<p>Hello everyone. Now I know that no one here can actually accurately predict chances, but for the sake of puting my mind somewhat at ease could anyone help me out with my chances and list of schools? Thanks. ;)</p>
<p>Stats:
-SAT I: 1410 (710 Verbal, 700 Math)
-SAT IIs: 800 French; 760 Writing; 700 Math IC
-APs: 5 (French), 5 (English Lang.), 4 (EnviroSci)
-GPA: 3.8 HS; 3.8 college
-College classes taken while in HS
-Very difficult courseload while at college
-Good ECs in both HS and college, some distinguished awards, 2 years varsity sports, music EC, president in 1 club, officer of another, etc etc.
-Great essays
-Great HS recs, good college recs</p>
<p>Currently an English and French double major at Georgetown University, going into my sophomore year (so I will be applying as a Junior). </p>
<p>List of possible schools (in order of preference): Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Brown, Dartmouth (maybe), Columbia (maybe), UPenn (maybe)</p>
<p>Stanford, Harvard and Yale will be tougher than the others; look seriously at UPenn since know of several Hoya students who have transferred there quite successfully.</p>
<p>I wish you the best of luck with transferring, and you should congratulate yourself on already having done so well so far. But...I just finished the process (Northwestern!!!) and however hard it looks, at least double that. I had very similar stats to you, except for transferring as a sophomore, with slightly higher SATs and a little less ECs. I applied to Dartmouth, Stanford, Yale, and Northwestern, and even with a long standing history with Dartmouth, NU was the only one to give me a second glance. (Still, no complaints.) I guess what I'm saying is I really am grateful I added a school a little less chancy into the picture, because as the application process wore on I only became increasingly aware how little I wanted to go back. </p>
<p>With all that in mind, you've done great so far and its just the fault of tiny acceptance rates that you might want to think about a few others outside Stanford, Yale, Harvard. Best of luck.</p>
<p>The key to getting in of course is your essay on why you want to transfer. That needs to be quite solid.</p>
<p>I'm curious, what would be your main reasons? (As Stanford, Yale, Harvard and Brown are four incredibly different schools- but not different enough from Georgetown)</p>
<p>if you arent satisfied with georgetown and just want to get out of there, apply to some good safety schools as well as all of the ivies you listed. perhaps nyu or something in that range?</p>
<p>Transfer applications are different. In a way, they take more time because each essay MUST address why you want to go to the specific school. What programs do you want that's only offered at a certain school? These essays take time because it requires real research. It's hard to BS.</p>
<p>Secondly, in your essay, I'd recommend not to bash Georgetown even if you don't like it. Be resepctful and rationally state how the school did not fit your interests etc.</p>
<p>Terrific advice, WindCloud -- that's exactly what the OP should be doing! Also SAT scores won't figure in as much if at all; it'll be the transcript (grades plus difficulty of curriculum -200/300 level courses etc.)</p>
<p>Thanks for the help, everyone! You've all given me some important things to think about.</p>
<p>I guess I'll just explain a couple things first:</p>
<p>-Some of these schools I am just applying to because (1) they are on the common app, and (2) they have always been schools I have regarded as the pinnacle of higher education (i.e. Harvard, Yale). Should I not do that? I just figured that I might as well, because even though I don't have a great shot by any standards, applications aren't too difficult and I'd probably regret not applying later (like I did the first time around!).
-I like Stanford because it is close to my home and they have practically endless resources. My father went here for grad school and I have heard nothing but great things about it from my friends who go there. I regretted not applying as a freshman.
-I like Brown because of the open curriculum, and also for its proximity to Boston (where my twin brother goes to school).
-Dartmouth interests me because of its focus on undergraduate education, and I really think that the rural location would really help me focus on my education.
-I feel like UPenn could end up being a lot like Georgetown, which is why I am hesitant to apply. That said, it does have extremely strong departments all across the board so that's nothing to scoff at. I'd like to include this on my list just for the option, in case nothing else works out.
-Lastly, Columbia appeals to me because of its urban location (yes, I know, contradictory to what I said about Dartmouth). I feel like living in a city like NYC would provide a type of education that other schools can not. My older brother also goes to school near NYC.</p>
<p>Now for the reasons I don't like Georgetown:
-As an undergraduate student, I feel neglected. The price I pay to go there seems in no way to be reflected in the education/services I receive. A lot of times it feels like a business whose purpose is to churn out graduates like cars, with no concern for how the students feel or what they really want.
-Also, Washington DC is, in my opinion, not a city built for students. The sidewalks roll up by 9pm, and the downtown is literally deserted at night. I may as well be up in Hanover if there's nothing to do in the middle of the city.</p>
<p>And I know I may seem like some kind of Ivy-crazed wacko, but I really do have real reasons for choosing the schools I have. While most of them are Ivies, I certainly did not choose them because of that.</p>
<p>Once again, thanks for all your help, and I wish all of the other transfers out there the best of luck!! (And sorry about the long post!) :p</p>
<p>Long posts are good if they provide important information, which your's does. The reasons you listed, explore them in the personal statement. They sound legit to me.</p>