<p>I'll be attending an average state school this fall as a freshman. I was wondering if I would have even the slightest chance of transferring into a top university for sophomore year. My high school GPA was pretty bad (3.3, due to incredible slacking) however i took a pretty rigorous course-load (6 aps, 2 honors) and i got a 32 on the ACT. My goal GPA is between a 3.9-4.0, which I think is attainable if I really work hard, and I know my essays will be great since writing is one of the things I do best. I'm also planning on having lots of relevant ECs. Assuming I do all that and complete the required and recommended courses, do I have a chance at the business or economics programs at any of these schools, or would I be better off waiting until junior year to apply?</p>
<p>Penn
Cornell
UVA
Georgetown
Duke
BC
Vandy
UNC
UChicago
NYU
Northwestern
UMich
Colgate
UT-Austin
Notre Dame
Wesleyan
Middlebury
Emory
Hamilton
Rice</p>
<p>Much thanks for your input! :)</p>
<p>The problem with transferring as a sophomore is that admissions committees only have one semester of college work to go on. Given your HS GPA, I would say your chances are pretty slim at all those schools.</p>
<p>Also, you said in an earlier thread that your parents can only pay $1-2,000 per year but your EFC is $24,000. This is a big problem, because there is next to no merit aid available for transfer students.</p>
<p>You need to look at schools that are going to fit within your budget.</p>
<p>What you said about cost is true, however, at the college I’ll be attending in the fall, I have enough money saved up to pay the first two years of tuition. Two years of loans is worth it to me to graduate from a much better program. That’s why I was thinking about transferring out for either sophomore year or more likely, junior year. Since my high school GPA wasn’t very good, I know junior year is a much better bet. Which of these colleges would I stand a decent chance at after 3 semesters of a 3.9-4.0?</p>
<p>Do you know how much two years of tuition/expenses can be at those schools? You’re looking at $80-120,000. You won’t be able to borrow anywhere near that much, because no bank will loan you that amount of money as a college student with no collateral and hardly any income.</p>
<p>Only your parents can borrow that much for college, through a PLUS loan. Are they willing to take on that much debt for you? Can you afford to pay that much debt off?</p>
<p>I believe that your ACT Score gives you a decent chance at many of those universities. However, it is not just your academics that they are looking at, especially at universities like those. Your course load and course selection will be at the forefront of any colleges mind for a transfer applicant. You have to be mimicking the kind of activity you would be doing at one of their universities. Taking rigorous courses, being involved in leadership positions, getting noticed both in the classroom and out. Doing extra-curriculars that relate to your major is one way to stand out as a transfer student as they will definitely be looking for take-charge people who will be able to jump in AND people that know what they want and are pursuing it actively, not just waiting around.
The bottom line is, it doesn’t matter that much WHEN you apply, it matters what you can accomplish before then. I am sure you would not be turned down on your HS GPA alone, especially if you stand out academically and in leadership activities.</p>