Ivy League Transfer

<p>I am about to start my sophomore year and would like to transfer to a school with more prestige. I would like to go to an Ivy and Yale, Columbia and Penn are my top choices. What I would like to know is what kind of chances I have and which schools I should try to apply to. If anyone who has had success/failure trying to transfer to an Ivy doesn't mind talking about some of their stats, please share.</p>

<p>Here are mine:</p>

<p>Current School: UGA
High School GPA: 3.7 UW, 3.86 W
College GPA: 3.93
SAT/ACT Scores: 710 CR, 770 M, 720 W; 2200 together. (Could take it for a third time and score a little higher, but does it matter?)
AP/SAT II Scores: got two 730s. Didn't fail any AP's, but only got 2/5 5's.
Significant ECs: Currently manage a few important UGA websites and hold a VP position on campus for MIS as well as other minor positions. Will be a Teacher's Assistant next semester and will be able to get good recommendations. Spent time as an intern for a small MIS firm this summer after my freshman year.
Hooks: Experience writing websites as well as serving in leadership positions. Spent a lot of time in high school tutoring kids.</p>

<p>I was pretty lazy in high school but still came out with a decent GPA. I really got my act together in college and have been wanting to transfer. Thank you for your input</p>

<p>You’d definitely have a decent shot at all three, with a great GPA, recs and ECS, but honestly they’re all crapshoots with 2-4% acceptance rates. Make sure your essays really stand out, be specific on why you want to transfer and what you can contribute.</p>

<p>Would retaking the SAT help? I might be able to score slightly higher but I should probably just spend time working on my essays</p>

<p>It probably wouldn’t help as much, 2200-2400 is usually the “magic number” for SAT scores, as they’re mostly weighted practically the same.</p>

<p>Thanks, I appreciate the input</p>

<p>Don’t bother retaking the SATs; I just transferred to Yale and certainly didn’t have a 2400. My scores were a bit higher than yours but I think once you hit 2200 it’s all the same (unless you get a 2400). Your GPA seems to be on par with what most Ivy transfers have as well. I had a 4.0 but I think that as long as you have close (which you do) you are fine. Honestly it just comes down to WHY you want to go where you want to go. I had a very specific reason for applying to Yale, and I think that is what they look for. Make your essays and your arguments compelling, and make them show why the school you are applying to is the ONLY school that could offer what you are looking for.</p>

<p>Angelsonthemoon- Yale is my top choice; I have friends that love it there. If you don’t mind me asking, what was the specific reason that you gave? I’ve heard that a lot of yale’s decisions are based on the essay (there are tons of people with the GPA and sats necessary). I have reasons but they are so unoriginal. You can pm me if you do not want to post it</p>

<p>@Angelsonthemon- Do the schools, such as Yale take your high school grades and SAT into an account, when you have 60 credits at community college? And were you in honors program when you transferred. Could you please pm me if you can.</p>