<p>I want to transfer because of the crazy cost for OOS students like myself. Physics is my desired field of study, and I always hear how great the physics program is at Cal Tech. Does coming from a somewhat reputable school like Cal Berkeley increase my chances of being admitted? Also, are SATs required as part of the application process for transfers? If anyone knows any stats (GPA, EC's, major, work experience, etc) of transfer students from 4 year universities in general that would be helpful in figuring out if I had a decent shot. I will PM people who want to see my stats</p>
<p>Good grades always count more if they’re from a good school. Prepare for culture shock though. Caltech as a whole is about the same size as some classes at Berkeley.</p>
<p>Transfers are based on a transfer examination. Yes, your grades, SAT etc do count but you need to pass a very difficult examination and not many students get through. If you get good recommendations from a UC Berkeley faculty, it helps but if you cannot pass the exam, then nothing else matters. The link to the transfer page is given below. </p>
<p>[Transfer</a> Applicants - Caltech Caltech Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://admissions.caltech.edu/applying/transfer]Transfer”>http://admissions.caltech.edu/applying/transfer)</p>
<p>Also, if you look at the transfer statistics, about 15 students in the last 4 years were from a community college (2 year institution) and 16 from a 4 year institution. Even though the percentages are higher for a 4 year school, the fact that community college students can get in shows that the reputation of the school that the applicant is now in may not matter as much as one would be tempted to believe.</p>
<p>Yeah I’m not too worried about the transfer exam since I will have covered all the bases as far as the math and physics content goes. Also as far as community college students transferring, I think they generally have a greater hook. Does anyone know if there are databases for past transfer exams???</p>
<p>Not sure what you mean by a hook. Caltech is known for not giving consideration to what are conventionally known as hooks such as children of alumni, donors, athletics etc. What matters in Caltech is a demonstrated passion for math and science and it does not matter if you are transfer student or not. You have to show that passion for math and science. Again, from what I understand, the transfer exams mimic the very rigorous Caltech curriculum. I will bet the community college students who go it put in a lot of extra work to get past the examinations.</p>
<p>The previous exam questions are not shared.</p>
<p>Ah okay. Well thanks for the advice mazewanderer. I hope that my research and technical GPA show how much I am attracted to the wonders of science.</p>
<p>I checked again. SAT scores is not needed for transfer admission, so your SAT scores may not carry much weight. Good luck with the exam</p>
<p>Thanks mazewanderer!</p>
<p>don’t do it</p>