"International" Student Transfer into Duke, etc. (for Biology) Please help.

Colleges & Universities A-Z Duke University
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<p>So I apologize in advance if this is a bit lengthy, but it is a long story!</p>

<p>Basically, I am a second year undergraduate at the University of Sheffield in the UK on a MSc Zoology degree program. However, I'm a NY resident and achieved my HS diploma and all in the states, just decided England would be better for my education (the ability to focus on Zoology, lack of a liberal arts yr, getting my Masters in 4yrs, Sheffield is the top 4th school in the UK for Biology, etc.). Unfortunately, now heading into my second semester, I have found myself completely unable to continue financing my degree as my sponsorship fell through. I have no money to finish out the year, let alone next (which is extremely frustrating because by next year I'd have my Bachelors Degree). I have considered all avenues of funding - scholarships, hardship funds from my university, spoken to people within my department, and it all seems to be hopeless
My original plan was to take a gap year and just go back home and work and then continue on at Sheffield for my third year. If I can't finish out my next semester that begins in Feb, that plan doesn't really make any sense because there's no way I can make enough money over a year for my second semester AND third year. SO it looks like I will have to transfer.
I've done some research and considering the courses I have taken, Duke University, Cornell, Brown, and UC Davis seem to have the best options. The thing is that since I didn't take a liberal arts year, I have already taken the majority of biology degrees basic courses offered at cheaper, easier to get into schools for my major (SUNY Env Sci, U Vermont, Colorado State, etc.). Duke seems to have interesting, stimulating courses and study abroad courses so I won't feel like I'm basically redoing my 1 and 1/2 years.
Now there are many issues surrounding this: 1. Will all of my credits transfer? I don't want the thousands upon thousands of dollars in loans I've spent to have gone to waste. 2. Can I actually afford to transfer? 3. Will I actually be able to get into the universities I'm interested in. 4. HOW MUCH AID WILL I GET? (I have an EFC of 0, single parent, etc.)</p>

<p>Just a bit of a background for you to better assess my chances: In high school I was in the top 10 of my graduating class. My school didn't offer many APs, but I did take AP US History 4, AP Biology 4, took AP Calculus but not the exam. Overall average was around 96 percent. First year of university I achieved a an upper 2.2. degree (around 59 percent). I don't know what the equivalent of this is. This year I am really trying hard to achieve a first and so far I am. In terms of courses, I've taken all of the basics. Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Invertebrate and Vertebrate Zoology, World Ecosystems, Comparative Physiology, IT and lab skills, etc. etc.
Aside from this I have a lot of research experience. I have spent three years at the American Museum of Natural History in a variety of capacities. I participated in the High School Science Research Program assessing dung beetles for the IUCN (the authority on providing conservation statuses such as endangered or vulnerable, etc.). I also assisted with species richness mapping for Vietnam primates. Last summer, I was a tour guide for the Hall of Ocean Life.
This year at my university I am helping out with the Global Cactus Assessment and compiling information again for the IUCN, inputting information directly onto the SIS database.</p>

<p>AH, sorry this was so lengthy! I really appreciate any advice you can offer. I am highly passionate about pursuing my dream of becoming a conservationist and working to protect orangutans in Borneo so you can imagine how emotionally taxing this is for me.</p>

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<p>If anyone could please chance me as my situation is quite unique it would be really helpful!</p>

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<p>Hi cynthiahxp,</p>

<p>Let me start by saying that I don’t have any experience with transferring, but I’ll try to help as much as I can.</p>

<p>First of all, here’s a brief overview on transferring to Duke: [Duke</a> University Admissions: Transfer Students](<a href=“http://www.admissions.duke.edu/jump/applying/apply_transfer.html]Duke”>http://www.admissions.duke.edu/jump/applying/apply_transfer.html)</p>

<p>To answer your questions:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Yes, your credits should transfer. There seems to be a rather burdensome bureaucratic system that you must go through to get each credit to transfer, though. Read here for more details: [Duke</a> University | Trinity College of Arts & Sciences : Academic requirements](<a href=“http://trinity.duke.edu/academic-requirements?p=transfer-credit]Duke”>http://trinity.duke.edu/academic-requirements?p=transfer-credit)</p></li>
<li><p>See #4.</p></li>
<li><p>I have no idea whether it’s more or less difficult to transfer (compared to applying as a first-year student), so I can’t help you with that. You seem like you’d have as good of a shot as anyone, though, especially seeing how focused your studies have been.</p></li>
<li><p>First of all, I don’t think international students are guaranteed to have their financial need met 100%. However, since your permanent residence is in the US, I’m guessing you’d still qualify as a domestic applicant. On the other hand, I’m not sure how financial aid works for transfer students. Here’s the official site: [Duke</a> Financial Aid: Transfer Applicants](<a href=“Homepage | Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support”>Homepage | Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support). Looking at that, it seems as though 100% need is still met for transfer students, since the webpage for “International Students” states explicitly that “Financial resources for international students are limited” (while the page for “Transfer Applicants” makes no such statement). If 100% need is met, then I think you’re likely to be able to afford it. Duke’s recently passed new financial aid initiatives that aimed to especially help out lower income families. You can contact Duke’s financial aid office (finaid AT duke.edu) if you have any specific questions; they’re pretty helpful and quick to respond.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Let me leave you with two other contacts, both of whom co-taught an introductory biology course that I took last semester.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Dr. Ron Grunwald - He’s the Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies for Duke’s Biology Department. He’d be the one to contact for any questions about transferring your credits. Email: ron.grunwald AT duke.edu</p></li>
<li><p>Susan Alberts - She’s a biology professor here whose research might be somewhat in-line with your academic interests. You can read more about her research on her lab page: [Alberts</a> Lab, Duke University Biology Department](<a href=“Front Page | Department of Biology”>Front Page | Department of Biology). She doesn’t hold any administrative positions, but she’s a genuinely compassionate lady, so I’m sure she’d be more than willing to help you out in any way that she could. Email: alberts AT duke.edu</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I hoped that helped a little. I know I don’t know much myself, but hopefully this will provide you with a starting point. Feel free to ask anymore questions if you have them. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Hey there knat,
Sorry I’ve only just seen this post!!</p>

<p>Thank you so much for that info. Susan Alberts has done amazing work, you’re so lucky to have been a student! Since last post I have thoroughly researched Duke and am even more in love with there EEB major, it truly is the best I have seen, possibly other than Columbia (and I’ve looked into Bio programs in the UK, Australia).
I called them and they say on average 20/500 transfer applications are accepted per year. I think this might make my chances pretty slim, no? </p>

<p>Financial aid, I was guaranteed that full need is met so hopefully that won’t be an issue. </p>

<p>I’ve edited my stats and have no provided more information, if anyone else is willing to assess =]</p>

<p>High School:
In high school I was consistenly in the top 10(from 7 to 8)/315.
My school didn’t offer many APs (though I had a full honors courseload), but I did take AP US History (4), AP Biology (4), AP English (3), I took AP Calculus but not the exam. Overall average was around 97 percent, graduated in the top ten of my year.
SAT score - 1860 (640 R, 590 M, 630 W, 8 on essay)
SAT Biology 570, SAT Math 620, SAT Chem 550 - I srsly suck at standardized testing.
I scored well on most of the NY Regents (99 on English, 100 on American H, can look up scores if they’re important, but are they?).
HS Extracurriculars:
National Honors Society
Environmental Awareness Club
Intern at Environmental Protection agency
Recieved a full scholarship to Oxford Royale Summer Program to spend a month at Oxford Uni
Spent a week in Thailand on an Elephant Conservation Program
Attended biology classes at the American Museum of Natural History
HSSRP working with dung beetles explained later</p>

<p>University:
First year of university I achieved an upper 2.2. degree (around 59 percent/ 80 percent). I don’t know what the equivalent of this is.
This year I am really trying hard to achieve a first and so far I am (72/80 percent). In terms of courses, I’ve taken all of the basics. Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Invertebrate and Vertebrate Zoology, World Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Comparative Physiology, IT and lab skills, etc. etc.
Extracurriculars: Active member of the Conservation Volunteers, People and Planet, and Ethical and Environmental Committee.
Aside from this I have a considerable amount of research experience. I have spent three years at the American Museum of Natural History in a variety of capacities. I participated in the High School Science Research Program assessing dung beetles for the IUCN (the authority on providing conservation statuses such as endangered or vulnerable, etc.). Last summer, I assisted with species richness mapping for Vietnam primates. In a seperate paid position at the museum, I was a tour guide for the Hall of Ocean Life.
This year at my university I am helping out with the Global Cactus Assessment and compiling information again for the IUCN, inputting information directly onto the SIS database.
Additional info: I am multiracial (Black Carribean and White). Come from a single mom household, have an EFC of 0. I am a vegan with strong ideals concerning the connectedness between climate change and anthropogenic processes that I intend to mention. From a young age, I have dreamed of working with orangutans in Borneo, as well as other conservation projects.</p>

<p>I know my research record is much better than my academics and I intend to emphasize this in my application.</p>