Suggestions for Schools to Transfer to?

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hi, everyone, I'm getting conflicting messages on where to transfer to. Mom thinks UCI is a match school for me, my dad thinks that UCLA is a "safe" school and that I can get into an Ivy League school (in his dreams), and my counselor is trying to prep me for Berkeley and UCLA.</p>

<p>Anyways, perhaps you can give me more suggestions on what schools may matches and reaches for me? I'm looking into private schools like Brown, Columbia, Barnard, UPenn, and UVA, but really, I'm getting so many ideas that I don't even understand where I should even consider.</p>

<p>Here are some stats:</p>

<p>English major, but interested in getting a minor in psychology</p>

<p>Female, half-Asian and half-Caucasian</p>

<p>Currently in a community college
High School: an online private school (will be explained below)</p>

<p>No rank in high school... didn't offer one</p>

<p>SAT (just took it earlier this month): 1940 (600 math, 640 critical reading, 700 writing... not great, I know)
Plan to take at least SAT English Lit and World History, maybe US History</p>

<p>Currently have 17.5 units completed in college. These units are from when I was still in high school. However, I have a 4.0 unweighted GPA in high school and 4.0 GPA so far in college</p>

<p>Excellent professor recommendations</p>

<p>Other stuff:
In the Honors Program and Psi Beta. I Plan to be in Phi Theta Kappa next semester.
Peer mentor in college (started this semester)
Volunteered at a library this summer and tutored. I have volunteered for a few other things, but nothing spectacular.
English Club secretary
Won second in college's writing contest
Got into second round in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards
Participated in a research conference (and am now a published author that way)
Wrote four novels in my spare time (a boatload of other creative works... but nothing published... yet)
Co-wrote an article in the newest edition of the newsletter
National American Miss state and national finalist (won fourth runner-up in talent in the state competition, won another award in the state level, and first runner-up in academic achievement nationally)</p>

<p>And here's the part I wanted to explain earlier: I was a competitive figure skater for 12 years. I lived in the mountains to train competively, but I ended up getting behind in school. As a result, when I stopped skating last November, the school I was supposed to go to didn't accept me because I didn't have enough classes. So instead I went to a CC and finished some high school credits there and graduated on time by doing 9 classes in my senior year. However, I passed the highest level of moves in the field, second highest level in free skating, and placed top 15 in my final year in skating at regionals in junior (the second highest level). I've also competed at regionals four times and won many local competitions in my 12 years of skating.</p>

<p>Sorry for the long post, guys! I've pretty much put the important stuff here (might've missed some stuff), but as I said, I have my dream schools, but seeing how everyone is giving me an opinion on where I should go, I am quite confused and don't really know where I should bother transferring to anymore!</p>

2

<p>BTW, I’m currently in a SoCal CC.</p>

3

<p>Welcome to Berkeley! </p>

<p>On a serious note, you have a great shot at UCLA and Berkeley. However, I would also look at transferring to Emory, Rice, Duke, Cornell, and UPenn. You have stellar EC’s and I think they will care more about them than UCLA/Berkeley.</p>

4

<p>Why stop at Berkeley and UCLA. I agree with Yakov. Try for privates that will appreciate your ECs more than the state schools. </p>

<p>I agree with your dad. You can probably get into at least one of the ivies (and other prestigious schools)</p>

5

<p>I know I’m going to need financial aid or student loans… I know that Brown is need-aware, but would this lower my chances of getting into any of the other schools?</p>

<p>Also, I’m going to have, I think, 49 units by the end of the spring semester. I would assume that since 17.5 of them came when I was in high school, would this also lower my chances of getting in as a sophomore? Should I stay in CC for another year and transfer as a junior?</p>

<p>And thanks guys! :)</p>

6

<p>At most schools, you need 30 credits for sophomore standing, so the credits won’t hurt you. </p>

<p>I think most of the top schools are need blind for transfers, so it shouldn’t hurt.</p>

7

<p>yeah IMO you should wait until next year-- you will be able to apply to the UCs by that time and your added college coursework will overshadow your relatively low SATs (atleast for the level of schools you are applying to)</p>

8

<p>I agree that you look good for the top UCs, but the privates that look at SATs, not so much. Your scores are just not competitive and regional awards generally don’t sway top 20 colleges. It’s harder to get into an ivy or peer as a transfer, and the number they accept with a 1240 CR plus math without a hook is just about zero.</p>

9

<p>Waverly- yes, I had a feeling that would be the case. Actually, that is what I thought myself… that I may get into UCLA or Berkeley if I’m lucky, but nowhere else. I’m not a minority race, nor do I have a physical disability or any real hook (unless you call that one period of time when I was skating when my mom and I were living off of her savings and just barely afforded groceries one week…)</p>

<p>Well, I’ll keep studying and I’ll keep trying to add to my application with things I love and will be proud to talk about :)</p>

<p>And if you guys have any other suggestions, let me know :)</p>

10

<p>Finish up your associate degree and transfer to one of the UC’s. You don’t need to go to an ivy league school for an English degree.</p>