Hey everyone,
General question just because I couldn’t find it anywhere else:
Has anyone, specifically those applying to top schools with acceptance rates of under 10% (reach for most people), done anything extra to set themselves apart aside from their application and visiting the campus? For example, I talked to an admissions counselor on the phone, described my profile, and she told me a weak point (the fact that I have 6 semesters of college completed before transferring) I responded by writing her a personalized letter further explaining my interest in the school and how my weak point is actually a strength and doesn’t hinder my ability to succeed there.
Anyone else?
First, colleges with extremely low acceptance rates like that are reaches for everyone except Malala.
You are already in as a junior transfer to chapel hill. That’s a great school. I seriously doubt any college in the top 20 will accept a student transferring in as a senior. So what college did you call? If the AO said it was a weak point, she’s basically saying forget it. Just read the school’s transfer pages,MIT probably states clearly what they are willing to consider. Go to UNCCH and do well. It’s an excellent school. Go to a top 20 for grad school.
@Lindagaf I understand what you are saying, except I am still transferring as a junior; I will just be repeating that year. The only specific restrictions come in the form of transferable credits. The school was Boston College. Saying that just because the AO is saying it is a weak point can’t possibly mean forget it. That is like saying just because a 3.2 HS GPA is a weak point, you may as well forget it. You should be able to make up for it in other ways.
Profile:
NDSU - Finance
College GPA - 3.97
HS GPA - 4.0 (valedictorian)
ACT 31
Dean’s list 6/6
Beta Gamma Sigma Member
EC - student managed investment fund
finance commissioner on SG
treasurer of fraternity
student rep on financial advisory board
president of entrepreneurship club
Internships - accounting for non-profit
financial analysis for real estate firm
finance for manufacturing company
I am not an AO. It’s not me you need to convince. Good luck, where ever you end up.
BC isn’t a <10% school. (Not generally, when we use the term.)
And asking “anything extra to set themselves apart aside from their application and visiting the campus” (that’s pretty limited) and then citing an interest letter isn’t “it.”
“…the AO is saying it is a weak point can’t possibly mean forget it.” No. But CC is full of kids living on a thread of hope, rather than facing issues and their chances rationally. And, most often, for colleges that want kids who think and process. And your regional rep is your primary gatekeeper.
The top privates aren’t generally looking for transfers to repeat a path (a year of it) that they’ve already taken. Plus, unilateral is always something of a risk. You need to understand what matters.
Just don’t focus too much on the crazy hard schools. There’s plenty of schools between Ivy (and Ivy equivalents) and NDSU that would be good match/reach schools to apply to.
@lookingforward maybe you were confused by my original question.
CSOM at BC has an acceptance rate of 2%, and that’s not the only school I am applying to. And it’s inherent that my question was regarding anything in addition to the face value metrics that AO’s can observe (application, campus visits). Are you saying a letter isn’t extra? I am not saying it is going to make or break me, I am “facing my issues and chances rationally” by asking advice on application supplements, whether tangible or not. My profile is ranks well above average for other transfers, I am simply looking for other ways to make an impression.
OP, did you carefully look at the transfer admissions website?
it says that “Of the 120 credit hours required for graduation, a maximum of 60 credits may be transferred from another college or university.”
THAT is why the admissions counselor said that for you to be trying to transfer after already taking way more than the maximum of 60 units was a “weak point”.
Transfer students have to take 2 years, ie 4 semesters worth of classes in order to graduate. Most top private colleges have the same 2 year minimum enrollment requirement for transfer students.
“Saying that just because the AO is saying it is a weak point can’t possibly mean forget it. That is like saying just because a 3.2 HS GPA is a weak point, you may as well forget it. You should be able to make up for it in other ways.”
this is what is called “magical thinking”. An adult who is in the position to make a judgement on your application, tells you that you have a “weak point” , which is a diplomatic way of saying your application will be rejected, and you want to ignore it?
Just because you want something to happen doesnt mean it will happen.
Its time to grow where you are planted.
Let me switch your analogy that a 3.2 HS GPA can be made up in another way for a top 20. I’m less than 6-0 tall and can’t shoot a basketball better than the average JV second string forward. There is nothing I can do to make up for that to play in the NBA (or D-1 for that matter). My desire is irrelevant.
@menloparkmom I’m confused as to why you think “weak point” automatically alludes to rejection. That kind of attitude is fine for people who are willing to throw in the towel when faced with a challenge. Look at people that get deferred for EA or waitlisted, then send a letter of intent and get accepted. It isn’t “magical thinking.” They put in extra effort and emphasized their enthusiasm for the opportunity to win a decision. I don’t know where the assumption came from that I think this is going to work out because I want it to; this thread was asking advice on how to take action.
Also, yes, I know they only accept a certain amount of credits. I mentioned earlier that I am prepared for another two years.