Problem with transferring to Rowan

Hello everyone. I’m a Mech Eng. sophomore looking to transfer to either Rutgers or Rowan for Fall 2017 and find myself in a bit of a snag. I’ve been accepted to Rutgers and while I am sure I could do well there, the smaller campus feel of Rowan is preffered. Rowan’s admissions department wants to wait to see my spring transcripts before making a decision on my application but the problem is I have until May 1 to enroll at Rutgers or lose my spot. Going back and forth through email and phone with the admissions office didn’t really get me anywhere besides transferred to someone else, though I was instructed to call back later today and speak directly with the department head for Mech Eng. Everyone else I have spoken to thus far doesn’t seem to get that rejecting a concrete offer with the possibility of receiving another offer would be preposterous.

The other consideration is financial. I wasn’t offered any merit based aid from Rutgers because they have a policy that excludes non CC transfers. I do not know of such a policy at Rowan and I am hopeful with my stats I may receive something. GPA: 3.44 (improving every semester since enrollment with spring 2017 being 3.7-3.8 and making deans list).

Is there anything further that I can do? Any suggestions for when I speak to the department head?

Realized that I omitted a few important details: im currently enrolled in two courses that Rowan requires completion of before transferring into their engineering program. Since my school is on the “mini-mester” 7 week system I have already completed one of those courses with a B+, and the other one I am expecting either an A or an A-. Spring semester does not end until april 30, with grades typically being post a week later so by the time the grades are posted it will already have been past the rutgers deadline.

According to NACAC, it is only acceptable to double deposit if you are waitlisted at another school and want to ensure enrollment somewhere in case of being turned down. Would this apply for my situation? I’m not waitlisted, or at least not yet, but the reason for double deposit is the same – ensure I have somewhere to go if i’m rejected by Rowan.

Daughter was a Rowan undergrad. Applied to grad school at Vermont (which had a specific program she liked - I think it was a dual MS degree type of thing). Got waitlisted at both, even though Rowan, she thought, was a sure thing!

My wife told her: “You snooze, you lose.” Committed to Rowan, got accepted post haste. Then she got calls from Vermont.

Put yourself in Admissions’ place: You’ve got limited seats and many more applications, and many who match are hedging. Who do you think will get priority?