Should I transfer as an incoming sophomore or junior?

Transfer Students
1

<p>I'm going to be a freshman at a top five public university this year.
Here are my stats:
HS GPA: 4.3 W, 3.9 UW
SAT: 2260
SAT Subject tests: 760-790
ACT: 35
APs: took 10, got two 4's and eight 5's so I'm a National AP scholar? Also a National Merit Finalist because of my psat score
I was involved in ~ 5 (non-honor society) clubs and had leadership positions in two. I also have had significant volunteering experience, work experience, etc.etc. Pretty much well rounded.</p>

<p>Anyways, my HS stats were impressive enough to get me into a top 10 school (according to USNews), but I decided that I would stay in-state for at least a year due to the economy and my family's finances. Since May 1st, I've done in-depth research on my school, visited it a few more times, and talked with some of the students..and realized that I actually really don't like the school I'm going to next year. I have definitely decided that I'm going to transfer, I just don't know when. Should I try to transfer during my first year or second year at my current school? Which option would increase my transfer chances to schools like Brown? Let's just assume that I'm going to have a 4.0 with 17-19 credits every semester and going to be heavily involved in 3 college activities, etc.</p>

<p>If I transfer after just one year: ...I'll have more time to be acquainted with my new school, I'll definitely be able to complete all of the gen reqs and my major in 4 years, it'll be easier to make new long-lasting friends, etc. etc.
If I transfer after two years: ...my HS stats won't be looked at as in depth (good thing?), I might have trouble trying to finish my major in time, and I might get too attached to my current school? (and yes, I know I know, I AM going to give my current school a third chance and see if I find a niche or something)</p>

<p>I tried searching for this question, but I guess either I don't know what key words to search for or there aren't enough threads on this question: is it easier to transfer after one or two years (given decent/good HS stats) into top schools?</p>

2

<p>you have a great chance of transferring in as a sophomore.</p>

<p>but since you said you want to save $$$$, I would consider staying for two years at your state school.</p>

3

<p>Did you apply to B or equally selective colleges as a fr? If so, what were the results? </p>

<p>Your HS record is very good, so IMO it is worth trying for a soph transfer if your current school doesn’t work out. </p>

<p>

</p>

<p>I’m not sure why you say this, your HS record looks very good.</p>

<p>Since you mentioned concern about your family’s finances, there are two factors you should know about transfer admissions to B:</p>

<p>It admits transfers on a need aware basis, so whether or not you apply for FA might make a difference in your admissions decision:</p>

<p><a href=“https://financialaid.brown.edu/Cmx_Content.aspx?cpId=56[/url]”>https://financialaid.brown.edu/Cmx_Content.aspx?cpId=56&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>And limited information shows that this may indeed be the case:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/transfer-students/936056-brown-transfer-applicant-survey-fa-need-aware-admissions.html?highlight=need+aware[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/transfer-students/936056-brown-transfer-applicant-survey-fa-need-aware-admissions.html?highlight=need+aware&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>B has limited FA for transfer students:</p>

<p>[Brown</a> Admission: Transfer Students](<a href=“Undergraduate Admission | Brown University”>Undergraduate Admission | Brown University)</p>

4

<p>But after this first semester at college, I will have over 60 credits (college classes + AP credits)…so after my third semester (if I were to transfer next year) I would have about 100 credits…is this okay? Will colleges (and I just used Brown as an example – I’m planning to apply to others as well) look down upon me having so many credits? Will I just lose all of my AP credits, or…? Sorry, not really sure how the whole credits-transferring-over thing works.</p>

5

<p>^ Most, if not all, elite colleges require junior transfers to be enrolled for at least two years before they graduate. So whether you transfer in with 60 or 100 credits won’t really matter, and elite colleges certainly won’t look down on you for having too many credits.</p>

6

<p>Some colleges will let you transfer with more than 60 units but will limit the number you can get credit for to 60. But there are others that will not permit you to even apply as a transfer with more than 2 yrs of credit, Yale is an example. However, most schools count only post-HS college credits. If you have a question, you should call up the admissions office at each school and ask, that’s the only way to know for sure.</p>