<p>Hi,
I am a sophomore at a top 10 LAC in the New England regions. I have a full-ride here.</p>
<p>I am very interested in biology and biomedical research and things of such nature. I believe the nature of an LAC restricts me from getting involved in such opportunities.</p>
<p>I have done research through a very prestigious program last summer (07). I presented my research at several national conferences.</p>
<p>I currently have a GPA > 3.6.
Mediocre SATs. Didn't take SAT IIs.
Good high school GPA. I just did 2 years at this American high school. Before that, I studied in a school foreign to my home country. As a consequence, I speak 5 languages (and will be learning a new one shortly).</p>
<p>My ECs: I am the President of the Pre-Med Club. I am on various boards and I play in an ensemble. etc etc.</p>
<p>My essay should be fine. My recs, too.</p>
<p>Do you think I should apply to these schools and what are my chances and also what are my chances of getting good fin aid (sans loans)?</p>
<p>Also, are there ways to get application waivers for these schools? </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Given your mediocre GPA/SATs and what you described as 'fine' recommendations, it's going to be an uphill battle with little chance of success. There are many students with higher GPAs and SATs who also have stellar recommendations, so be sure your essay speaks volumes. Financial aid would be problematic as well, as little of it is allocated for transfers. In any event, if you can spare the application fees, I say go for it.</p>
<p>hmm, tough situation. i'd say its possible but your essays, reasons for transfer need to be airtight! have you taken any classes that would be considered "core" for the program you are applying to?</p>
<p>No, don't bother. Stanford accepted only 20/1400 transfer applicants last year= less than 2% chance of acceptance. If you didn't have the grades and stats to get in as a freshman, then realistically you have even less of a chance now. Save your $.</p>
<p>do it, you have a better chance than most of the other applicants I've seen on these boards.</p>
<p>Stanford might be pushing it but you have a realistic shot at Harvard as they seem to be a bit less interested in numbers and have more of a holistic approach.</p>
<p>Personally I don't see why you would even consider giving up a full ride at a top LAC. Any top LAC should give you a good enough premed education. From your description, I'm surprised that you got the good deal that you did.</p>
<p>Just to clarify:
My current college science GPA is 3.9.
My college does not require SATs, so I took it after sophomore year in high school (by mediocre, I mean above >600).
I had excellent ECs in high school (too many)-eg: piano from Trinity College, London. Stanford Science Bowl. Science Club etc just too many..
My letters of recommendation should be very good since one of them has recommended me for the Goldwater scholarship and one of them wrote a letter for me to apply to the summer research prog. last yr.</p>
<p>Some of the courses I have taken: Bio, Chem, Orgo, genetics/molec. biology. Will be starting Independent study. Did an advanced Independent study in French last semester.</p>
<p>Why don't you take the SAT's again? They no doubt will be much higher than in your sophomore year, and doing well on them could possibly remove a barrier to your ability to transfer. Just a thought.</p>
<p>The SATs weigh about 10 %. I had sub 650 on verbal and made it into Stanford. There was a girl who transferred to Harvard with 1260 (old SATs).
It's about GPA, essays, and recs saying that you are one of a kind mostly.</p>
<p>You should definitely apply.</p>