<p>I'm pretty well aware of the transfer admission rates for these schools, but the more I look at it, the more I realize how outrageous it all really is. Am I seeing this right? Is this the order of relative "ease" to transfer into these schools, from easiest to hardest.</p>
<p>University of Pennsylvania
Brown
Dartmouth
Harvard
Cornell
Columbia
Yale</p>
<p>It's just that I really like Cornell and Columbia and will be applying to both of them, but do I honestly have a better shot at Harvard or Dartmouth?</p>
<p>lol no i'm serious...i'm seriously rethinking my current "reach" schools. I mean, I LOVE Columbia (2nd favorite) but really, if it's that hard, I don't see why I shouldn't save it for graduate school and take a stab at Harvard or Dartmouth. Same goes for Cornell...it seems like I thought of a really bad time to be interested in Cornell b/c of the guaranteed transfers.</p>
<p>Can anyone else confirm that ranking...is that accurate?</p>
<p>what's wrong with texans? (they are republicans? and their political views may conflict with those of the democrats up north?)
i don't understand</p>
<p>I don't think being from Texas has anything to do about it. Last year in my graduating class in HS 3 of my peers got accepted to Harvard: all of them naturally Texan. Also keep in mind that the majority of the top students of my school are not Texan and actually most are from different countries. </p>
<p>In response to brand's post, I would apply to whatever university you feel would offer you the most in terms of academics, social life, and overall atmosphere. So what if Columbia may be harder to transfer into than Harvard; the rates for these change fluctuate every year. Just apply to the schools you really want to attend and hope for the best.</p>
<p>Here's my perception of the difficulty, but it changes every year. My advice is to not go to Columbia as a transfer. Its socially VERY oriented towards the first year and I social integration is tough. Dartmouth, conversely, treats transfers wonderfully. Cornell is known for taking lots of transfers.</p>
<p>Cornell
University of Pennsylvania/ Brown
Dartmouth/ Columbia
Harvard
Yale</p>
<p>unfortunately i'd be applying to columbia college. Like I said, Columbia has been my favorite for a long time (until I found Chicago) but I really wanted to give it a shot...I think slipper's post is very helpful. As much as I really want to give that school a shot, would I really want to go there if I was accepted after what I've heard numerous times about how transfers don't really "fit in." It's just hard for me to scratch off. </p>
<p>lol I really don't think being a Texan has anything to do with my school choices...I'm a liberal and the only school I'm applying to in my state is UT, if that says anything. </p>
<p>Slipper - that post was very helpful...I was unaware that Dartmouth is so transfer friendly. Cornell is also obviously friendly b/c it takes a lot of transfers, but given the GTs it seems like it would be more practical to save Cornell for one of the grad schools I look into.</p>
<p>Thank yall for the replies so far...it's just helping me clear my mind a bit. I'm going to look into Dartmouth, do the hardest thing for me to do (scratch off Columbia), apply to Penn and Brown for sure, and consider dropping Cornell. </p>
<p>I'm just trying to be practical in my decisions so it helps to get info on what general chances really are for these very competitive schools.</p>
<p>I would honestly keep Cornell, in spite of GTs (which are mostly in the CAS), Cornell makes plenty of room for other transfers. I've known alot of people who have had success there.</p>
<p>Columbia is a great place, but as someone who went there for grad school i think as a transfer you'll be much happier at Dartmouth as an undergrad transfer. Dartmouth gives transfers an advisor, engages them in orientation within the first year orientation (so you get to know that class too), you have sophomore summer to meet your class (and the "re-orientation trips then!), the quarter system allows for multiple study abroads even as a transfer, if you are into the frat scene rush is sophomore year (!), the community is small enough so you meet people fast, etc.</p>
<p>On the other hand Columbia doesn't even truly offer dining for second years. That said, if community doesn't matter that much to you and you are more of an urban type of person Columbia would be a great choice in spite of the lack of a first-year there. Columbia and Dartmouth are very different schools.</p>
<p>I would say Penn, Brown, Dartmouth, and Cornell are "must applies" with perhaps Columbia added if its lack of a community for transfers isn't a real issue.</p>
<p>slipper - thanks...i've marked columbia off the list...very hard thing to do, but I would rather truly enjoy my undergrad years and then start fresh in grad school if given the chance.</p>
<p>So most of the GTs go to CAS huh? Lol...ok, we all need to come to a consensus b/c I'm completely confused. When I first looked into Cornell, I wanted to apply to AEM, but everyone said that since CALS is "part-public" in a sense, GTs get in there moreso than CAS. So now I plan on applying to CAS for Econ, but honestly I don't care...I would be happy with either major, but more importantly I'd be happiest applying to the school where I have the best chance. So would that be CAS or CALS?</p>
<p>I hate being an ivy-whore. I'm definitely applying to Brown and Penn, and I'm really wanting to keep Cornell but not sure yet. I looked into Dartmouth and I can't put my finger on it, but for some reason I'm just not crazy a/b the school so I probably won't apply. I only want so many huge reaches. That only leaves one...Harvard. I guess it's going to be between Harvard and Cornell, and I'll probably choose Cornell because I like it so much more. </p>
<p>But I'm still torn because it seems like Cornell is HARDER to get accepted into as a transfer than Harvard...which is insanity.</p>
<p>actually, your sorta right, cornell is a bit tougher to get into... and they are also less generous (average loan is 10 gs while harvard is like 3 gs but families with incomes below 80,000 get in free :)) so if you want to save money, dont apply to cornell and just apply to the harvard or something!</p>
<p>as you have seen, getting admitted to Cornell can be much more difficult than people make it out to be. Both CAS econ and AEM are very tough majors to transfer into, though i think AEM will be the easier of the two. </p>
<p>I'd aim for at bare minimum a 3.5 GPA. I'm sure you've noticed some seemingly overqualified people be rejected from Cornell as a transfer while other with lesser stats were admitted. This shows you that Cornell recognizes that either student would succeed, but they try to admit students who would be a better fit for the university. Work hard and make your application essays perfect (really, perfect). Spend alot of time on them and have multiple people review them. They can make you or break you when it comes to Cornell. </p>
<p>Also, apply to schools based more on fit rather than ivy-prestige. No two ivys are alike and be aware of what you're getting into as you apply. The smart admissions officer will be able to see if you're applying because of the name or because it's truly a great school that will fit your needs.</p>
<p>Slipper, i dont know if it was mentioned on this threat but a lot of the accepted people who were transfers were part of the "guaranteed transfer" students who applied as freshman but were waitlisted and offered that option. If you are not in the guaranteed transfers program, your chances are really slim</p>