General Transfer Questions

Transfer Students
1

<p>Right now I'm a pre-frosh at Rutgers University in New Brunswick (School of Arts and Sciences). (I'm also a NJ resident).</p>

<p>RU was the only school I was accepted to out of the 10 schools I applied to. This was probably due to a combination of poor college selections (pretty much every school was a top ten liberal arts or Ivy school) and mediocre high school achievements (3.7 unweighted GPA; 2160 SATs). </p>

<p>While I'm entering RU with an open mind, transferring out seems like an increasingly viable option. Although I think RU is a fine school, my teachers, peers, family (and recently myself) have all speculated that I have the potential to be in a much better school. I attended a highly ranked HS, took a total of 7 AP courses (4's and 5's with some results still pending), and have numerous writing accolades.</p>

<p>Right now, I'm just very confused and uncertain about where I want my future to go, and where-- practically-- it is capable of going. I know I haven't even begun my experience at RU, but I want to know what my options look like going in. So, I'd like to know:</p>

<p>1) Whether or not transferring would make any significant difference to my future job opportunities.
2) Whether or not transferring to a better school would impact which graduate schools I get into.
2) When I should apply for a transfer.
3) Where else (besides CC) I can find advice about transferring.</p>

<p>Just some additional notes: I'm hesitant to transfer to another school if it becomes necessary to attend RU for more than two semesters. If I do not transfer to better university, I would ideally like to graduate in three years and then attend a prominent graduate school. I'm also wary about entering the RU Honors program in the future in case it prolongs my stay at RU-- but that's a whole separate issue.</p>

<p>I just wanted to put this out there, because it's a great burden off my chest. Thanks for any responses to this.</p>

2

<p>1) if you mean do jobs take into consideration the fact that you transferred, then no
2) it very well could, but ru is not a bad school
3) depends on where you want to transfer to</p>

3

<p>I was in the exact same position as you. I applied to many schools, mostly ultra-selective and safeties that had easy apps (yes, I was stupid.) I ended up getting into UCLA, which is not bad at all, though I was still disappointed in not getting into Dartmouth, my number 1 choice. I ended up attending UCLA with an open mind, had an awesome time, but still applied to transfer because of a number of reasons. So, I think you are doing the right thing going into Rutgers with an open mind. Just apply and you can decide at the end if you want to stay or not. I don't regret the process at all.</p>

<p>1) Whether or not transferring would make any significant difference to my future job opportunities.
- Depends on what you want to go into, but for banking and consulting, the higher up your school, the higher your chances of landing an interview. For most other jobs, I don't think your school matters too much.</p>

<p>2) Whether or not transferring to a better school would impact which graduate schools I get into.
- I don't know much about grad school admissions, but I am assuming it is based on GPA, GRE, essays, recs, etc.. in which case, your school shouldn't matter too much.</p>

<p>3) When I should apply for a transfer.
- If you don't want to stay for more than two semesters, then get ready to apply this year. The deadlines depend on the school. From what I've noticed, a lot of schools are due March 1.</p>

<p>4) Where else (besides CC) I can find advice about transferring.
- Nowhere else that I know of. This is a probably the best place to find information about transferring.</p>

4

<p>Good questions, Julia. And helpful responses so far.</p>

<p>Re effect of transfer on job prospects: if you are worried that having transferred will look wishy-washy and/or having 2 schools on your resume will be a negative... No, it won't. Your job apps will really focus on your ultimate school; your original school will likely not even be mentioned on your resume (unless you want it to). The above poster is correct that some fields really hire on elite name recognition, so if you are headed for those fields, the school you go to could have an effect. If you are, I would check Rutgers' Career Services office to see what type of track record RU has in the job categories/employers of interest to you.</p>

<p>Impact on grad school apps: hard to know without further info. Remember that Rutgers, in fact, is a highly respected school. A lot depends on the grad school field. Take a look at the Grad School admissions board here on cc - lots of great info on that board, especially the thread "Grad School Admissions 101." In general, I would say that doing well at RU and having strong relationships with/recs from profs in your field will be just as valuable as the same from a name school. Being at the top of the heap at RU in terms of GPA/prof relationships could be better than being "one of the pack" at a more elite school.</p>

<p>When should you apply: As said above, March 1/15 are the most typical deadlines (see below). With this in mind, I strongly, strongly recommend that you put thoughts of transfer fully aside until semester break. That will be plenty of time to put together top quality applications if you decide to transfer. It will also allow you to give RU a fair, fighting chance and to have a great first term. Don't allow yourself to sit on the sidelines. It's not fair to yourself. All you have to do wrt to transfer during those first months is what I bet you will do anyway - do well academically, find a way to get to know two profs well enough to get good recommendations (Honors College may be a vehicle for this, btw), enjoy yourself and <em>most important</em> take a strong schedule of courses (also see below).</p>

<p>Where else can you learn about transfer: probably the only thing you need do is visit the websites of a few schools that interest you. They have Transfer Admissions sections and that will tell you all you need to know. Their deadlines, what they expect, what they evaluate in transfer admissions. Then visit the academic program sections for major(s) of interest to you. Pay close attention to what the recommended coursework is for freshman in your intended major at your target schools. Choose your first year courses at RU to come as close to this as possible (note, this is much more important for some majors than others - eg, Engineering; but worth consideration for all).</p>

<p>Re RU Honors program: Not sure why you want to hurry through RU. Maybe money is an issue? If not, you only live once :); don't rush :) (just my personal opinion). Be aware, as you think all of this through, that a transfer app from a student at Rutgers in the Honors program may be a stronger app than from one who is not. On that basis, were it me, I would definitely choose the Honors program.</p>