I am currently applying to a lot of reach schools (Columbia, Duke, Harvard, UPenn, Georgetown, etc) but due to several external factors, I don’t believe I’ll be accepted to any of these schools (31 ACT). I am not a bad student by any stretch, but my GPA isn’t exactly where I’d want it to be (3.33 unweighted, 4.30 weighted, at a top magnet school in Miami, and with 13 APs by the end of my senior year). The most likely scenario for me at the moment is to attend either the Honors College at FIU or Miami Dade College. My question is, which of these would be the best choice if my plan is to transfer to one of these top schools after the 1-2 years? I honestly dislike both schools, but am willing to attend either if it means transferring out.
Should I go to Miami Dade Honors College or a Florida state school (FIU, UF, FSU, etc.) to transfer?
Seems like your reach schools are pretty big reaches. UF and FSU are both good options - why not go there if admitted??
You have lots of rigor with the AP’s - well done - your Florida options are pretty AP friendly.
What advice are you getting from your guidance counselor about this? Your school surely has years of data about admissions, and can advise you about workable options.
Miami Dade used to be exclusively 2 years. If your potentail major is not one of the programs that now is a 4year degree there, you will need to transfer out. Contact the Transfer Advisor at the branch you would be attending, and ask for advice on preparing to apply at your target institutions. That person has access to information that would be useful for you.