<p>Hi everyone,
I'm in a sort of predicament. I'm attending a small local liberal arts college this fall for my freshman year, and desperately want to transfer out to pursue a BS in computer engineering (my present college has a sort-of-okay science program, but no in-depth engineering classes or related research in the field, or any engineering program at all). It was my safety net school, so I really had no choice.</p>
<p>I love neuroscience, computer science and electronics. I want to transfer somewhere I can start assisting and/or conducting research in AI, artificial neuron networks, machine learning, etc, and get to know some professors who specialize in and/or lead research in that field, because it is both critical for grad school preparation, and I am completely in love with it! </p>
<p>However, here is my problem: This year, I applied to MIT, fell in love with it, and was rejected, like most people. I want to see if I can apply for admission as a transfer student for the fall of 2013. Knowing that the number of admitted students usually hovers around just a dozen (or none at all), I'm planning on sending out transfer applications for fall 2013 admission at other schools, like RPI, as obvious alternative options. However, I only need 12 transferable credits to transfer to RPI (which I can earn in one semester), and as a result I could switch out to RPI after one semester at my current school, and lose as little ground and course credits as possible. The transfer admission rate for RPI is a lot higher and I think I would have a very good shot at being accepted (I'm also a woman--that must help a lot, considering the gender imbalance there). They also have a great AI research program that is undergrad-friendly. However, if I jump at RPI for spring semester admission and get accepted, I wouldn't be able to apply to MIT for fall admission that year. </p>
<p>So, the question in a nutshell: Go for a good school with a reasonable transfer admission rate earlier and give up a dream, or do a whole year at my current school (which means spending the second half of my freshman year there, which I could have spent at RPI) and face almost immanent rejection from MIT in April 2013? </p>
<p>I think what I really want to ask you guys, is it worth it? Should I apply for fall 2013 transfer admission to MIT and sacrifice my spring 2013 semester waiting for decisions in April, or should I dismiss the ~2% acceptance rate as simply impossible and try for RPI (or something like it) halfway through my freshman year to get into engineering as quickly as possible? </p>
<p>I feel like an underdog applying to MIT as a transfer. I have great grades and am sure I can improve my SAT scores, but I heard from somewhere that the majority of admits for transfer admission are hyper-competitive super stars with any combination of perfect test scores, Ivy league connections, massive research projects undertaken as early as high school, inside hooks with MIT professors, Google internships, an elite prep school education, etc, and other terrifying stuff. I'm very curious, I have a knack for building things and tinkering, and I have a strong academic and extracurricular background from high school, but I never had the sort of opportunities these people had. </p>
<p>Do you have to be a Super-Saiyan to be admitted as a transfer? Would MIT consider a self-made, self-driven person who has overcome a number of major obstacles in life and had the initiative to undertake some cool projects out of pure curiosity (I have a lot of ideas for things I'm just itching to build now that I'm 18 and free), as much as they would consider someone who had the opportunity to participate in some prestigious international competition and won some fancy award? This is assuming my academics are acceptable. I haven't even started class yet, but I plan on working very, very hard this fall.</p>
<p>I'm sorry if I'm sort of vague in describing myself, and there are a number of hypotheticals in my potential application. My purpose is to give you an idea of who I am, not to post a whole resume and create one of those dumb "chance me" threads. I'm also sorry if this post is a little long and rambly. I'm a first generation college student in my family and I've pretty much been alone and confused through the whole thing. I would be so thankful if someone who knows a bit could give me some advice.</p>