<p>There is not much I can do now since I've already submitted my application, but would somehow care to assess my chances to transfer to Notre Dame this fall.</p>
<p>Current school: University of Iowa</p>
<p>Entering as: sophomore</p>
<p>College courses: Western Civ. I, Elementary Latin I, Elem. Latin II, Gen. Chemistry I, Stars Galaxies and the Universe, Finite Math, Intro. to American Politics, Intro. to American Foreign Policy, and three English composition courses in high school (I realize I'm one math course short, but I can take a math course this summer. I also have two W's, including one from Calculus I. And an advisor at ND has already assured me that they will transfer.)
This would be 39 credits overall.</p>
<p>College GPA: 4.0 for first semester, but this semester has been more difficult, so I've calculated that it should be around 3.85-3.95 after this year ends.</p>
<p>High School GPA and ranking: 3.9 and 8/51 (This was at a tiny public school in rural Iowa).</p>
<p>Extracurriculars: a few random jobs, slight volunteering, volunteer for Congressman, no clubs, no sports</p>
<p>SAT: 1160/1600, 1910/2400</p>
<p>ACT: 25</p>
<p>AP's: 5 in United States History (the only one my high school offered)</p>
<p>Essay: I thought I wrote and organized it well and made the point why I want to transfer clearly. I wrote about how Notre Dame can make me a better person and give me more opportunities in college and in the rest of my life. But I am concerned that it might appear that the essay was bashing where I came from and has and will hold me back unless I transfer.</p>
<p>Special hooks: I am as white as you can imagine, but I come from a humble background, and some colleges might like the story of someone coming from nothing and being faced with several obstacles and setbacks to his dreams and working hard to over some them. </p>
<p>First generation college student.</p>
<p>I sent zero recommendation letters this year.</p>
<p>I applied last year for freshman admission, but my high school teachers and counselor wrote horrible recommendations in pen and bad handwriting, and the application was sloppily put together.</p>
<p>I think the strength of my application might be that I am not exceptionally intelligent, wealthy, or given many lucky breaks, so I have and am willing to do what it takes to make something of myself.</p>
<p>Also, does anyone know if the advisors for potential transfer students that we email serve on the committees that look at our applications and make decisions on them? I've been in frequent communication with one particular advisor through email since last June.</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>