Hi there,
Now that it’s approaching mid-summer, the question of whether or not I should try to transfer to Georgetown University has been somewhat of a plague upon my mind. You see, I’m starting my first year at Michigan State (rejected by University of Michigan, State was my best safety school) and I want to know what actions would optimize my chances of being accepted as a transfer student at Georgetown. What I want to study is international relations, and I feel that Georgetown would be the best setting as well as academic program for me to do it. What’s more, I spent about a month there for a summer study/program through the JSA and I grew to love the campus, so it became dream school of sorts. I didn’t apply for one: because I felt that I didn’t have the grades or test scores to attend, and two: my parents actively discouraged me because of the distance. I now feel that, even though I’m wholeheartedly going to give State a chance, I aimed too low and now I want to pursue that dream school of mine. Here are my stats:
3.83 GPA (weighted) took as many A.P classes as my school had, but dropped one to take classes at the somewhat prestigious Hillsdale College. I did incredibly well in the college setting, but Slacked in my high school classes.
1260 SAT- 670 reading/writing 590 math (one of the highest scores in my class, as far as I know. I went to a small school.)
Lots of clubs and leadership: Varsity Quiz bowl captain 3 years, Drum Major 2 years, Freshmen Mentor V.P, and Business professionals of America Regional Champ & secretary. + others
A decent, yet not significant amount of community service hours.
Should I attempt to retake the SAT, would it matter at this point? Or maybe the ACT for the first time? I’ve only had the opportunity to take the former once. I’m somewhat confident that I can make the grades at state, given that I could handle the “notorious” rigor of Hillsdale College. The only challenge will be mathematics, I think. Also, when should I start the application to transfer? After the first half of my freshman year, or sometime during the second year?
Thanks for any advice.