I fear I may not get in ANYWHERE

Transfer Students
1

<p>I thought I did really well in college but after reading some of the grades you guys have I feel very discouraged. I am not a 1400/3.9-4.0 student, but I have done well. Here are my credentials and the schools I am applying to, please tell me what you think very honestly.</p>

<p>Cornell
WashU
NYU
Mich-Ross
Northwestern
G'town
Maryland-College Park
Illinois UC
UNC CH
Carnegie Mellon
Chicago</p>

<p>HS: 85 avg, many honor courses, 3 AP's but all 1's, 1250/1600 SAT, very inconsistent performance in HS</p>

<p>College: a descent 4 year school, 3.65 gpa, tough classes (Calc,physics,eco,fnc,business,fl,eng,etc)</p>

<p>EC: student teacher, volunteer at a rehab 3 times, black belt in Martial arts, several rec basketball leagues, some minor employment, and a current job I will start next month.</p>

<p>Awards: many honor rolls, black belt, mvp, Dean's list, invitation to tutor students</p>

<p>My essays are pretty good I'm sure, well I think, but I have 2 good recs and my gpa seems to be above average and more than what they ask for. My hs grades are bad I know but I would think a 3.65 would get me in, but after reading what you guys have I am not too sure, my safe schools look like UIUC and Md, let me know what you think.</p>

2

<p>That's like $600 spent on applications! If you haven't already applied I suggest you shorten it a bit. As for your chances, I really feel that as some of the other applcants have a little better stats, you can make up the difference by writing superb essays. Good Luck!</p>

3

<p>Yea I'll feel really stupid if I get rejected everywhere, this is very discouraging considering I thought I would get in so many schools b/c on tehir website they want around a 3.5. Cornell wants a 3.3-4 and the counselor says i have a great shot. Michigan's avg gpa is 3.6 and MD doesn't even need an essay, so I'm not sure why I see people here with 3.9 gpa's getting rejected by these schools.</p>

4

<p>If you are not happy to stay at your current school, you need to add some safer schools to your list. then you will not need to fear batting zero. You might get into one or more of your current schools, but they are very selective. Get some safeties onto your list.</p>

<p>And (wrt your other thread), do NOT embellish your applications. You can find your admissions rescinded if that is discovered. Very poor strategy.</p>

<p>The fact that a school asks for a minimum GPA of 3.3 or 3.5 or whatever, and that you have such GPA, is only a qualifying factor. It by no means you will get in or even that you have a good chance. There are numerous other elements in the mix. Including your recs, your hs record, your essays and the believability of what you have included in your applic.</p>

5

<p>yeah i agree.</p>

<p>if you really are that unhappy you need to make sure that there are schools that you are fairly confident that you'll get into.</p>

<p>However, make sure that these are schools that you would be OK attending if you got in. I know it's a little different than 1st year apps, but I made that mistake my first time around before I transferred.</p>

<p>My list was reach heavy and when I only got waitlisted at them, I ended up at a school I really didn't want to be at.</p>

<p>Not only is your list filled with a bunch of top schools, a few of them are state schools. Not sure how the system works, but I know a lot of top public universities (Virginia's system) do take a significant portion of their transfers from lesser in-state colleges. Basically it's just a negative factor that shouldn't deter you from applying, but it is definitely worth noting.</p>

6

<p>Right, good points and thanks for the help, I was pretty sure I would get into Maryland or Illinois, but I don't know. Cornell wants a 3.3 and the classes I have so hopefully I get there, I am really looking around a lot of sites where I can good essays. I do not wish to "settle" for a school like Buffalo or Albany although I'm certain i'd get in, if I don't get in I think I'll try to get straight A's this term, 2 summer courses, and apply for the winter with around a 3.8.</p>

7

<p>I think you'll get into Maryland and Illinois. You also have a decent shot at NYU as long as it isn't Stern. I think Georgetown and Cornell would be reaches. When Cornell says they want a 3.3 I think they mean that as more of a minimum. I'm not sure about the other schools but I know UNC doesn't discriminate against OOSers for transfer admissions.</p>

8

<p>If this is meant to be a chances thread:</p>

<p>Cornell - dependent on school you are applying to, which is dependent on your intended major.
WashU - reach
NYU - high match (CAS) or low reach (Stern)
Mich-Ross - reach
Northwestern - reach
G'town - low reach (McDonough), reach (College)
Maryland-College Park - low match
Illinois UC - dunno
UNC CH - match
Carnegie Mellon - reach
Chicago - low reach</p>

9

<p>yea that's about exactly what I think, and I chose not to apply to Stern for that reason. G'town would be a dream but I know that's a major reach. Cornell, ehh I think I can compete, as for NW I'm thinking of removing, and maybe Chicago too and adding another safe. That's great news about UNC, I never knew that! One more question though, is acceptance truly random?? I know people with 3.8's getting rejected from good schools and getting into great ones. I also know fairly average kids getting into upper tear schools like NYU and Columbia, how random is it???</p>

<p>-I am applying to ILR for Cornell, they accept tons of transfer and that's the only reason why I think I can get in. Can you elaborate on the High/Low reaches and matches? Thanks a lot.</p>

10

<p>Definitely go with the high acceptance rate as the crux of your ILR essay. :o Do you have any actual interest in the program or do you just want the Cornell name?</p>

11

<p>Do you mean mention their acceptance rate in my essay? The rate is my crux for applying but can you explain a little further?</p>

12

<p>I was being sarcastic</p>

13

<p>Yes I have always wanted to control labor unions since Meyer lansky,Frank Costello, and Jimmy Hoffa did. Ever since I was a kid I did a lot of reading about Teamsters and how they colluded with the mafia to make millions. Please no more sarcasm, this is a very helpful site so don't ruin it.</p>

14

<p>Cornell, WashU, Northwestern, Georgetown, Chicago, and CMU I know will check your credentials (which includes your ECs).</p>

15

<p>That's good to know, NW I don't care b/c that is such a reach anyway, same with Chicago.</p>

16

<p>
[quote]
That's good to know, NW I don't care b/c that is such a reach anyway, same with Chicago.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Though schools do not share information about applicants (except for the Ivys), once you are flagged, other schools will know this. There is little tolerance for fraud in the admissions process.</p>

17

<p>Do not get confused by Cornell's transfer numbers. The vast majority are NY community college students with guaranteed transfer status.</p>

18

<p>What do you mean by that, that sounds like great news since I am an NY commuity college student, if you're saying my chances are greatly increased by that I am really happy.</p>

19

<p>Guaranteed transfer status means the student was given a guaranteed acceptance as a freshman applicant that will be utilized when they transfer. And if you are at a CC with a 3.65, it is going to be nearly impossible to get into Cornell/WashU/Northwestern/Georgetown/UChicago/Carnegie Mellon.</p>

20

<p>Are you serious? They all told me you have to have a B. I know you have to be way higher, but I'm like an A-, that still won't be very competitive?? I won't waste my money if I don't get seriously considered.</p>