Hey guys, I’ve been thinking some about where I really want to go… I’m currently a freshman at UPenn in the College of Arts and Sciences. My major is pretty undecided, but I think I’m leaning more towards STEM fields (biology, engineering, or anything that I might become interested in). I’m from Washington State, about two hours north of Seattle.
Now, for the longest time, Stanford was my dream school, along with possibly Yale. I was rejected by both during the freshman application process. Should I consider applying to transfer to either or both of them this spring?
One major thing for me thinking about Stanford is that I’ve really been missing the West Coast culture. It’s been fun here at Penn, but the East Coast has its major differences from the West. There also just aren’t many Washingtonians here at all – only somewhere around 15 for the class of 2021. I’d be closer to home if I went to Stanford, which would make it easier for me to go visit my family during breaks (plane tickets can be costly). I’ve also heard from many students here at Penn that Penn’s mathematics program isn’t the strongest, which obviously is a bit of a problem if I chose to do a major with an emphasis on mathematics. I know that Stanford, on the other hand, has very strong STEM programs in general.
I don’t have as much of a yearning to go to Yale as I do Stanford, but I still have it as an idea.
Any input would be highly appreciated! Thank you guys so much!
I don’t think it helps to either spend more energy or time on colleges you applied this past cycle, especially Stanford and Yale. One, they take so few transfers each year; Two, they very rarely accept someone from another top program like an Ivy League…transfers are predominantly geared towards first generation from community colleges.
If I were you, I would do the following: (1) Embrace Penn wholeheartedly, at least for now; (2) Give it a chance…you may feel differently in a few weeks or months; While the Penn’s math department may not be the top, given its overall strength, it makes zero difference at the undergraduate level. It is strong enough, if not more than strong enough for someone who wants to major in mathematics; BTW, there is a good chance you may not major in math end of the day…so many change major at least once; (3) Given your interest in coming back to the west-coast, you should look at other west-coast options down the road, if you still feel like transferring. Given you got into Penn, I assume you have a strong profile.
I’m afraid, at least in my perspective, that your reasoning for wanting to transfer isn’t very convincing.
" I’ve really been missing the West Coast culture."
“I’ve also heard from many students here at Penn that Penn’s mathematics program isn’t the strongest,”
"Now, for the longest time, Stanford was my dream school, "
If these are your most compelling reasons, then I don’t think you’ll persuade an equally, if not more selective, university to admit you as a transfer student.
Being closer to your family is a certainly a factor, but overall I’d agree with @fivesages ’ advice.
Agreeing with the above.
Noting that you are willing to stay on the east coast if you can ‘upgrade’ to Yale.
As for the math program- unless you are interested in theoretical maths you will find that the math dept is just fine for any of the other STEM subjects.
You are what, 3 weeks into the first term? you haven’t even really tried dancing with the one that brought you yet. Let it go. They said No. It is exceptionally unlikely that you are a different enough candidate now than you were last year that they would change their minds.
You can be very sure that there are lots of other people in your class with unrequited love for Stanford, Yale, etc. They are just as smart and ambitious as you are, and are worthy of being your friends. Go find them
Transfer admissions for the Ivy League / Top Institutions is much more competitive than freshman admissions. and as @collegemom3717 states, if you weren’t accepted, and you don’t have a compelling narrative to explain exactly why you want to transfer, then you’re going to be denied, almost guaranteed.
You’re at a fantastic school, and I don’t need to tell you that you’re in a better position than most–UPenn has a lot to offer, and the only way you’ll be able to make the most out of your college experience is if you seize the opportunity currently at hand.
As it stands, as @AGoodFloridian said, your reasons aren’t compelling. I highly recommend you push the thoughts of transferring out of your mind and capitalize on the experiences UPenn has to offer. Go through this semester or your first year making an effort to have the best time possible. Then, perhaps revisit the prospect of transferring.