I posted this in the other thread but thought I’d post in the transfer-specific thread as well.
I am a sophomore at Clemson University taking a semester off and looking to transfer next fall (I will pretty much be repeating my sophomore year as I’m changing majors)
Stats
Honors Student
College GPA: 4.0
H.S GPA 3.5 (weighted as my school doesn’t do unweighted)
ACT: 27
AP/ IB none as my high school didn’t really offer them
ECs
Nothing spectacular, board member of a local family-run charity
Member of a few outreach/ volunteer groups and a few sports clubs
Schools:
Definitely Applying
University of Miami
Tulane
George Washington
Maybe applying:
NYU
Northwestern
Colgate
Safeties:
CU Boulder
Arizona State
Let me know what y’all think I’d really appreciate it!
UMiami and NYU are notorious for not granting significant aid. While UMiami does offer merit aid for academically prestigious transfer applicants, keep in mind that even the maximum amount does not come near to covering the cost of attendance as an out of state student. Meanwhile, NYU is unreasonably stingy with aid. Will you be able to afford these schools?
You’re a strong sophomore applicant. I’d encourage you to apply to Northwestern/NYU, assuming cost isn’t an issue. Are there any other reach schools you’re considering?
I’m also considering applying to BU and Pitzer, but at the moment I feel like my list is all reach schools and I need to find more realistic options. I’m not too worried about the financials as I qualify for the GI bill and many schools have yellow ribbon programs which significantly reduce the cost of attendance.
I am most worried that I will be negatively affected by my high school grades, but there’s nothing I can really do about that now. How would you say my chances are for Miami/ Tulane? I applied to both for freshmen admission and was rejected at Tulane and waitlisted at Miami, not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.
I think you have a great chance at Miami/Tulane. I think you’re underestimating yourself just a bit as a transfer applicant, if I’m honest. I think you also have a great chance at Boston University.
Keep in mind that at this point, high school grades/SAT/ACT aren’t particularly relevant.
What is your major?
My major at CU is Politcal Science, but I am applying to most schools Communications programs. I am just worried about the test scores because I did particularly bad in math and have not needed to take a math or science class yet at my current school as there was other classes that I felt I should take first in order to be eligible for upper level classes in my major. I’m hoping this won’t be too much of an issue but don’t want to get my hopes up for no reason either.
Some schools on your list (eg. UMiami, etc.) don’t even require you to send in scores, and even then, it’s not really relevant to your application.
I think it’s fine that you’ve put off math/science prerequisites. Though obviously you’re going to have to get them done eventually, it’s totally reasonable to focus on your current major courses.
If you’re open to other schools, I’d recommend UNC Chapel Hill (large, active student campus, strong alumni network, great for your major), UIUC (again, large active student campus, near Chicago), and USC.
Unfortunately I’m re-applying to Miami and Tulane, so they already have the test scores. The only one that concerns me is the math section, because when I say bad I mean I got a 20. Unfortunately I took the ACT September of my senior year before I took geometry, so I’m sure I would have done better had I taken the classes that would prepare me for it earlier.
I am open to other schools but am more worried about finding a few safeties I like, since if I get into Miami I will almost definitely go there. I think under different circumstances I’d like USC, but I really don’t have the type of money or connections to keep up with the social life there, and I’d be lying if I said that didn’t matter to me at least a little. I’m planning on applying to Belmont and University of San Diego (which is private) and I’m trying to avoid large public schools, especially southern ones, as I had such a bad experience at my current school.