<p>I'm a high school senior, my record is very average, and I didn't get into my top choice colleges. If I go to one of my safety schools, I'd want to at least consider transferring out after one or two years. </p>
<p>The problem is, I don't really know anything about transfer admissions. I know I probably sound like an idiot talking about transferring before I even decided where I'm going to go to college, but I really don't want to make the same mistake I did in high school. That mistake is not being prepared and not understanding the process of admissions.</p>
<p>What should I do to prepare to be an attractive transfer applicant? I know its a very broad question, but I'd really appreciate any input.</p>
<p>You don't sound like an idiot; many people (including myself) had the same plan. I would suggest browsing all the sticky threads and featured discussions on this forum to get a broad overview of how transferring differs from freshman admissions. You're still in HS, so you'll gradually learn how it works over the next few months.</p>
<p>Read around the forum, you wil find every general question you have, the rest just ask....</p>
<p>Only advice I would give is
1. Do not get complacent or lazy
2. Figure what school you will like to attend, see the courses needed for your major, and follow courses that are along the line of your transfer school
3. Keep your GPA as high as possible</p>
<p>I don't really know how high I should aim though. </p>
<p>Let's say hypothetically I keep a 3.8-4.0 GPA, with my HS stats (92 AVG, top 25%, 1850 SAT), and without anything to really separate me from the crowd, what colleges could I realistically consider to transfer to?</p>
<p>Also, I noticed colleges require the SAT for transfers, so should I consider retaking it and trying for 2000+? What about subject tests?</p>
<p>Yea retake them, or try the ACT w.e you want, and the SKY is the limit in your choices, I cant pick where to go before you even start, you just need to try your hardest to get to the place you most want to reach</p>
<p>Read the Transfer Admissions 101 thread and follow the excellent advice so far, especially #2 in CCG's post #3. And the advice in Transfer Admissions 101 about getting to know two profs well enough for good recommendations.</p>
<p>Don't worry about how high to aim at this point. Enjoy your first term at the school you will attend. Get involved. Do well. Come back at the end of your first term. If you still want to transfer, that will be plenty of time to figure all of this out.</p>
<p>Even though this forum is full of the info you need, don't get too involved in it right now. Read the "TA 101" thread, browse a bit more. You don't want to get transfer-obsessed.</p>
<p>We can help you figure out a good slate of transfer schools (safe/match/reach) after you have a term under your belt.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice.. the transfer sticky has been very helpful from what I've read so far.</p>
<p>I just really want to get a general idea of how transfer admissions works so that I can formulate a plan and make goals for myself ahead of time. That way, even if I decide not to transfer, I'll be involved at my college and be doing well academically.</p>
<p>A little more advice...if you read through the transfer threads, you see a lot of this:</p>
<p>What are my chances?
College GPA: 3.3 (I was bummed about not getting into my first choice, so I didn't really put a lot into studying. Now I'm hoping it doesn't ruin my chances!)</p>
<p>Answer: Eh..you have a good shot with your HS stats...but that GPA kinda messes you up. ____'s average GPA is a 3.6 for transfers.</p>
<p>See what I'm saying? I see it all the time around here. Just giving you a heads up.</p>
<p>Some kids who don't get into their top choices as freshmen seem to get "stuck" on absolutely-positively having to get into that school the second time around.</p>
<p>A few who were not accepted as freshmen are accepted as transfers. But it is more common to miss out twice in the most selective schools. So, if you are aiming at top selectivity, keep an open mind. </p>
<p>Try again if you want, but have your eyes open. Know that it might have just been luck of the draw that had you lose out the first time, but it may be that the school is just looking for a different fit. So use your first school to not only pursue (or figure out) your interests academically but also to learn more about what you do and don't want in a college. You may decide the school you are attending is way better for you than you thought it would be. If not, you may come up with a whole different list of schools for transfer than what you had for freshman apps.</p>
<p>You sound like you are thinking about this in a very sensible way. I think it will work out for you one way or the other if you keep that frame of mind.</p>