Does being waitlisted for Fall 2015 as an incoming freshman give any advantage to applying for transfer for Fall 2016? I would be coming from a large state university.
While being waitlisted is surely better than being rejected, don’t be fooled into thinking the waitlist is some exclusive short list with you at the cusp of admittance. Unfortunately many schools, including Hopkins, put hundreds of students on the wait list (I’ve read it often goes into the thousands: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-28/at-top-schools-a-spot-on-the-wait-list-may-as-well-be-a-rejection). That being said, as a transfer applicant you will show a historic interest in the school having applied before. and being put on the waitlist is validation they liked what they saw. I do caution though for you to limit your expectations. I don’t know transfer applicant data other than the rough 10% transfer admission rate that Hopkins reports on its website https://apply.jhu.edu/apply/transfer-students/ Almost all the transfer students I encountered while at Hopkins were from local schools in Baltimore or Maryland. If you are going to University of Maryland or some other MD state school then that seems encouraging given what I saw. There’s little harm in applying though. My biggest concern is that you become so focused on getting into Hopkins that you don’t enjoy the school you’re attending. Makes for a potentially miserable freshman year. Just a though. To increase your chance of success: earn that 4.0 in coursework you wish to pursue at Hopkins and get a glowing letter of rec from faculty in the field of interest. Participate in unique EC you’re passionate about and demonstrate you make an impact on your campus for the better. Be prepared for interview questions about why your school is not a match for you and why Hopkins will make your dreams come true. Don’t be shocked though if you end up falling in love with the school you’re at now. Many students change their minds about transferring because of the friends they make and the realization that there are many great schools. “Little ol’ high school me was so wrong!”