Stanford Transfer Chances

Transfer Students
1

<p>I'm not 100% sure I'm going to apply as a transfer, but I AM curious as to what my chances are for Stanford (and maybe UPenn Wharton or CAS, not sure yet). Thanks!</p>

<p>SAT Scores: 2170/2400
SAT II Scores: 770 Math IIC; 760 Biology M</p>

<p>HS GPA: 4.54 Weighted; 3.88 Unweighted
HS Rank: Top 5% - 10%</p>

<p>Northwestern GPA: 3.70 - 3.80 Unweighted
Prospective Major: Economics</p>

<p>HS EC's: Very involved in multiple activities. This includes like science fairs, robotics, music competitions, student council etc.
HS Awards: Regional awards in science, robotics, music, school awards, Rensselaer Medal, National Merit Commended, AP Scholar, etc.
HS Leadership: Music- concertmaster, robotics- captain, secretary, student council -representative, school clubs-officer, and other school-related activities.
AP Scores: 4's and 5's on 9 AP Exams.</p>

<p>Northwestern EC's: 3 leadership positions in multicultural and business-focused organizations, music, community service activities, etc. (I don't want to be too specific, since it would easily give away who I am.)</p>

<p>NOT a URM.
Will send supplement for music.
I am also from the Palo Alto area, so perhaps that may play a factor.</p>

<p>*Have never applied to Stanford, not even for Freshman Admission.</p>

2

<p>You probably don’t have a very good shot at Stanford…you’re applying as a sophomore transfer, so your HS grades/SATs count for more (and I don’t see anything spectacular). Further, your college GPA isn’t great. You don’t really have any utterly distinguishing qualities or ECs, and Stanford admits roughly 1-2% of transfer students. Unless you have extraordinary musical talent for someone your age, I don’t know if I’d submit a music supplement (at least, this is what I’ve been told for top schools). In terms of UPenn Wharton, I think they heavily weight work experience and completion of degree requirements at your transfer institution (meaning you’re on track to complete their degree). Transfer rate into UPenn Wharton is difficult as well, and you’d probably have a better shot at UPenn CAS. If you’re really shooting for these top schools, I might wait another year to strengthen your application a little more. </p>

<p>Sorry if I was a little harsh, just trying to give you my honest opinion. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Would re-taking the SAT be a good idea? I have enough time to prepare and give it another shot.</p>

4

<p>I haven’t really figured out whether it’s a good idea to re-take the SATs in college. I’ve heard people argue for both sides. I would check to see if some of the schools you want to apply to accept SATs taken during college. If you’re applying as a sophomore, and you do significantly better, I don’t see how a high score could hurt you.</p>

5

<p>I’m thinking about re-taking it then, since CB allows you to choose which scores to send now (new rule I heard?). Not sure what exactly is considered impressive for an EC in college for someone who’s just a freshman right now. Any ideas? Thanks for the help though!</p>

6

<p>You need to read the S thread from last year:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/transfer-students/467805-stanford-2008-transfer-25.html?highlight=2008+stanford[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/transfer-students/467805-stanford-2008-transfer-25.html?highlight=2008+stanford&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Particularly post #374. Bourne, who was accepted said:</p>

<p>"They took 20/1200 approx.</p>

<p>11/20 from JC’s/Cc’s.</p>

<p>4 non trads I believe?"</p>

<p>As a freshman applicant your HS record and test scores would have been on the lower range of competitive for S, as a soph transfer applicant (for the reasons spartan gave), your chances would be even less due to the lower acceptance rate and high number of CC and non-trads that they take.</p>

7

<p>I think your stats are fine. That’s not going to be the issue. The problem therein lies in the reason for your wanting to transfer. I’ve seen you on the Northwestern board for quite some time and you have always seemed to have a positive impression of the place. So why do you want to transfer? Diversity is most likely not the issue as Northwestern is one of the most diverse schools in the country. Social life isn’t likely to be an issue as NU offers you the Greek scene (if you’re so inclined), the artsy/pseudo-intellectual scene (if you’re into that), and everything else in between. Weather and city life can’t be an issue because you’re considering transferring to Penn (need I say more?). So I assume it comes down to one thing and one thing only: brand name. If you’re transferring for purely prestige reasons, you’re going to go through an enormous waste of time (retaking the SATs, seriously?) for all the wrong reasons. Yes, I know the economy is tanking and you think you can sidestep the mess by transferring “up” to Stanford or Wharton and that will greatly improve your prospects of getting that coveted banking job. But really take a moment to step outside of yourself on this - “am I transferring for the right reason?” Northwestern is a great school, with a beautiful campus and a great student body (I’ve been there a handful of times). Northwestern places better on the Street than Stanford and frankly your chances of getting into Wharton are slim just because it’s so competitive. Plus, Evanston + Chicago > Philly and Palo Alto (no offense to your home city). So with all those factors clearly laid out, is there a significant value-add to transferring to Stanford or UPenn? N-O.</p>

<p>This is coming from a former transfer. PM if you have any questions.</p>

8

<p>I actually have an issue with the sense of community here at the university. I really like the location and the academics. Those aren’t issues. It’s parts of the student body that really don’t seem to impress me very much. I’m also interested in working in CA after college, so I was thinking that perhaps Stanford would allow me to do that more so than Northwestern, if I wanted to do IB in SF or something. Don’t get me wrong though. I still really like NU and wouldn’t have any problem staying here for all 4 years, which is why I’m not absolutely set on transferring yet.</p>

9

<p>Bump? Thanks…</p>

10

<p>YO! ED mate, </p>

<p>IT’s me, haha I searched “stanford transfer from NU” and saw this thread. LOL. </p>

<p>Idk , I 've been in Stanford SUmmer college in 2007, I didn’t like Stanford because I thought it is DRY " DRY means like not as beautiful as Northwestern in terms of campus, as u know, lag lake is piece of dry land". So I ED Northwestern! </p>

<p>Now I kinda.regretted.it.</p>

<p>since I am in engineering and things kinda stick, not really as flexible and as fun as I thought.</p>

<p>My mind set is always back to the fun times I 've had in Stanford and when it compares to what I have right now. I would say . It sucks here in NU.</p>

<p>COM’ON your GPA is like 1.0 above me, hahaha I am really proud of you!
and you should be proud of yourself too! being mentally and physically challenged here @ NU is not easy to get a 3.8 =)</p>

<p>IDK. I wouldn’t apply before sophomore year kicks in! COM’ON ! give it one more year!</p>

<p>I am sure NU has something for each of us .</p>

11

<p>I think being from Palo Alto works against you. They are already overrun with kids from that area they have to take because they are children of ‘friends’ of the college. You would do better at other top schools.</p>