help! transferring to dream school, possible?

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I need some help. I was recently rejected from most of my schools I applied to. It is a particularly stressful time in my family, for my mom just lost her job. I was accepted into Santa Clara University, San Francisco State University, and Cal State Long Beach. Unfortunately, none of these schools were my top choice. </p>

<p>I am determined to transfer into a school that I am in love with, because I want to be more than satisfied with my college experience. I know i will be happy at any school, but it is my goal to end up somewhere that I really want to go. </p>

<p>Money is an issue. We have little of it, and since she recently lost her job, the schools will not give us aid. Santa Clara University being the most expensive, and the other state schools rivaling each other financially. </p>

<p>I know in the end I want to transfer after two years. Although, I have no idea which would be the better school to transfer from. </p>

<p>Do colleges like it better when your going to a private school or a public school? Should i go to community college to streamline the process or is community college less desireable than transferring from a four year institution? </p>

<p>To help you out, here are my stats. Let me tell you I did not do that well in high school for exterior reasons for which I will not name here.</p>

<p>H.S. gpa: 3.35
SAT I: 1670
SAT II: 470 Hist, 520 MathI
Recs: Excellent
ECs: Theater (over 30 shows: regional; children's theatre; school), voice-singing awards, photography, student newspaper, active in club against discrimination, over 200hrs of community service. </p>

<p>I was distracted during high school and did not focus on my school work. I know if I apply myself I will get a 4.0 in college, I do not doubt that. But, I want to know what school is best for transferring to a major university, such as nyu or columbia. </p>

<p>I am taking a test a day over the summer, and working with a tutor to improve my SAT score, just because I do not think I took it seriously. </p>

<p>This is getting rather long and probably confusing, let me briefly summarize my question:</p>

<p>Should I go to community college, state school, or a private school? Which is easier to transfer from? </p>

<p>What are my chances, if I get a 4.0 in college and improve my SAT score drastically, in transferring to schools like Yale, Columbia, Harvard etc... as well as schools like NYU, UCLA, USC? </p>

<p>Also, when I decide where I'm going what steps should I take? I will continue doing community service, theater, and voice, but is there anything I'm missing? </p>

<p>I have overcome a lot in my life and I am hoping to redeem myself in my first two years of college, so that I may attend a dream school, and ultimately give back to the community. I hope these are not just pipe dreams. In the long run I want to be a lawyer, can this be accomplished at a school like Columbia or Yale? Lastly, I want to show my sincere gratitude for those who take the time to read this and help me with my situation. </p>

<p>Thanks Again,
colegePLEASE</p>

2

<p>.........?</p>

3

<p>If you really want to go to UCLA, go to community college. Otherwise, i don't think it matters too much where you go as long as you keep a high GPA, retake SATs, and continue with your current EC's. However, keep in mind that schools like columbia, yale, harvard, etc... will put heavy weight on your hs record if you are a sophomore transfer.</p>

4

<p>go to CC in california.. and get 4.0... or 3.8 higher..</p>

<p>about 40% of CC people went to UCLA in 2006....</p>

<p>and since you are applying as sophomore transfer, you need to boost your SAT somehow..</p>

<p>If you really hate to take SAT, then stay in CC until 2nd year and then junior transfer to UCLA... that's the only way..</p>

5

<p>I was in the same boat as you coming out of HS, so my parents made me go to a California Community College. I busted my butt to finish in 2 years (intersession & summer school every year), but a lot of kids around me didn't care to finish that fast. If you're serious, try to get into the Honors program and make your counselor your "bff". IF YOU REALLY ARE SERIOUS. (and sorry to burst the bubble, but, I also had the same "determination" to do EXTREMELY well in college, but the fact is that most kids who got less than a 3.6 in HS don't get a 4.0 in CC...) 2 years goes by fast, and CC gives you a lot of time to "figure out who you are".........The "second time around" admissions process is killing me (I applied to about half of your "dream schools" + smaller private schools). If by chance I get accepted, then who knows if I will appreciate my time at CC....but, RIGHT NOW, if I had to do it all over again, I would have accepted my admission to the smaller private college that I got into out of HS (without hesitation). Santa Clara is a great school.</p>

6

<p>well, i got a 3.8 last semester of high school, just my accumulated is low. From what I've read I get the message that I should just stick it out in community college for two years, retake my SAT, and get to know my counselor really well. </p>

<p>I just got a letter from columbia today telling me that they have no policy on retaking the SAT, but if I feel I should retake it, then I should retake it. </p>

<p>Also, how hard do college admissions look at your HS gpa and SAT scores when evaluating transfer admission?</p>

7

<p>also, does every community college have a honors program?</p>

8

<p>so really, colleges don't look at your institution, just you grades when evaluating you for transfer admission?</p>

9

<p>..........?</p>

10

<p>bumpbumpbump</p>

11

<p>bumpbump anyone?</p>

12

<p>sorry i keep bumping this.</p>

13

<p>bumpbumpbump</p>

14

<p>No, they will look at your institution.</p>

15

<p>not to be rude, but have some patience. there isn't a need to bump every 15 minutes. if someone can and wants to answer your question, they will. Anyways, like cavs said, they will look at your transfer institution, but I really don't think it has a lot of weight compared to your numbers, EC's, etc.</p>

16

<p>ok thanks, sorry bout that, Im new at this.</p>

17

<p>Jimmy I think you're wrong to a degree. A student at a Top 30 LAC or National University has already been acclimated to the pressure and rigor of a top curriculum, and if they have proved they can succeed in this environment then the college is more inclined to take a "gamble" per say on this student.</p>

18

<p>how do you know what is a top LAC?</p>

19

<p>google it - Top U.S universities rankings</p>

<p>there is one specifically titled "TOP liberal arts colleges"</p>

<p>you are going to have to do a lot of research for yourself, no one is going to be able to answer all of your questions.</p>

<p>I would start with doing well in college and go from there - your SAT scores are definitely on the low side - although college transfers may not look at that with that much weight when you are transferring as a junior. I would say that Ivy league perhaps would be a big reach as they normally look at your overall profile, but I would say a top 30 national university is achievable as long as you do well in college</p>

20

<p>If you're applying after one year, they will weigh your HS GPA more.</p>

<p>If you completed two years, they will weigh your college GPA more.</p>

<p>Simple.</p>