Hi everyone, I’m from California and I go to a private liberal arts college in the state. I’m thinking about transferring into the FALL 2017 term. I’m currently a freshman. I don’t know what schools I want to transfer to, so I was wondering if someone could give me some schools based on what I’m looking for/what I have.
My current things:
Asian Female
HS GPA (9-12) 3.7 UW/4.15W
Old SAT super score: 2240 (690CR/800M/750W/11E)
ACT (might retake): 33 (35E/35M/28R/32S/31W)
SAT 2: 800 Chem, 770 Math 2 (is this bad? I want to retake?)
APs: (5) Chem, APUSH, Chinese, Calc BC/AB subscore, (4) Lit, Lang, Gov, (3) Physics 1, Macroecon
had a few leadership things in high school, a few awards, played a few sports.
College GPA currently unknown, but I’m taking one of the most rigorous course loads possible, and I’m expecting B+ (unlikely) to A grades for the end of the semester. I’m part of an Asian American partnership program, writing for a school publication, and doing charity/volunteer work. Planning to be a chem major and do research over the summer.
What I’m looking for in a school:
Academically challenging (but if there is grade deflation, please not too much)
Urbanish setting (I can’t stand to live in the middle of nowhere, but I would like a city with good late night food and cute stores to access)
Literally anywhere is fine EXCEPT the Great Plains.
At least 8,000 student population (I’m flexible)
Good science department with ample research possibilities for UNDERGRADS
Accessible professors
I don’t need financial aid.
Large campus
Housing guaranteed (don’t need, but would be nice)
Right now I’m thinking Northwestern, Vanderbilt, USC (legacy), Rice, and a few Ivies. Any suggestions would be lovely!
I’d suggest finishing your first semester before considering transferring. What do you find limiting about your school?
I’d suggest optimizing for getting A’s in all your courses over retaking your ACT score. This is more important than anything else, including ECs in college. I’d very strongly suggest not retaking the ACT. Your score was excellent and these scores are considered less for transfer students than their current college performance (which is a real indicator of future college performance).
If you find your school a good intellectual and social fit and are transferring only to seek more prestige, I’d not suggest it.
Did you get accepted or wait listed at these schools the first time? If you were on the waitlist and if your college GPA is high, then your probability of acceptance as a transfer is high.
Of all the schools listed, Penn, Cornell, Northwestern and USC (the last two not Ivies) are the most transfer friendly, but Ivies as a whole are not that transfer friendly. If you’re looking to move to a larger university with more research, why not the UCs?
@frontpage My parents wouldn’t let me do that. It’s super complicated, and I don’t like to talk about it. UC’s don’t let in sophomore transfers, and they let >90% of transfer spots to CCC students.
Knowing very little about your intentions, I’d say Johns Hopkins, UW-Seattle, NYU, and Northeastern might also be ok for you. More specifically, why do you want to transfer to an elite school? You should explain that (you don’t need to provide specific details, but at least a general idea) if you want people to help you.
Your parents wouldn’t let you do what? What do you find limiting about your school?
You might not be able to transfer to Berkeley or UCLA (I’m not sure, either way; I don’t think it’s an impossibility), but what about UCSD, UCSB, or UCI? They are fine schools. What made you decide to change your mind and decide to transfer? I’m sure you would have gotten into some good UCs with your stats.
@frontpage My father is an elitist (our income bracket is uh, very high) and he refuses to send me to some UC’s. I just feel like I could find a better STEM geared program at some other school, along with a better environment both politically and physically. My school is very humanities focused, small, and just not my type of town.
If you’re STEM focused, Johns Hopkins and UW-Seattle are great options that will prepare you very well for grad school. JHU is a smaller, more selective school. And UW-Seattle is a large public with great STEM. If you want to transfer to one of the Ivies, I’d suggest hanging on for a year and a half and keeping your GPA as high as you can. It’s will still not be even close to a sure deal though. Take advantage of all the opportunities offered in your current school, ask for help if you need it, and make sure you’re adjusting well.
Have you been seeing a counselor at your college’s health center for your depression and anxiety? I’m sorry your parents aren’t receptive when you try to talk about what’s bothering you, but the people at your college should be happy to help. You need to give it time, though. You’ve only been at college for a few weeks. I’d focus on your mental health first and pursue transferring later.