Gap year and transferring to Brown/Stanford/Dartmouth/Duke?

Transfer Students
1

Hello,

I’m a current Columbia University rising sophomore interested in transferring to Brown (also considering Stanford, Dartmouth and Duke). I have a 4.0 GPA and I’m majoring (I think, although still uncertain) in English and education. Because I didn’t realize how much I wanted to transfer until I completed my freshman year, I have two current options: return to Columbia in the fall and apply to Brown for spring 2016 OR take a gap year (fall 2015-spring 2016) and apply to Brown (to become a Brown sophomore in fall 2016). During my gap year I plan to go to California (I live in New York) and find an internship while fully supporting myself and living on my own. At the same time, I’ll be working on a book. I want to take a gap year but I have a few concerns. First, I’m worried that Brown will not view a gap year positively (will it look like I’m dropping out? like I don’t have motivation? like I’m not taking control of my life? like I’m an unpredictable student to accept?). Second, I’m worried that if I don’t get accepted to any schools and have to return to Columbia, I will lose guaranteed housing at Columbia, won’t have friends, etc. etc. I know you don’t know me at all and thus can’t make predictions about my chances, but I would love some advice. Is a gap year a good idea in terms of getting accepted to schools or should I return to Columbia and apply while I’m there?

Thanks!

Ellen Ruth

2

Just wondering, but why are you interested in applying to transfer to Brown? What don’t you like about columbia?

I think a 4.0 GPA at COLUMBIA is incredibly impressive and will put you on the map for brown, duke, etc etc

3

IMHO
Take a gap year or not wont look bad in your transfer efforts. I would more concerned on the credits that the receiving college will accept. That alone may set you back one semester or even a year. You should seriously reconsider the reasons for your actions and your ultimate goals of your life. Because there is little added value by transferring to Brown or other schools.

In addition, California is pretty expensive for short term living, I am not sure you can support yourself as an intern.

4

First, normally I don’t encourage folks on their aspiration to transfer to an Ivy plus, as they are just not cognizant how competitive it is to make a successful application. That said, you seem to be in that rare category.

I agree with all of the above and would add the following: the gap years needs to look symmetrical with both your education and career goals. Admission folks are very keen to pick-up on the cadence of a student’s career trajectory–and if something seems out of sorts, you need to explain it–but moreover to explain it in such a way that develops a cohesive narrative to your education, i.e. no BSing. Best–