Potential Transfer; Some Q's

Transfer Students
1

<p>Okay, so I got my college/ university decisions back and I got hit pretty hard (I was three for eight! ugh). What really killed me were my standardized test scores (and okay, maybe the GPA too...). I'm a terrible test taker (and It sounds like an excuse, but I really do have test anxiety). I submitted my applications with a 25 ACT and a 1650 SAT (570 Math, 560 Reading, 520 Writing).</p>

<p>Just as an overview, I thought my applications were pretty well rounded:</p>

<p>-GPA roughly 3.67
-4 APs, an the rest Honors (the highest level classes I could take)
-Class rank roughly 15 (My class has 100 students and this year was extremely competitive, 5 4.0's in the top 10),
-Tons of extracurriculars: MUN (won awards), XC Varsity Captain, Track and Field (Varsity), Theater (lead parts, a musical and a drama per year), Vice president of the school, National Honor Society, Editor of a literary and arts Magazine, 250+ hours of community service, International Travel/ International community service, Music (voice and instrument, accepted to regional level music competitions).
- All EC's done for 4 years.
- I can write a kick butt essay.</p>

<ul>
<li>(Additionally- I recently won 5 awards for the regional Scholastic Art and Writing Competition, and 1 National Gold Medal for the National Scholastic Art and Writing Competition. I couldn't add this to my application, but it might be an important aspect to add for a transfer application)</li>
</ul>

<p>Anyhow:</p>

<p>Of the schools I was accepted to, I've been debating between Clark University or Syracuse University. Honestly, they are both good in their respective ways, but I'm not really psyched about either of them. They really were my fall-back schools.</p>

<p>I know it's wicked early to be thinking about Transferring, but I like to keep my options open and think ahead of the game. Regardless of whether I might end up actually liking either Clark or Syracuse, I just want to know a couple things about a potential future transfer:</p>

<p>1) Is it possible (or wise) to take a standardized test again after I graduate? (I really do think I can get a better score the second time around on the ACT).</p>

<p>2) If I were to really bust my butt through my first year of college, would applying to schools such as Colby College, Boston University, Northeastern, or Tufts be plausible? (I really had my heart set on Tufts..)</p>

<p>3) I really don't want to base my school decision on this factor... but- Would the school I choose to attend in the fall give me any leverage in my transfer application? (I.e. Would going to Syracuse give me a better chance of being accepted to some of my first choice schools?)</p>

<p>Don't get me wrong... I mean, I'm just a student that recently faced a bunch of rejections in the past couple weeks. Maybe I'll end up loving Clark or Syracuse in the end, but for now I can't help but have the word "transfer" surging through my mind.</p>

<p>Anyone out there that can ease my tension?</p>

2

<p>bump? bump?</p>

3

<p>Just another bump…</p>

4

<ol>
<li><p>Yes, and completely not uncommon. If your scores are below 2000 on the SAT, it’s usually advised, at least, to bump them past that arbitrary threshold.
SATs and HS stats are scrutinized more for Sophomore transfers than for Junior transfers.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, it would be plausible. Try to maintain above a 3.5 GPA, but don’t just take GPA booster classes. Take challenging ones where your work will be reflected in the relationships you build with your professors (who will ultimately write you your important recommendation letters). Also, try to stay involved outside the classroom by doing other activities. Just as much as colleges like 4.0s, they also like individuals that have community presence, and they love individuals that can balance both.</p></li>
<li><p>I doubt it. Your decision to attend the schools you’ve been accepted in should matter more on the programs and opportunities that are available there and how you can use them IF you aren’t able/willing to transfer. Just make the most of whichever one connects to you more; after all, you at least want to be happy where you’re going for a year.</p></li>
</ol>

5

<ol>
<li>Yes. A lot of people do it. If you think you should then go for it.</li>
<li>Yes. Do a lot of the stuff you did to make your applications look good the first time. Take a few challenging courses.</li>
<li>I really don’t know.</li>
</ol>

<p>LOL and don’t think its bad to be thinking of transferring. I’m a Freshman and am waiting to here back on my transfer application. From the moment I came to my school I knew I was going to transfer. lol, I told my parents as they drove me up here. (And yet they were suprised this January when I told them again).</p>

6

<p>Thanks Zester and Marco117! That’s extremely helpful.</p>

7

<p>My best friends attends Clark and loves it. I visit her frequently. If you have any questions, feel free to ask :)</p>