Incredibly unique transfer situation

<p>I'm currently a sophomore at Drexel University, majoring in Philosophy. I was not a good high school student, and only took the SATs once. My high school GPA was 2.9, and I did not prepare for my SATs and received a 1050/1600, 1560/2400.</p>

<p>Well, I have completed 3 semesters in college. I have an A in every single course I have taken, a 4.0 GPA. After pondering over everything, I have a strong desire to transfer. I want to obtain the best education possible, with a degree from the best school I can get into. So the question I pose to all of you, is what is the best possible school that I can expect to be accepted?</p>

<p>NYU has one of the best Philosophy programs in the country. You can give that a shot. There are lots of doors that open with a 4.0 GPA, the question is what preference do you have? Do you want a large research-oriented university or a small liberal arts college? Do you want to be on the east or west coast? What kind of tuition can you afford? Maybe I can help you from there as a fellow Philosophy student.</p>

<p>I don't want to go anywhere in the west coast. I like Duke and Georgetown, but am afraid my high school record might prevent me from being admitted to either. It is a shame, considering I could not do any more in the 1.5 years that matter for transfer students. Tuition is not a problem, by the way. I suppose I could just apply to G'Town and Duke and pray, there's really nothing to lose besides the application fee.</p>

<p>your hs record will matter minimally at this point...it may be a factor, but certainly not a big factor if it is a factor at all</p>

<p>are you at a cc now? if so, your grades are obviously excellent but in order to get into those top schools your ec's will be a very big factor in your admission to a top school...what are they, may i ask? your ec's will likely determine what kind of college you can get into...but a 4.0 in itself is still very very impressive</p>

<p>I don't attend a community college. As I stated, I go to Drexel University in Philadelphia. I'm hoping that a 4.0 at a private university will trump all community college transfers with a 4.0. </p>

<p>EC's are editor for the school newspaper, over 100 community service hours, tutor-in-residence in a freshman residence hall, student peer advisor, TV station assistant, sigma pi fraternity, and 2 intramurals. </p>

<p>What are my chances at Duke, Georgetown, Lehigh, Penn, Virginia? I like those 5 and am definitely applying to each, but am not limited to only them.</p>

<p>why are you leaving drexel? I was thinking about applying to transfer into drexel lol....you should have no problem getting into Lehigh</p>

<p>As dufflebagjesus said, your HS record won't be as important at this point. Since you'll be applying for junior standing, schools will primarily look at your GPA and your ECs. Your ECs look pretty solid, I say you have a 'good' chance at Duke, GTown and Penn (for what thats worth), and you're in at UVa and Lehigh.</p>

<p>I would also recommend NYU, Cornell, Brown, Amherst and Rice.</p>

<p>hmmm...4.0 from drexel is very very impressive...if i am to be really really picky, which most of the top top schools may be, im not sure if anything in your ec's stands out? maybe im wrong. perhaps being editor of your school paper actually...perhaps make that the focal point of your ec's, provided it requires a good deal of personal commitment which im sure it does...lehigh you should have no problem getting into...the other four schools you will certainly have a shot at, i think, just do everything in your power to make your app. as strong as possible...write a knock out essay and i think you will be a very competitive applicant to even the harder schools on your list</p>

<p>gl</p>

<p>tcf4141 - I have the rare opportunity to get a lot more for my money. I like Drexel a lot and I actually recommend transferring there, but it would be stupid for me not to explore better opportunities.</p>

<p>Lehigh is kind of a safety school for me. I'd be happy with any one of the three out of Duke, Georgetown and Penn.</p>

<p>Rice isn't an option because I do not want to go to Texas, but I will consider NYU in case I don't get into my top 3.</p>

<p>It's amazing the options I have now, compared to coming out of school thinking it was a miracle to just get into Drexel. I hope this can motivate some high school students</p>

<p>All three require SAT scores. You need to see if they will let you retake.</p>

<p>I'm aware they all require SAT scores. As the other posters have told me, I'm hoping they look at my flawless 3 semesters at Drexel and weigh their decision on that.</p>

<p>Lol, not really anything unique of not trying in HS and having some big turnaround in college, actually quite common. Your "flawless" 3 semesters at a ranked 100+ school does not by any way translate to a 4.0 at top universities. The common ground for all applicants is the SAT, so you will have to retake them if possible and try to get a higher score.</p>

<p>Will Penn count SAT retakes by external transfers?</p>

<p>whoswithwhatnow - I'm sure that these top universities will be impressed with a 4.0 after 3 semesters. I disagree with your opinion entirely, and do not appreciate the fact that you are implying that this is some miniscule accomplishment.</p>

<p>i too disagree with "whoswithwhatnow ". cuz getting 4.0 is highly impressive!!!! and i think after this much time in college HS GPA and SAT should matter less. moreover, i think phillies26 has some good ECs and a stellar Essay can get him into some of his choices. by the way when r u applying for transfer?? fall 2009?? and whats ur major??</p>

<p>
[quote]
I'm currently a sophomore at Drexel University, majoring in Philosophy.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Very first sentence in the post.</p>

<p>And I don't understand why this other person is putting flawless in quotations? Is a 4.0 not flawless? We're not talking about a 3.99 here...</p>

<p>Were you taking the most rigorous possible course load at Drexel? I know Drexel has an honors college. Are you in that curriculum? Also, are an editor or THE editor-in-chief?</p>

<p>Also, I wouldn't characterize the situation as unique. It's actually fairly common.</p>

<p>Anybody have an answer to my question above: Will Penn count SAT retakes by external transfers?</p>

<p>Get them on the phone. I couldn't seem to find that info anywhere on the website.</p>