<p>If I show that I can succeed in a school like university of Chicago my freshman year (like straight A's), do you think I'll have a better chance of successfully transfering to a school like Yale or Stanford my sophmore year??</p>
<p>Why would a student at a top 10 university like Chicago want to transfer out unless he/she is miserable? Obviously, a student that does well at Chicago will have a shot at transfering into Stanford or Yale, but they will expect a very good reason.</p>
<p>Statistically, virtually none, unless there is a very specific program that exists at the one school that doens't exist at another.</p>
<p>Gee do you think Chicago won't see your back door plan?</p>
<p>Personally, I'd be happier at University Of Chicago than both Stanford or Yale, but I wouldn't think of transfering from either Stanford or Yale to go to University Of Chicago.</p>
<p>Uchicago kind of is "like Yale or Stanford"...It probably wouldn't be worth transferring.</p>
<p>It's not like Chicago is easier to get into than Yale or Stanford...?</p>
<p>From what I've heard, though, Chicago is a very independent, liberal institution. They would probably stress different parts of your application than Yale or Stanford. Is that what you mean?</p>
<p>Chicago is a great school. I know someone who was accepted at Harvard as well, but turned them down for Chicago.</p>
<p>I transferred from Cornell to Stanford back in the seventies. My reasons for doing so were personal, although I stressed academic reasons in my transfer appication. </p>
<p>The biggest advantage in having transferred for me turns out to have been the opportunity to pay in-state tuition at Berkeley for my next degree; this benefit was completely extraneous to my decision-making process. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that there are real disadvantages to transferring. It generally means starting from scratch socially. Many people form life-time friendships their freshman year of college; I've lost touch with all of the friends I made in my first two years of college. I only got to live on-campus at Stanford for one year; I made some lasting friendships that year, but it was only one year. Transferring usually means you're less likely to attain leadership positions in extra-curricular activities. I had been encouraged to apply to the honors program in my major at Cornell, but started my junior year at Stanford with no professors who knew me; I didn't do an honors thesis.</p>
<p>Unless you have a compelling reason to leave, I'd plan on staying at Chicago for four years. (Switching to a school because it seems to have marginally more brand-name appeal is not a compelling reason.)</p>