How hard would it be to transfer from Vanderbilt to Duke?

<p>Its a long story, but please read....</p>

<p>I live in TX, & I applied to 4 schools, Duke, Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, University of Texas in Austin. Most of family lives on the east coast, so I dont want to go to UT, and Georgia Tech doesnt really have the majors i'm interested in (because more likely than not, im not going to major in anything to do with engineering), so I dont want to attend. (On top of that, out-of state fees are extremely high)</p>

<p>My top 2 college choices were Duke and Vanderbilt, & I was accepted into Vanderbilt but rejected from Duke. During the whole application process I was very stressed out from school, and I felt that I couldve done more in each application. I didnt do most of the optional essays, and I took the ACT only once, and I never took the SAT. My senior year of high school has been so busy that I was unable to put together my best applications possible, which is why I think I was not accepted. Duke has always been my dream school, especially because almost all of family lives in North Carolina, except for me, ironically (I live in Houston TX). I wanted to be close to my family, and just as important, to play sports in college. I run track, but Vanderbilt does not have a men's varsity track team. They have intramural track, however, I would not be able to receive any scholarship $ for track from intramurals. I have the abililty to run track in college, or at least be a walk-on and eventually earn $ from a scholarship. Sports have been a big part of my life, & ive always wanted to run track in college. If I were able to do this, I would be able to pay for most of the remaining difference b/w my financial aid grant & the total cost of attendance. Again, because Vanderbilt does not have a track team, I am unable to do this; however, if I were to transfer to Duke, I'd be able to run track and be able to pay for most of the cost of college at the same time.</p>

<p>So I was wondering, how difficult would it be to transfer to Duke from Vanderbilt? I feel that if I could get into Vandy, I ought to have a chance in getting into Duke as a transfer. I would plan to transfer at the end of my freshman year and be admitted to Duke as a sophomore for Fall 2011. If I were to maintain at least a 3.5 GPA at Vanderbilt, what do you think my chances would be at being accepted as a transfer? Would my GPA have to be much higher? Like around 3.8+ ? Any advice is greatly appreciated</p>

<p>getting a high gpa from vandy will help you be a competitive transfer applicant. i’d aim for a 3.7+ and really work on those essays. don’t just repeat what you said from freshman admissions. good luck!</p>

<p>Vanderbilt’s a great school man, so try to enjoy your year there. Your concerns are legitimate though, so I’d recommend that you maintain around a 3.7+ in your freshman year at Vandy, and articulate your reasons for wanting to transfer to Duke as best as possible in your essays. Keep in mind though that Duke only accepts like 5% of transfer applicants.</p>