Help! Kinda long (but specific).. looking for more opinions on where to go!

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hey everybody,
I posted yesterday, but unfortunately it was lost. I don’t mind retyping it since the help I got was very good and I appreciate it. So, here’s my situation...</p>

<p>I’m currently a freshman at NYU in the General Studies Program and I’m definitely looking to transfer. Unfortunately, the expectations I came in with have fallen well short of the reality I’m in. I believe most of the problem is credited to GSP. Of the six people that graduated from my high school and went to NYU, five went to Stern and I was left in GSP. I have become very discouraged because I don’t want to be associated with the program at all. I feel as if kids’ parents have bought their admission and its unbelievable how they are even in the school. Here is my high school transcript that basically tells the story of why I am where I am: </p>

<p>Freshman Year GPA: 2.9 (No Accelerated Classes)
Sophomore Year GPA: 4.115 (No Accelerated Classes)
Junior Year GPA: 4.085 (4 Accelerated Classes, 2 AP Classes)
Senior Year GPA: 4.255 (3 Accelerated Classes, 3 AP Classes)
Old SAT Score: 1260 (600 Verbal, 660 Math)
I graduated with six years of science classes and five years in math.
(Grading system at high school: 2.5 C+, 3.0 B, 3.5 B+, 4.0 A, 4.5 A+)
I went to St. Joseph High School (Top 50 Catholic Schools in the nation, all boys, highly competitve)</p>

<p>As you can see, my life has been revolved around improvement thus far. By transferring, I’m hoping to continue this trend. Ever since my dreadful freshman year, school and work have been my life. It has become almost like an obsession because I expect such high things for myself. All day, everyday all I think about is my standing in one class or the next. Honestly, I feel like its debilitating sometimes. Just for the fact that I set such high expectations for myself that they may be unrealistic and when I don’t get there, I feel like I disappointed myself. But, I guess its better to be over motivated than under motivated. Anyway, here are my college stats thus far: </p>

<p>Calculus I A-
Prose Composition I B+
Social Foundations I A
Cultural Foundations I A
16 Credits (3.75 GPA, Dean’s List)</p>

<p>Spring Semester
Economics II
Prose Composition II
Social Foundations II
Cultural Foundations II
Success at College: Thriving at NYU (Only one credit, but I figured any advice they could give me about improving couldn’t hurt. It’s pass/fail as well)
17 Credits (GPA should be in the same range as first semester, if not higher)</p>

<p>In regard to clubs, I was very involved in high school because they were a big part of the school. So, hopefully you can give me the benefit of the doubt here. At NYU, it isn't such a big deal because of the lack of community here, everyone does their own thing. As a result, I haven’t been very involved since the beginning of the year where I did community service projects all over the city. I racked up about 25 hours doing it. Also, I have had two jobs since the beginning of the year (I don’t know if that matters). I work at Best Buy on West. 23rd and 6th Ave and intern at FGI Finance (Faunus Group International) on Wall Street as an Inside Sales Rep.</p>

<p>I want to major in Economics and Mathematics. So, do you think I should just stay put at NYU or take a shot somewhere else. In my previous post, I was told I might have a shot at ivy leagues if I got everything in quickly. If any, I would love Columbia, U Penn, Dartmouth or Brown. Mainly because they’re the only “realistic” ones. My family isn’t the richest so I don’t want to spend $250 in apps at places I don’t stand a shot at so please be brutally honest. If none of these, can you please suggest any other schools that would be better NYU academically (That’s the only factor that matters for me)? Thank you so much for taking the time to read this (if you still are haha) and helping!</p>

2

<p>I don't have any experience in attending the colleges you mentioned but I'm looking to transfer too. You sound interested in school and your major (and you have good stats), but what about your personality? From what I've heard and read some of those schools are very different (i.e. Columbia students vs. Dartmouth students). That might help you (and readers) figure it out.</p>

3

<p>Can you not (or do you just not want to) transfern to NYU's CAS? They have a good econ department and good connections.</p>

4

<p>I can, but not until the end of my sophomore year. Also, GSP doesn't offer summer classes and I have almost no flexibility in my classes. It feels like High School Part 2, I just feel too restricted. I guess wanting to transfer to is another part of my high expectations. Unless I'm at the best school I could get into, I feel like I could do more. So that's what I was asking you guys, am I as high as I'm going to get given my high school stats? </p>

<p>(Also, the personalities of kids don't really matter much to me anyway. I'm very outgoing and friendly, but I don't usually socialize too much because I always feel like I'm not being productive. So, I would say what is your best recommendation for me academically?)</p>

5

<p>In that case, if you want to do Econ & Math and be at the school with the best reputation, I would guess Columbia, UPenn, I heard Harvard for those majors... Obviously reaches for anyone but you sound like you wanna go for it so good luck!</p>

6

<p>I wouldn't even try Harvard haha. But, do you think if I applied to Brown, Dartmouth, Columbia, UPenn or Cornell there's a shot one might take me? (Machine gun theory, if you shoot enough bound to hit once hah)</p>

7

<p>Yeh I think that's a good theory. I'd just be really concerned that, no matter how much you didn't socialize, you'd end up being miserable at one of those schools at least, just because they are so different both in terms of location & atmosphere.</p>

8

<p>Hah, I guess I made myself sound like a hermit. That's not the case at all though, I choose to isolate myself so I can do what I came here to do. Its a real misconception on how great it is to go to NYU and the enviornment you're in. It's very expensive, you shop at the same stores as Wall Street brokers and we lack anything close to a campus. I mean its great to be in the heart of Manhattan, but I feel like it is too much of a struggle financially for me. Most kids it isn't because they are wealthy. That's why I was concerned on the money for those ivy applications, but if you think I should go for it then I will. I heard getting the applications out as soon as possible will help my chances, is that true?</p>

9

<p>I don't know if it's true. Certainly, some schools give more 'points' for showing interest. Sometimes they even say this on their website (for example, Stanford says specifically they <em>don't</em> give extra points for this). I know what you mean about wanting to be able to study though. But having the passion in your essays will always be more important than being able to go on 5 tours etc. You say NYU is expensive but Columbia is going to be as well! Even if they give you more aid (tough for transfers) & the neighborhood is quieter you still have to pay for stuff like food & movies that are expensive (one of the reasons I'm glad I didn't go to NYU in the end). I think Columbia, UPenn and Cornell sound like good schools for you. Are you competitive? You say you're outgoing so would find it easy to make friends but what kind of friends do you really want? At the end of the day, you won't lose much by applying (except some money & pride maybe, lol. Same for me tho.).</p>

10

<p>Oh yeah-- I would not have a problem making friends, I never did. When my grades were terrible in high school, I was TOO social. So, that part of my personality is definitely developed.
As for my competitiveness, that is just as much a part of me as well. Like before, when I wasn't doing so hot, I played sports and it probably got more attention then deserved. I had two varsity letters in high school. Also, both of my jobs right now are in sales, which are based off competition.
But, yeah I'll try anyway. As long of a shot as it may be and you're right the worst that could happen is I don't get in, I could always try again at the end of sophomore year. If I have a family member (cousin) who got her PhD at Columbia and family friend who got his MBA there, should I ask them for letters or would that not even matter?</p>

11

<p>I like your term "Machine Gun theory." That thing killed me last year. But it seems like you have a pretty decent GPA and upward trend in HS so I'd think you would get into at least one.</p>

12

<p>what happened to you last year?</p>

13

<p>Transfer applications are a little different to regular ones. If Columbia asks for a peer recommendation then yes, definitely. Sometimes they specifically say on the website or paper application that they do not want extra materials, as it slows down the process. So it totally depends on the school. Would you still be ok living in NYC? Just cos of that Columbia is likely to have many wealthy students. But I can see you at Cornell, UPenn etc.</p>

14

<p>In regards to your concern about wasting money on apps- If you keep up your good grades at NYU, you will be a competetive applicant to most schools. Right now, your SAT score is on the low side for these schools since. Next year it won't hurt you. But, if you want to get out this year, I would highly suggest UChicago. You will find a lot of kids there who are equally as concerned with their work all the time and with their 30 (?) percent accept rate, that is probably your most likely bet for getting the education/name you are looking for this year. I would say Cornell is another possibility for you if you are looking to get out this year. Past that, choose maybe another one or two of your favorite reaches and go for it.</p>

15

<p>I concur. ;)</p>

16

<p>I applied to like 8 really prestigious schools including all Ivy schools (minus Brown and Cornell) and got rejected by all of them.</p>

17

<p>wow green. i just looked at your past posts and stats and you got royally screwed ..your marks are excellent. r u in college now? if so .. how did you do? i can't understand why you wouldn't get in</p>

18

<p>One problem is that NYU actually has one of the best departments for both applied mathematics and economics. </p>

<p>And a lot of schools want to see academic reasons for transfering, not just prestige climbing.</p>

19

<p>I think U Chicago sounds like a great place, a good change for you. The atmosphere there may not be to your liking though; the students are just too studious. Seriously.</p>

<p>Have you considered Macalester? From the Macalester web site "The Macalester College Economics Department has recently been ranked seventh among top liberal arts colleges based on the research produced by its faculty To see the rankings report, compiled under the direction of Claremont McKenna economics professor Marc Weidenmier, visit the CMC website at <a href="http://econ.claremontmckenna.edu/rankings.pdf"&gt;http://econ.claremontmckenna.edu/rankings.pdf&lt;/a&gt;"&lt;/p>

<p>People who live in Chicago and ESPECIALLY in St Paul, where Macalester is, would have no trouble understanding someone living in NYC is just not for them. They would not be mystified by you wanting to leave NYU even though NYU has a great economics program.</p>

<p>Although in St. Paul, Macalester is about half way between downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul, with easy access to both. The Twin Cities in Minnesota are a great place to live; generally young, lively, beautiful lakes and trails. Mac is also close to the main University of Minnesota campus, again giving you access to a great college environment. And really, it is not that cold.</p>

20

<p>JJG, while I'd consider Macalester to have a top-notch Econ department, I wouldn't use those rankings. Check them out and you'll see that they were compiled by a Claremont McKenna professor and, coincidentally, CMC came out on top in both categories. :rolleyes: </p>

<p>So yeah, I wouldn't consider those rankings reputable.</p>