<p>Hey everyone,
I'm currently a freshman at UPenn CAS. I'm not really enjoying it so far. I'm doing pretty well in my classes (I think I'll have around a 3.5 by the end of the semester) but the social life and location are really bumming me out. I'm going to give the school more of a chance and see if I like second semester more after rushing and stuff, but I'm starting to think about transferring for sophomore year. I love NYC, so I was thinking of trying for columbia (I know it's very difficult to transfer there) or NYU Stern (Econ major). My question is if NYU Stern would be a safety for me as I'm transferring from an ivy league school. I had excellent grades in high school, except for the end of senior year in which I slacked a bit, but I still had a 3.85 gpa, which is good enough for penn at the end of high school. my ECs were also great, and I got a 2320 on my SATs (writing: 800, reading: 800, math: 720). What are the odds of me getting into Stern as a fall 2014 transfer student? Thanks!</p>
<p>If you really want to immerse yourself in the city - NYU would provide a better experience as it integrates itself much better to NYC than Columbia. Columbia students are next to Harlem and so they will mostly hang out around that area.</p>
<p>Don’t apply to NYU Stern with the mindset that its going to be a safety - its transfer acceptance rate is extremely low. There plenty of students/applicants here with near perfect hs & college stats. With that said I’d say that your HS scores/GPA look good, but your college GPA is lacking. Advisors to Internal Transfers recommend having 3.9+. I’d say give it shot as you’ll have nothing to lose except for the application fee. </p>
<p>B/c you are considering leaving Penn for social reasons let me tell what the social life at Stern is like. Social Life at Stern mainly revolves around clubs, bars, apt. parties, restaurants, lounges etc. Stern also throws great programming events - discounted/free tickets to Nets games, Broadways Shows, Mets/Yankees games, Balls, Semi-Formals, Restaurants Nights w/ Alumni, etc. There is also a huge emphasis here on Global Education so most students here travel abroad at least 2-3 times (Once for a Semester Abroad & 1-2 other short term trips). </p>
<p>The city is extremely stimulating, and there are tons of things to do. However if you do not manage your time well you are in trouble b/c Stern is an extremely competitive school. When you have a classroom full of 2250+ SAT & 3.7+ students and you tell them only x% is going to get A’s in this class you can only imagine what kind of academic competition that atmosphere breeds. Now the competition is not of a backstabbing/sabotage kind but rather one that motivates you to give it your all.</p>