Do I have actual chance of transfer?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

It’s not a “chance me” thread but a question related to rather technical aspects of my application. I also want to set my expectations right for 15th and learn more about US admission mechanics for future applications.

  • 2nd year international student
  • Business Informatics major at home (a wicked mixture of maths, economics and programming)
  • Applied for transfer to UPenn, electrical engineering major

THE ISSUE
Now, I expected to transfer as a sophomore. At least it’s quite common in my country to “lose” a year when transferring. But only now have I realized, the fact they waived my mid-term report implies they consider me for junior standing. The thing here is that I barely have enough courses for sophomore standing, still missing chemistry though. And I certainly don’t have enough courses for junior standing. However, I still sent them my mid-term report.

Here are REQUIREMENTS after two years of college (+ met, ~ possibly, - nothing)
• a total of four courses in math (calculus through differential equations) +
• two courses in physics (involving the use of calculus) ~ (Introduction to Quantum Physics?)
• one course in chemistry -
• one course in computer programming +
• three or four courses in the social sciences and humanities +
• as many engineering and applied science courses as possible -

One year requirements leave me with only chemistry missing.

QUESTIONS
Do I give up on this application?
Does UPenn practise “rollbacks” (i.e losing a year) when admitting transfers?
How common is it in general? (I recall only Princeton explicitly mentioning that)
May they enroll me offering a different major other than the one I specified?

Do I have any chance of transferring as 3rd year student (I’d be happy to start even as a freshman)?

2

I’d say have no expectations of getting in: if you don’t get in then that’s what you expected, if you do then it is a pleasant surprise. Penn doesn’t practice rollbacks and I don’t think they’d enroll you offering you a different major. I’m sure they do that for incoming freshmen but for transfers you get in for a specified major or don’t get in at all. If you still want to transfer next year, call them beforehand and explain your situation and ask if you’d be considered a sophomore/or whatever year you’d be. Whatever you’re not sure of or you think is misleading in your application, explain it in your common app and call/email the university itself. Good luck on Tuesday!

3

@ngdoan thanks for the information. Yes, probably I will approach it the way you suggested.