Potential Transfer Student Seeking Advice

Test Preparation
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I'm currently in my freshman year at a university, and due to a number of reasons, I am seriously considering transferring. Originally, I intended to retake the SAT this January, because because I haven't had much time to practice, and because I was unable to register at a certain test center in time. (I found that I performed better in the environment, and the new test center requires a long trip uptown from downtown New York, so the matter of reaching the center in time adds stress, and I would certainly have less sleep). The only reason I wanted to retake the test was so that I could prove myself in mathematics.</p>

<p>Original Composite Score: Reading: 700, Writing, 770, Math 630.</p>

<p>I was always very slow (which reminds me that perhaps I should have investigated special accommodations), but I believe that I have improved after having taken AP Calculus in high school. Unfortunately colleges didn't see that I improved in the area.</p>

<p>I'm more aware of the SAT tricks, I haven't practiced the other two sections specifically.
I have only taken the online test on the collegeboard website ---> according to it, I might have gotten 700 in math, which is a significant improvement.</p>

<p>Still, all signs seem to point to the obvious: I'm unprepared, and am likely to make myself look bad if I should even make an attempt. There's much risk involved.</p>

<p>Anyway, my first semester GPA is going to be pretty good (I know that I have received mostly As and A-es on individual assignments), so there is the chance that the SAT isn't as indicative of my strengths as is my GPA. However, I haven't been allowed to take a math class.</p>

<p>Regarding transferring, I think that I'm at a huge disadvantage, as I haven't been engaged in community service or clubs. One reason that I am considering transferring (among others, especially financial reasons) is that I don't feel very comfortable or safe in my school's environment, and so I focus on my work without developing extracurricular activities. The school seems to lack a good number of activities that I would enjoy as well. Thus, I believe that I am trapped; I wish to transfer because I cannot take advantage of my school, but to transfer, I must take advantage of my school.</p>

<p>My theoretical transfer essay would be highly negative at this stage (not advised, but the absolute truth) and taking the SAT at this point would probably be a bad idea.</p>

<p>----> To be clear, I am at a very good school, but I am getting the sense that it isn't right for me, that I would be able to take a larger role in another school's community, and that I would be happier if I were in a different environment. I am either staying where I am, or I am applying to very competitive schools (two or three at most). At this point in time, I do wish that admissions officers would take into consideration that financial issues and certain attributes of my school are preventing me from being as strong a candidate as they want; the problem isn't me per se. </p>

<p>I am looking forward to responses so that, perhaps, I can find a way to proceed.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

2

<p>I’m still hoping for responses. Thank you.</p>

3

<p>When are you planning to apply for transfer? Next Fall Term? Then give yourself more time to think it over. Don’t rush. What if the new school does not fit you either? What will you do then?</p>

4

<p>I would apply for next fall, and I have an absolute top – very competitive. I’ve already visited and acquired information. I applied regular decision but I wasn’t accepted → I regret not including certain information on my application, and I also regret not applying early decision.</p>

<p>One big reason that I feel obligated to attempt transferring is that my school unfortunately does not meet financial need. There is a ridiculously large amount of pressure on me.
The schools to which I would potentially transfer meet need, so they aren’t random selections.</p>

<p>The question is whether I should forget about the SAT or not.</p>

5

<p>Some colleges will not consider SATs taken while you are in college. You need to check on that first.</p>

6

<p>I’ll be less vague; I would like to try for Columbia University, which does accept those scores. At this point taking the test would probably look bad though. College and other activities have kept me from practicing seriously. I’ve only looked into interesting (more advanced) math topics (that won’t be on the SAT) for fun.</p>

<p>So…it looks as though I have little to no chance for the school. All I have is the AP Calculus AB 5 I received after the rejection, in addition to a 4 on AP Physics B. Those two scores are all I have to demonstrate that I’m not necessarily weak in math. I am just not good under time pressure unfortunately.</p>

<p>Irrespective of test scores, I’m not sure why I think I have a chance, considering that I haven’t been able to take initiative because of the discomfort I feel in my environment, and because of all of the time I spend on the work itself. Yet, once again, they only want the type of student that I cannot easily become in my current environment. My situation seems to be a paradoxical mess.</p>