Is it true that you cannot transfer to elite schools from community college?

Applying to College
1

I heard it’s almost impossible to transfer to Stanford, Cal Tech, MIT, or the Ivy Leagues. I’ve never heard of a person going this route.

2

Stanford has, in recent history, admitted about half of its small number of transfer students from community colleges.

3

Again, like your other post it is very difficult for many of these schools from ANY college because the transfer rate is so low.

College/Applied/Admitted
MIT 497/21
Stanford 1,663/33
Cal Tech 168/9 (214/5 previous year)

4

To be able to transfer to an elite school ffrom a cc you would likely have been admissable as a freshman but chose to attend cc for personal reasons.

5

@ucbalumnus is correct. Stanford favors giving second chances to those who have chosen somewhat of an alternative interesting/intriguing path like community college and the military service in recent years…over those who are trying to transfer laterally from peer schools…

…and the only reason why they can accept around 30 each year is due to the number of top athletes leaving early for the pros, students taking time off to try their hand at startups, and some just taking a breather…

…so, don’t let the fact that you attend CC stop you…if you believe you have unique qualifications go ahead and try!

6

It’s not impossible, it’s just extremely difficult and usually requires an unusual personal narrative. If, for example, you had challenges and responsibilities that rendered full-time enrollment in a four-year college unfeasible immediately after high school, but have since excelled and demonstrated leadership, elite colleges might find you a more promising candidate than someone whom they rejected two years earlier.