Top schools know that not everyone is perfect, right? I hope so.

Transfer Students
1

<p>It's the loneliest, most frustrating feeling in the world when you're stuck in a place you know is incongruous with every dimension of your personality. I wish I would have known that back when I matriculated lol</p>

<p>HS --
GPA: 4.0 W/ 3.8 UW
HS Type: competitive public
ACT: 33 (retaking in a month)</p>

<p>College --
GPA: 3.8 / Dean's List
Freshman at Top 20 University
ECs: I spend a lot of time on my ECs (which are unique and tailored to my career plans); thus, the relatively low college GPA.</p>

<p>My professor recommendations should be great, but not stellar. I'm a published writer, so hopefully, I can reproduce some excellent essays. I have a personal, good reason for transferring. </p>

<p>Schools --</p>

<p>Columbia - It's a longshot, but it's also my dream school.
UChicago - I could see myself really, truly happy here.
UPenn (CAS) - Academically, in regards to the programs offered, I think it is the most compatible. Plus, I have good friends here.
Northwestern - I've been to the campus a lot because of legacy here, so I'd feel right at home!</p>

<p>That's my list and I am not going to add any more schools. Go big or go home.</p>

<p>Based on those few stats alone, how do I stack up in the sea of thousands of transfer applicants? No, shot right? Damn, I knew it.</p>

<p>Thanks everybody :]</p>

2

<p>People on this website need to stop calling 3.8 GPAs relatively low. Stop searching for praise by deprecating yourself. You have a shot at any of those schools.</p>

3

<p>Wow -- c'mon, man. You don't know me, so please refrain from making assumptions. But thanks for your last sentence.</p>

<p>A 3.8 GPA is low RELATIVE to some of the other stats I've seen on this transfer sub-forum. I think I saw a guy transferring from UChicago with a near perfect GPA or something ridiculously awesome like that. </p>

<p>Any other advice would be sincerely appreciated!</p>

4

<p>I really don't see any benefit in retaking the ACT. Colleges don't care if you can get a 35 or 36 as a college student. </p>

<p>(I also had a 33 from HS. I realized retaking it would be a waste of time.)</p>

5

<p>I think niddumas is right. There's really no use in retaking a 33 ACT...</p>

6

<p>You should only retake if you feel it will help you a great deal. You appear to be a strong candidate. Work hard and good luck!</p>

7

<p>Well, I think I'm gonna give it a shot at retaking the test anyway. It can't hurt, right?</p>

<p>Advice, please?</p>

8

<p>You wont have any trouble with Chicago or Northwestern. Columbia is a little more competitive, but you shouldnt have any trouble. As for UPenn, its a long shot, but theres no harm going for it.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

9

<p>Is Penn CAS really a long shot? Thanks for your input!</p>

<p>I know it's trite, but people's replies (positive or negative) seem to assuage my state of mind more effectively than any physical pat on the back or jog in the park. The words of hope and encouragement really do keep me going through this trying time.</p>

10

<p>One more bump to the top.</p>

<p>Actually, I realized that my last post about Penn CAS was a bit on the pretentious side -- of course any Ivy is going to be a long shot. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

11

<p>dont call a 3.8 relatively low. A 3.8 is stellar, i have a 3.4 after a semester and i think thats a pretty solid college gpa.</p>