OK, but I don’t see any case made for why only that particular JD/MBA program will do.
@billcsho I am not a legacy, both parents went to Princeton. And @PurpleTitan it may be true that other graduate programs might also be suitable for me but I do not want to be in a situation where I can’t get into a particular program because of my undergraduate institution if that makes sense? When time comes I want all doors to be open for me and I’m concerned with this so much because I’m planning on getting a BBA which makes transferring far more difficult and would require me to start preparing now. Despite how much fun I’ll have at wherever I choose to go, making sure all paths for future pursuits are open to me is very important.
You can’t guarantee that. And you just got burned for shooting for the moon, and not considering enough match schools. No one has EVERY option open to them. Grow up.
@intparent I’ve accepted what’s happened to me and all I’m saying is that I do not want to regret not transferring and if I do I need to register for particular classes at Penn State now. Respectfully I’d like to say that I did not try to reach for the moon as I applied to three Ivies as reaches and expected not to get in. However I may be mistaken but I thought my chances were pretty good at Michigan and UNC but I was very sure UVA would work out (as was my gc). I applied to a variety of schools and I’m not crying or cribbing about what happened to me anymore, I just want to get an idea for what to do in the future. I don’t want to make a mistake I’ll regret. I want to be judged for grad school based off of what I did in college not where I went.
I think it comes down to a worldview that doesn’t really jibe with how reality is.
You seem concerned with having options (granted, very common at your age) when in American business, no avenue is permanently closed off. What’s more important is being able to make the best of the situation that you are in.
@intparent - if OP was your child, would you have spoken to him/her that way? This is April 2, when most students just got whipped. Let’s try to be adults and be a bit sensitive, even if this is the internet. Sheesh.
The OP is just making the same mistake all over again – he can’t see that there are multiple paths to any goal. Hasn’t learned a thing from what just happened. Wants to spend the next four years chasing the “dream program” again, but this time only Harvard will do. If my kid were being this dumb, yes… I would tell them so.
@intparent I truly apologize for being irritating in your eyes but I have stated that it is not Harvard or bust but I want that to be an option. I understand there are many paths to achieve my goal but all I am asking is if I choose to remain at Penn state vs transfer will it lower my chances to get into a good business school? I’ve thought my position over, am excited about attending Penn state in the fall and I feel like I’m being mature about asking more experienced people whether transferring might be a good option. I’ve been taught to think about the future and I know this HS college admissions process didn’t work out for me but at least I know I was qualified for the colleges I applied to. I don’t want to be at a disadvantage in my future because of my undergrad and just for the record I’m not thrilled about transferring but I’m willing to consider it if it can put me on a better path. The current situation I’m in, as I’ve said multiple times, there are measures I have to take before I even attend college to ensure even being eligible to transfer. That’s why I’m asking. A kid who wants to be prepared for the future, wants to weigh their options, is trying to deal with one of the biggest disappointments of their life, and kid who is not willing to give up on their dream is not dumb. I’m asking for opinions because I’m ready to tackle on and move past the predicament I’m in. If I’m still dumb in your eyes, well then you’re entitled to your opinion. I’m a girl by the way 
I actually went back to re-read all of OP’s posts on this thread. I do not see where he said it was do or die for any particular program. It appears he has a goal of getting into a particular program and he wants to make sure where ever he goes for UG would leave that option open for him. What’s wrong with that? Both of kids had “dream program” (particular profession for the older one and particular graduate school for the younger one). The older one’s program came true for her, but we are not too sure for the younger one yet (may not come true for her). Both of them pursued their “dreams” or goal for 4 years while they were in school, but it didn’t mean they were immature or unrealistic.
I do not think OP is dumb, and I also do not think my kids were dumb either. Maturity, to me, means how one handles adversity, not necessary having a dream or goal. I personally think OP is handling this situation very well. I certainly wouldn’t tell my kids to “grow up.” This is just another parent’s point of view.
Thanks @oldfort you clearly stated the point I was trying to make. I came to this site because people are experienced and can guide me about choosing to transfer vs staying. I wanted to see what other people had experienced so I could pave my path forward. I’m happy and will be happy regardless of where I go or what I do but if going to Penn State will close this “dream” option for me then I don’t think I’m immature for considering transferring!
Odds are extremely low that you can transfer to Ross. You can’t seem to accept that it isn’t about the school name… Be a superstar at either school you have been accepted to, get a few years of good work experience and great GMAT/LSAT scores, and you have a shot anywhere.
I agree with the suggestions offered upstream by Oldfort. Talk to your GC. Get your information together. Work those wait lists. My guess is you have a chance to get off of at least one of them.
Do you have any accomplishments that you can add to your applications since the original sub,is soon? Any awards, or honors? Anything that wasn’t included on your original application? A new mentor who can write an additional letter of reference? Anything?
Good luck to you…and please do let us know what happens. There can be quite a LOT of wait list movement…and it’s like a domino affect.
If transferring in to Ross is too unrealistic, I don’t see anything wrong with trying for AEM/McIntire.
But I would hope that that would be to acheive greater goals than getting in to some MBA/JD program.
@PurpleTitan yes I think I’ll keep transferring an option and it’ll definitely be for a better reason than that program (if I feel like it’ll be a better fit but we’ll wait and see for that) also I was thinking about maybe keeping transferring to a good economics program at a school an option? What do you think? And @thumper1 I do have some recent accomplishments that I’ll tell my GC to add! Crossing fingers for getting off the waitlist but am now happier about PSU
I am not sure if you can transfer into Ross directly. The official admission is in sophomore year when the applicants have 2 semesters of grades within UMich. One may need to transfer to UMich first and then apply to Ross again later. That means it may cost OP an extra year.
@billcsho I have looked it up and I can transfer directly into Ross if I take certain courses freshman year at Penn state (which is why I need to plan starting now) but the acceptance rate is 1% usually 5 people so I’d need to see where I am after my first semester or so. Also considering economics at a school like Northwestern ? Idk keeping my options open!
One thing that you should consider…if you end up at Penn State, were you accepted into the Schreyer Honors program? I am not an expert on Penn State but I do know that Schreyer is extremely well regarded as an honors program. If your goal is getting to an elite graduate program, that can absolutely be accomplished after attending a flagship state school. BUT they will be looking for standouts. So you need to excel at college and they will be expecting you to be taking on challenges and that probably means being in an honors program.
^ And even if you weren’t accepted into Schreyer (or didn’t know to apply), you can join later. Higher requirements, like a 3.7 GPA I think, but high GPA should be a goal anyway for someone planning on grad school. https://www.shc.psu.edu/admissions/apply/gateway.cfm
@bodangles and @Ljtjrose no I didn’t apply to Schreyer, applying to Penn State was (thankfully) a last minute decision ! It’s reassuring to know I can join later! I did apply to the sapphire leadership program though?
The OP mentioned a few times the crucial issue of getting into a major that will lead to the grad school program of choice, specifically the Harvard JD/MBA. I doubt whether anyone knows what that golden major is. Harvard MBA students tend to be distributed as 1/3 science and engineering majors, 1/3 humanities and social studies, and 1/3 business majors.