Early transfer advice?

<p>i was wondering if anyone who’s recently transferred into brown (congrats guys!) or is part of the class of '09 transfers could help me out. i kinda have to get started on this process early because most of the next six months i’ll be teaching english abroad. the website says the app won’t be available until this winter or something crazy, so i’m wondering exactly what it requires! i was thinking of submitting some things early; have y’all had good luck with flexibility and admissions? also i would like to know if brown is a good match for me: this is just a little vague, but what, if anything, do you think brown is looking for, for transfers especially?</p>

<p>I am an accepted transfer this year for '08. You're actually not allowed to send in stuff early, because they don't want to be inundated with transfer apps while they are reviewing thousands of freshman apps. </p>

<p>The app was very similar to the freshman app. It asks for two professor recommendations, transcript from college, transcript from high school, high school counselor report, a letter from the dean of your college saying that you're in good standing, and a personal statement. The personal statement includes space to write our your extra curriculars, asks you what got you interested in brown, an academic area that interstests you and why you're applying to brown, and your essay is something like "articulate your college experience so far and your reasons for transferring to Brown"</p>

<p>I personally sent in a ton of supplementary stuff like 2 extra recs, a ceramics portfolio, a booklet I made from a science apprenticeship I did, an extra essay, and an addendum explaining the significance of some of my jobs and ec. I personally think that stuff helps, but I'll never really know. I also had the rugby team going to bat for me (they are club, so their support is minor). But if you're going to play a club sport get in contact with them, and they can help if you're really really good. I also got in contact with my admin officer, and talked to the head of transfer admissions about the sticky financial aid situation. </p>

<p>I wrote my essay about zydeco dancing :)</p>

<p>I hope that helped</p>

<p>thanks clay! ya know, that supplementary stuff can never hurt, I'll def. keep that in mind, as well as the networking with admissions officers!
I'll be curious to hear what you and other transfers think of brown once you get there. If anyone else (maybe current students?) has an idea what brown is looking for, not really so I can spin my app to get in, but more like to find out if it's the right place for me. I want to be more careful about that sorta thing this time around! I visited brown my junior year in a classic grand northeast college tour, so I got a little bit of an idea what it's like, but I didn't do an overnight or anything. now I'm kicking myself for not applying then :)</p>

<p>I would also look at Dartmouth as a second option. Dartmouth is a really easy place to transfer into and assimilate due to size,Sophomore summer, study abroad, etc. Brown is amazing too, I choose between these two as a transfer.</p>

<p>At the same time I'm pretty sure the atmosphere's and stuent bodies are very different. Darmouth is more conservative, preppy, and greek, no? </p>

<p>I'd say Brown doesn't do a whole lot to help out its incoming transfers! Or at least not as much as it could/should</p>

<p>Yeah, it is more conservative, preppy, and greek but its no Wake Forest. It has a HUGE contingent of people similar to Brown people though.</p>

<p>clay, on second thought, i guess i wouldn't really expect brown to provide that much support to transfers since it seems to be a place geared to such independent people. i should prob. just try to visit again when school's in session, if i can find a time when i'm in the country!</p>

<p>slipper, i've heard that dartmouth provides a great support system for transfers, so that's true? although that would be a major draw for me, my only concern is that the rural & greek atmosphere is very similar to that of my old school. also you said study abroad, does that mean you did that after transferring? i'd be worried that would make things more difficult socially...but i saw on their website they have a program at trinity college dublin, which was sorta my dream before i decided to transfer...hmmm
anyway, at this point i'm keeping an open mind! thanks for the suggestion</p>

<p>I'm transferring into Brown! Yess. Anyway, I found Brown richly accomodating. I get something in the mail every couple days or so giving me information on Brown and we have the orientation only for transfers. I had to talk to the admissions office too several times and they were very friendly and understanding.</p>

<p>cop, what classes are you taking? hve you sent in your card yet? tnx</p>

<p>Vapour,</p>

<p>Dartmouth literally could not be more transfer friendly. There are special programs, you get the best housing, you get to go on orientation trips with the first years, etc. With sophomore summer added into the mix, upon graduation most of your class has no idea you ever transferred. </p>

<p>As for study abroad, Dartmouth has one of the best programs in the world and literally I know transfers who went on three study abroad programs. I personally went on two international adventures - one study abroad and one research grant.</p>

<p>The downside is what you mentioned- its greek dominated socially. that is not to say there isn't a huge alternative scene - there is - but you will notice the greek parties. I think for you Brown might be the right choice but don't rule out Dartmouth.</p>

<p>thanks y'all! </p>

<p>copper, maybe i'll try sweet talking the admin people and see what happens with letting me submit things early. it's worth a try right?</p>

<p>out of curiosity, what are you guys majoring in? i was looking at brown for its comp lit program, which i hear was the first in the country, and supposedly one of the best. do any current students know about how strong the program is?</p>

<p>Neruo or some kind of life science and visual art. Want to do the 5 year AB ScB prgram,as I am also prevet.</p>

<p>hello i am a freshman and have been doing relatively well thus far. However i do not have the highest test scores or things of that nature. I have visited Brown a few times trying to get my name through and throughout the entirety of the admission process i emailed/called the admissions office once a week. Immediately after i received my rejection letter i emailed the dean of admissions stressing how i am not giving up on my dream to attend Brown and have emailed him as well as the president of the school a few times this year reassuring that my dream has not fizzled out and filling them in on some things ive been doing. I have been EXTREMELY involved with the election not only on campus but in the community as well. I guess after reading some other discussions on this website im doubting myself a little haha. I have been extremely persistent with expressing how important Brown is to me and hopefully is viewed as positively by the admissions office when they review the transfer applications. Ultimately, im wondering if you have any further advice.</p>

<p>Not qualified on the actually transfer process, but I do advice you not to have your heart set on Brown too much. For one thing, it's bond to affect your grades at your present school. You should utility every opportunity you have NOW, that is to do well at your current school (most importantly academically). You will have the same opportunities in 4 years, graduating with a top GPA from your current school as you would from Brown. As cliched as it may sound it's what you do at your school that matters, not which school you are at. I've learnt from my mistakes, and thankfully it's still not too late for me. I'm not discouraging you from transferring, I just don't want you to waste away your chance at your current school thinking about getting into Brown all the time.</p>

<p>Don't email the admissions office once a week. Please.</p>

<p>I havent been this year. And i know its not the school you graduate from but I still want to do everything i possibly can and at least know i gave it my best shot. I was planning on visiting in early january, is this also a bad idea?</p>

<p>You emailed Ruth?? Oh muh lord.</p>

<p>is that bad?</p>

<p>I'm not even sure how to explain this. Anyone else step in....</p>

<p>Wow. I agree with wolfmanjack. I think wasting Ruth Simmons' time like that was an awful idea and I am sure that e-mailing admissions every week annoyed them like no other. Your desperation probably hurt you last year and, from the likes of it, will hurt you again this year. Stop trying so hard. Admissions officers are just people too...really, really nice people at that.</p>