<p>This fall I will be a freshman majoring in math at Purdue University IN, but I already know I'm looking to transfer. I preformed poorly through most of HS and because of that my gpa, test scores etc were a really poor reflection of my academic habits and abilities. I feel like I can get into a much better school now than I could have before. So, I am looking to transfer to a top 20-25 University/College and I have a few questions. </p>
<p>I need to retake the SAT + SAT II's since my current SAT score is a 1970(660CR/720M/590W) and my II's were a 610MII/550Lit. I have been trying to figure out how/when I am going to take these two tests and I've run into some trouble. The first problem is that I can't find a test center. It doesn't seem like Purdue proctors the SAT. I noticed the local HS proctors the SAT during one of the testing dates I will be there for, but that leaves me 1 date short. None of the testing dates seem to overlap with any of my breaks either so I can't take them back at home. I'm sure this problem comes up once in a while, what is the typical solution? Also, should I start a new collegeboard account for these tests? Is that being dishonest in some way?</p>
<p>Next thing is..... I am pretty sure I can test out of the first two semesters of calc. Would it look better on my transcript if I took calc 2 freshman year (assuming I got the same grade)? It would be a really easy A if I took the normal calc classes but I would rather do the extra work if it meant a better chance at getting accepted as a transfer. </p>
<p>Finally, what other things should I be trying to achieve, (besides 4.0, 2400, 800/800II's)? Right now I'm taking 17 credits first semester. (calc, phys, ethics, english, and a jobs in math seminar type thing), would taking more improve my chances? I really don't have many extracurriculars, I am going to join math club etc while I am there but what other things should I be looking to do? Are there any prestigious freshman math/science competitions I should involve myself in? I would really appreciate any input (especially honest/direct input). Thanks!</p>
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<p>What are you basing this assumption on since you haven’t started college yet?</p>
<p>SAT 2s are knowledge based tests for HS students. You’re in college now, so it’s your coursework counts, there’s no reason to take/retake SAT 2s.</p>
<p>Trying to make a new CB account in order to cover up old scores is dishonest.</p>
<p>=) Thanks for the reply. I feel that I can get into a much better school because I now have a much stronger work ethic, a passion for my academics, an interest in bettering myself, and a much stronger comprehension of nearly every subject I studied. During H.S. My gpa was 1.59 in 9th and a 3.7 in 12th so I feel that I have made many strides and my older academic history will have less influence on a transfer app. </p>
<p>Nearly all of the transfer requirements I checked encouraged students to submit sat II scores so are you sure on that one?</p>
<p>Yes they require SAT 2 scores, selective schools want to know your entire HS and testing history, but how much emphasis they put on any part varies with your situation. The SAT 2s that you want to retake are in Math and English, you will be taking these two subjects at the same or higher levels during your first year in college. Sure you could get higher scores, but at a cost of time and money for tests that are aimed at HS level knowledge. You are much better off spending your time getting top grades in your college coursework.</p>
<p>If you did so bad in HS then how did you get into Purdue? :/</p>
<p>Not sure I mean purdue has like a 70% acceptance rate and I don’t think I applied for a very competitive major. If you want my stats, 2.89 gpa, SAT/II’s are included in OP, recs from my science and precalc teachers both talking about academic improvements, EC’s: math club, math team, rock climbing</p>
<p>According to your HS stats and SAT, I recommend you apply for junior transfer. Admissions officers will still look at your HS records if you apply for transfer during your freshman year.</p>
<p>I am really against spending more than a year at Purdue. Do you have any suggestions on how I could compensate for my weak HS gpa in a college environment? Obviously I know I should get the highest gpa and sat score possible but what else should I be looking to do in order to better my chances?</p>
<p>Was your bad high school gpa focused in a particular subject or area: e.g. English, history, etc? If that is the case, you could try to take harder classes in those areas even if they do not really relate to your major.
This can be particularly risky because those subjects, if it was only a particular area you struggled with, are most likely harder for you to succeed in and if they don’t relate to your major, you may have to take more classes. However, this could help the college look past some of your shortcomings in particular subject areas, in case they are worried that you may struggle with that subject if you later have to or choose to take that class.
In addition, typically the more college credits you have, the less that your high school record matters. I agree with a previous poster that you should wait, but why don’t you give more information on exactly how poor your performance was? High school gpa, performance in certain subjects, types of classes you took, etc.</p>
<p>Okay good idea.</p>
<p>9th - 1.59, </p>
<p>Humanaties A(hist/lit): C
Math: C
Science(intro to physical science): C-
Spanish 1: C
Performing arts: C</p>
<p>10th- 3.33</p>
<p>Humanaties B(hist/lit): A-
Math: B+
Science(biology): A
Spanish 2: B
Performing arts: C+</p>
<p>11th- 3.24, (3.38 weighted)</p>
<p>Honors Lit : A-
Modern US History: B+
Pre-calc: B
Chemistry: B+
Spanish 3: C
Creative Writing: A
Internship/CI: B+</p>
<p>12th- 3.76 UW (idk what it is weighted)
Honors Lit: A-
Human Rights Theory & Practice: A
Calculus(no honors offered): A
Honors Physics: A
Spanish 4: B-
Internship/CI: A
Advanced Topics in Math(elective): A</p>
<p>HS GPA: 3.04</p>