MIT/Stanford transfer: is it possible?

Transfer Students
1

<p>I'm going into my second year at UVa as a Computer Science major, and I have a 4.0 with pretty solid coursework which I can describe more if needed. I have effectively 60 credits right now thanks to APs. HS GPA was a 3.9 weighted with a pretty solid upward curve (4.0 junior year, 4.3 senior year). I don't have any real college extracurriculars (worked though), in HS I founded a club and did 4 years of a sport, and I've worked every summer for the past four in CS and computer related things. SAT was 2200, SAT II's were 790 physics 770 spanish 760 math.</p>

<p>I've been reading up on transferring to MIT/Stanford and it looks like they only take 20 people every year, which is pretty rough. I'd like to transfer for the 2009 spring semester, but I'm willing to wait until the 2009 fall semester if it'd improve my chances. I got rejected when I applied out of HS.</p>

<p>The question: is it possible?</p>

<p>I'm also thinking about CMU and Cornell, again for CS. Hopefully those are more attainable, any info on them is also appreciated.</p>

2

<p>You have a very solid high school record and perfect college record. Some ECs would certainly help, but I think you'd make a strong case for Stanford and MIT. CMU and Cornell are much higher chances for you.</p>

3

<p>If it weren't possible they'd take 0 a year. Clearly someone gets in. If you really want it, you might as well try. I agree with jk_91, you have a good shot at CMU and Cornell.</p>

4

<p>You should try, but don't be obsessed with it.</p>

<p>Not sure if either take spring transfers, though.</p>

5

<p>MIT takes spring semester, Stanford does not. For that matter, Cornell is fall only and CMU spring semester seems kind of dubious, so I might just have to put it off.</p>

<p>I was really wondering if anyone knew someone who succeeded at transferring to MIT/Stanford. I only know one (my aunt, actually), but she had been taking MIT classes while at Mt. Holyoke for 2 years so it's hardly a typical situation.</p>

6

<p>I remember reading it in an article once. He went from De Anza (California) to Stanford.</p>

7

<p>There's someone on this board who transferred from a CC to Stanford.</p>

<p>You should check the CC threads if you want to find him.</p>

8

<p>His name is Bourne...and he is a god amongst us transfers ha</p>

9

<p>Where did you guys get these stats about 20 people a year and stuff?</p>

10

<p>Check the Stanford website. They have a prospective transfers page.</p>

11

<p>Yea, I think Cornell should be a safety/low match for you! Good luck!</p>

12

<p>This is a bit of thread hijacking, and perhaps inappropriate [I found the thread through an accidental google search], if so, please forgive the grievance.</p>

<p>I am currently attending USC, and find it horribly paltry. I transfered there on a whim since it's somewhat near my home, from a JC [which was a better experience in my opinion]. I don't have anywhere near a 4.0, maybe a 3.5 GPA. I graduated high school at 15 after being injured severely in sporting activities and have since taken to a life of reclusion and intellectualism.</p>

<p>I should mention that I should graduate with a philosophy undergraduate degree this coming spring [09] at USC.</p>

<p>My dilemma is essentially that I want to start over at some other school. Right now I am heavily considering Stanford because I would like to be involved with SLORK, and study mathematics/physics/quantum mechanics there.</p>

<p>Do these institutions make room for persons such as myself? Or are they purely academic whores? I suppose it is worth a try either way, but does one enter into the school as a transfer student or as a freshman?...i will be re-starting at the beginning of a degree, but at the same time, I have quite a few electives and such from my old JC [cumulative AA degree].</p>

<p>My ultimate goal will be to attend higher level institutions in Europe to study music theory and composition most likely, at the same time, I am working on various novels and poetry that I may attempt to get published in the future. Perhaps being a professor would be the only suitable career I can envision to make money while writing my music, literature, etc...[cliche I know, but it truly seems the last respite of the intellectual in this world]. Working in physics/quantum mechanics is basically the new philosophy I feel, so publishing papers in that field wouldn't be so bad either I think. I may also consider studying cryptography in depth, as I feel that that will be another essential component of modern philosophy.</p>

<p>I am sorry to have rambled on, I thought some elucidation would be useful in developing your respectable opinions.</p>

<p>Thank you for you time.</p>

<ul>
<li>Micah</li>
</ul>

13

<p>
[quote]
For that matter, Cornell is fall only and CMU spring semester seems kind of dubious, so I might just have to put it off.

[/quote]
Cornell isn't Fall only, they take Spring transfers as well. There's a very long thread called Cornell Spring '09 Transfer on this board if you wanna check it out</p>

14

<p>
[quote]
Do these institutions make room for persons such as myself?

[/quote]

Bluntly, no.

[quote]
Or are they purely academic whores?

[/quote]

Well for the very limited amount of people they accept there are people with more outstanding records than yours, not limited to academia. Are they purely academic whores if those applicants are chosen over you? Personally I think it's an obvious choice. There shouldn't be "affirmative action" like acceptances for people with non-perfect records. This is Stanford, they only need to accept the best applicants.</p>

15

<p>If they value something as trivial and meaningless as grades over a mind, then they can keep their precious pseudo-intellectual elitism.</p>

<p>I would examine my world view if I were you, you seem to believe human beings are reducible to statistics alone, which is a grave mistake, and so far as morality exists, perhaps the most immoral stance anyone could possibly hold.</p>

<p>If no one disagrees within a day, I shall simply remove my "foul" post.</p>

<p>Cheers.</p>

16

<p>^That idea is nice in theory, but they can't examine your mind, they can only look at your transcript and read your essays and try to get a general sense of who you are, then either accept or reject you. We all know humans aren't reducible to statistics (I hope) but elite colleges like Stanford receive thousands of apps, so they usually pick the ones with good grades over the ones with average grades, 'cause that's what makes sense. Btw I don't think you can remove your post after a day.</p>

<p>Also, OP, if I were you I would def apply to all 4. And Cornell does take Spring transfers</p>

17

<p>stravinsky-</p>

<p>I agree with you that it is unfortunate that much of the admissions process has been reduced to the scores an applicant has achieved throughout her/his life. However, as a purported philosophy savant i really think you should have understood this, sstory was not making a normative claim about the admissions process, rather s/he was being pragmatic and looking at your chances through the established standards (which you and I may detest). </p>

<p>"If they value something as trivial and meaningless as grades over a mind, then they can keep their precious pseudo-intellectual elitism."</p>

<p>That's all well and good, but how do you think they would go about measuring the strength of ones mind? Stanford, like most other top universities, gets thousands of applications every year, do you think they have enough time to administer an IQ test or put you through psychoanalysis to measure the strength of your mind? Grades, sat's and other tangible measures are a big part of the admissions process, and while you may not like it, its about the only realistic method they have to evaluate an applicant. You can't expect to get into stamford with a 3.5 just because you make endless claims about being an "intellectual".</p>

18

<p>Stravinsky,</p>

<p>As a philosophy student, I agree with what you are saying, but I can only offer my advice for you to pursue some concrete results. If possible, add a double-major in Physics at USC; philosophical aptitude does not entail scientific aptitude in the eyes of most.</p>

19

<p>
[quote]
I should mention that I should graduate with a philosophy undergraduate degree this coming spring [09] at USC.....Do these institutions make room for persons such as myself? Or are they purely academic whores? I suppose it is worth a try either way, but does one enter into the school as a transfer student or as a freshman?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The "academic whore" and freshman/transfer questions are both moot:</p>

<p>Eligibility</a> & Credit Transfer : Stanford University</p>

<p>"Students who have already earned a bachelor's degree are not eligible to apply for undergraduate admission, but they may contact the Graduate Admissions Office at <a href="mailto:gradadmissions@stanford.edu">gradadmissions@stanford.edu</a> for information about admission to Stanford’s graduate programs."</p>

20

<p>I know nothing is certain in admissions, but I'd say you're good to go for CMU.</p>