<p>I have an abysmal high school record (2.2 GPA). I honestly just didn't try and got caught up with the wrong people, which didn't help. I have a 3.81 undergraduate GPA at a top 50 school in Chemical Engineering. My SAT is 2350. I've also received 5s on multiple AP exams and 700+ on multiple SAT subject tests. I'm looking to transfer to Penn for engineering. What are the chances that I will be accepted, given a poor HS record?</p>
<p>What year are you planning on transferring into? Also, do you have any kind of extenuating circumstances for your poor HS GPA? If not, it will be kind of a tough sell.</p>
<p>I’m planning to transfer in as a junior. I don’t have any kind of extenuating circumstances for my poor HS GPA. Does Penn only take transfer students who did very well in high school AND in college?</p>
<p>Would a school like Cornell be more within my reach?</p>
<p>No, Cornell is a peer school to UPENN. That being said, the chance of getting into UPenn or Cornell for that matter is virtually 0%, even if you have strong connections to the school itself. Think about it, school like UPenn or Cornell are reluctant to even admit outstanding applicant with 3.5s, so what is a good reason to accept you over them?</p>
<p>Why don’t you look at top 50-100 schools within the nation? I think they might even give high merit aid for your amazing SATs.</p>
<p>Your situation is not typical and while it’s unlikely that Penn will accept you, you may be able to build a convincing case for them to take you. Do you have a strong advocate for the transfer at you current college? Have you compelling research? Etc.</p>
<p>@CollegeGoer789, the OP has a 3.8 in chemical engineering. That is much more significant than a similar GPA in high school. The reason high school grades are important is because admissions can use them to predict how an applicant would do at Penn. I think the OPs success in college means much more than their shortcomings in high school but I do not know how Penn admissions usually views this type of situation.</p>
<p>What other top 50 schools would be more forgiving, if I don’t have a chance at Penn for undergrad?</p>
<p>Your chance is 0% if you don’t try at all so based on the odds you’ve been given here, there is no reason not to try. Talk to admissions first though.</p>
<p>You should also have a compelling reason for your transfer. Specifically, what does Penn engineering have that your current program does not that would allow you to pursue your goals? If you can come up with a compelling answer for that and effectively communicate it in your essays, I think you have a good shot with your stats.</p>
<p>I’ll definitely try applying and contacting admissions regarding this matter.</p>
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<p>I assume that is freshman grade? Are you in a junior college? Have you taken any engineering classes yet? I am just baffled which engineering school would accept someone with a 2.2 transcript.</p>
<p>I took college classes while I was a junior and senior in high school to redeem myself and had a stellar essay and lots of meaningful ECs. I was lucky enough to get into a top 50. Plus, my SAT score helped me a lot. I was accepted into engineering school and have taken chem up to physical chemistry. I also have a handful of ChemE-only engineering courses under my belt. I was lucky once, so why not follow my dream and give Penn a shot?</p>
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<p>But you still ended up with HS GPA of 2.2?
I am a bit confused but hopefully Penn admissions can understand your reasoning a bit better than I.
Good luck.</p>
<p>I think you have a shot. A 3.8 in Chemical Engineering is extremely impressive (physical chem is the devil’s work), and you crushed your SATs. However, you need to have a compelling reason to transfer to Penn/Cornell, other than a bump in prestige, which is what it sounds like to be honest. Also, a disclaimer explaining your poor performance in high school wouldn’t hurt. Schools like to see improvement. You may have not been the best student in HS, but you brought your A game in college and are capable in a college engineering environment. It’s really going to come down to your ECs, LORs, and essays though. </p>