CA v NY?

I was born and raised in Southern California. I definitely prefer CA to NY, but there’s other things involved here too. The primary reason I chose Cornell is because I have family in upstate New York and because my twin brother committed here for sports (he’s my roommate). I always felt pressured to choose Cornell because it would be easier for my parents to have both of us at the same school, and I figured I would fall in love with Cornell the same way I fell in love with Stanford, Cal, and USC. That just isn’t the case. Cal and Stanford were always my top picks, but because my brother committed for sports, my parents pushed for me to apply ED.

Have you considered Harvey Mudd College ?

Try visiting more waterfalls near Cornell, and walk over to the Farmer’s Market, its to the west of campus,
and there is a bus to get over there, but its a pretty nice long walk, and good energy over there.
. Or walk through
the botanic garden once a week and watch it change with the seasons.
Join one club and go to it religiously and see if that helps you at all.

It does sound like you got a lot of pressure. How about finding a new roommate? It seems stifling
to be stuck with your twin, who is a varsity athlete,
but then, Cornell is an amazing place, explore a bit to take advantage
of what you got in life!

Try that ice cream at the Cornell Dairy bar.

It may be better for you to transfer, given that you were pressured, but be sure your parents will pay
for you to go to school in California. Will the price be the same for your parents?

USC is more expensive than Cornell. Stanford, I don’t know.

You will need a very good explanation of why Cornell is not working
academically. Chances are you can make it work, and grow in new ways and avoid your brother completely
on the large Cornell campus.

I sure hope you and your brother will choose different majors! Do you get along with him?

Harvey Mudd College is small. Very small. No substantial on campus research work compared to Cornell.

What are your academic interests?

Cal and Stanford are very, very different. Lol

@Coloradomama I’m pretty good at dealing with academic pressure, I don’t think that’s what my issue is. I get along fine with my brother but I just feel I could be happier somewhere else. I’ve been to Berkeley and Stanford and know that I would definitely be happier there. For Cal, it would be cheaper for my parents, USC and Stanford would be around the same. I’m interested in Computer Science, so I know that Stanford and Cal would be the same rigor, if not more difficult. I’m not one to shy away from hard work, so it shouldn’t be an issue.