<p>Ever since I received my waitlists and rejections this past spring, I have considered the concept of transfering. I've heard that most people have to have a 4.0 to transfer.</p>
<p>What are some actions I should take to have a better chance of getting accepted by Brown, UPenn, Cornell, and UChicago? Or even Yale?</p>
<p>I am interested in a few majors: mathematics, history, economics, legal studies (pre law), and possibly, premed. I know that it's a long list. I'm narrowing it down this year as a freshman.</p>
<p>Would apply to a certain major hinder me from an acceptance letter?</p>
<p>I noticed the previous threads about waitlists. I was waitlisted by Brown and Stanford. I heard that I made it to the 2nd round of the waitlist, but I was rejected. Does being a past waitlistee help me?</p>
<p>It is a very horrible idea to do Legal Studies as a pre-law major if you plan on entering law school. </p>
<p>I don't know how much of an effect it would have. </p>
<p>No it does not help you. All I can say is that if you were waitlisted before -- you must've been somewhat competitive? Can you identify the weaknesses of your previous application? </p>
<p>I've seen your past threads before. To be honest, since you're applying as a sophomore transfer -- your GPA/standardized scores will be that much more important.</p>
<p>My ACT scores were low. I had a 27 composite with a 29 in English and a 29 in Math.</p>
<p>I believe my essays, ECs (including Boys State and volunteer work), and GPA (4.5 weighted) were good</p>
<p>Bourne, I noticed you're in Stanford. I'm also considering Stanford, but I've heard only around 20 students are selected to be transfer students.</p>
<p>I've heard that transfer admissions emphasize more on college classes and ECs done at college. How different is transfer admission from freshman admission?</p>
<p>In terms of class selection, which classes should I pick to transfer?</p>
<p>For my first semester, I'm going to take:
1. Math 1A (Calculus, 1st semester)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Earth and Planetary science 170AC (upper division class about geology and history)</p></li>
<li><p>College Writing R1A (requirement of university and fulfilling it just in case transfering is unsuccessful)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>As a sophomore transfer anywhere your Scores will be looked at. A semester of classes is not enough. Only at schools where sophomores are given preference will this help you. (Very few) </p>
<p>Sophomore transfer admissions are much more similar to high school admissions than Junior transfer admissions. You should probably look at your chances for both and apply accordingly.</p>
<p>It's still July. Wait a semester and see if you still plan on transferring. If so then start the planning then. The knowledge you'll gain after a semester/quarter of school will be immense.</p>
<p>Also be aware. Math and such at Berkeley is no joke. Anything at UCB will be difficult. A 4.0 will not be easy.</p>
<p>Yeah, definitely don't let yourself be caught off-guard this coming semester. A lot of incoming frosh (particularly from public schools who receive very little in terms of college-prep) have a rough time their first semester or two. It's a different game than high school and many kids who were straight-A students are finding themselves making Bs and Cs in college. A 4.0 (or near... >3.8) is very important to be competitive for the schools you listed. It's doable at Berkeley, but it's certainly not easy. </p>
<p>Bourne covered most of it, but I'd say one of the most important things in addition to excellent grades is having excellent ECs. Quality, not quantity! Find something at Berkeley you really enjoy and excel at it. Devote a lot of time to it. If it's competitive, all the better. Berkeley is huge... I'm sure they'll have something you're interested in.</p>
<p>One more thing... looking at your schedule... maybe take one more class (a 2-unit seminar maybe?). Even though you have 14 units, 3 classes seems kind of cushy (even given that you're taking a weeder math course).</p>
<p>^I agree. I would take another class if I were you. College writing and earth science don't give the impression of rigor (even though they could be difficult). If you decide on premed, I think you're hurting yourself by not taking any lab science; if you go prelaw, I think you might do well to take some humanities.</p>
<p>You could substitute general bio or general chem for EPS, although this would be kind of like a tacit committment to the premed side because I doubt you'd need bio or chem for mathematics, history, or law. </p>
<p>Or perhaps you could keep EPS and throw in an introductory philosophy class or history survey. I don't know, these are just suggestions.</p>
<p>Should I add Econ 1 or maybe, Chem? Is 14 units, enough? As I said, I thought EPS 170AC was rigorous enough. I migth be applying as a junior transfer, though.</p>
<p>If you're considering premed, definitely take chem1a next semester. No question about it. My suggestion is: college writing (6 units), chem1a (4 units), math1a (4 units), frosh seminar (2 units) totaling 16 units. Conversely, you could consider taking a 4 unit writing class (R1A/R5A, etc) and take a fourth 4 unit class in place of the seminar. But yeah... if you have any desire to do premed, take chem now.</p>