<p>I'm a little frustrated with myself. I'm headed to school next year, but my options are limited by the schools I applied to. I didn't consider that my interests and my needs could change by the time I eventually enrolled in college. I should have applied to a more diverse list of schools, with more majors offered, but now I'll be at least initially headed to a small liberal arts school. None of the schools I was accepted to offer the major that I'm most interested in. </p>
<p>I'm curious about the transfer process - what do students do to prepare? Is it smart to take/re-take SAT or SATIIs? The most prestigious school I was accepted to is top 20 on the USNWR liberal arts list, but I may be considering one or two Ivies (among other state schools and tech schools with the program I want). I've heard that it's nearly impossible to transfer to an Ivy if you don't already attend and Iv League school, is this true? Should I narrow my list to schools that are typically considered "less prestigious" then where I'm coming from? </p>
<p>I'm mostly looking at schools that I didn't apply to initially, though there is one school (Dartmouth - already a long shot) that I applied to and was rejected by this year. Does that pretty much guarantees a transfer rejection? I scored a 34 on the ACT, though I did not have a high school GPA - I'm sure college GPA is more valuable to the admission committee anyway. </p>
<p>In general - what do schools look for in transfer students? </p>
<p>Typically the same counselors who handle Freshman handle transfers, and typically they’re looking for the same things: A well-balanced student with demonstrated ability (and whatever hooks s/he may have). The only real difference is you need a compelling reason to transfer, on top of everything else. </p>
<p>And yes, it’s impossible or nearly impossible to transfer to a lot of Ivies. The stats are available online if you search around, but the chances of getting into an ivy as a transfer are slim-to-none (Harvard only accepted 20 students last year I believe). But obviously, not every Ivy is Harvard, it’s difficult to get into an ivy transfer or not, and obviously plenty of people do get in. So there’s that.</p>
<p>Don’t retake the SATs or ACT. And try and take general Ed courses that will transfer, while still being demanding. </p>
<p>Also, probably give your school a chance, a lot of people who plan on transferring end up not even filling out an application if they give their current school a real chance.</p>
<p>No reason to take more tests w/a 34; Subject tests are not taken once in college.</p>
<p>They look for the same thing in transfers as fr admits (grades, test scores (varies w/the school), rigor of coursework and dedication to interesting ECs). In addition, you need a good reason for transferring.</p>
<p>To add onto what they said, schools consider high school GPA, btw, and they weigh it quite heavily if you’re transferring right after your freshman year, going into sophomore year. However if your GPA was good enough to get into a top 20 liberal arts, I have no doubt your GPA won’t help you get into a good school in the transfer process as long as your college GPA is up there as well!</p>
<p>Thank you all! I’m hoping that things work out at the school I’m headed to next year, but I’d like to put myself in a good position just in case.
I imagine going to a high school that didn’t have grades (therefor no HS GPA) may have played a role in my rejection from some schools, as did lower than desirable (~700) SATII scores. Hopefully a strong freshman year would balance my application.
Thanks again!</p>