<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>I'm a new member (after frequently perusing the forums for stories similar to my own), and I really would like to hear some feedback about my academic situation as I've been long considering my options, but am not sure what my actual standing/chances is/are.</p>
<p>My high school record is reletively unimpressive, with ~3.2 GPA (although with difficult classes, honors APs the like), as I really did not take it seriously. I recieved an 1880 on my SATs (680 writing, 650 critical reading, 550 math... didn't do so well on the latter) and a 27 on the ACT.</p>
<p>I've always been considered intelligent, but I was not emotionally mature in high school and did not prioritize grades. I was a multi-varsity sport athlete that occasionally participated in community service and other extra-curriclear activities. However, after a change in high schools after my sophmore year, my grades started to pick up and my classes became more difficult, therefore establishing a marketable "upward trend".</p>
<p>I enrolled in Hobart and Williams Smith Colleges (a decently reputable, tier 2 liberal arts school), although I was accepted to "better" schools like Pitt and SUNY Geneseo (financial aid issues). </p>
<p>I recieved a 3.2 average my first semster (A, A-, B and C, the latter grade was given to me in a Spanish course that I was grossly underqualified for. I'm sure that grade will need explanation in the transfer process), and a 3.6 my second semester (A, A-, B+, B+). My grades don't seem all that remarkable, but in each of the classes (with the notable exception of Spanish) I was the or one of the top performers, and I'm sure I could get glowing recommendations from the teachers. My second semester, instead of limiting myself to the freshman courses I was assigned to in my first semester, I took two sophmore level classes and an economics class with a very difficult teacher, with whom I did well. </p>
<p>Anyway (hope you guys are still awake!), I have several questions/comments.</p>
<p>-Considering I'm generally dissatisfied with the caliber the students at HWS and would like to further challenge/stimulate myself academically and continue this "upward trend", is it advisable to transfer after completing a whole year at another institution (the earliest I could transfer, now, would be spring semester of next year).</p>
<p>-What schools do I have a chance with? I'm personable, articulate, and therefore I don't really have trouble with interviews (in fact I enjoy them!)... and I can write (essays). </p>
<p>-My extra-curriclear list is somewhat unimpressive. Apart from my high school activities, I participated in club soccer and did 30 hours of community service my second semester (I could also recieve a good recommendation from the people I did work with in the community). </p>
<p>I really would like to push myself to the limits of my intelligence, and I don't feel that I could be afforded that opportunity at my current school. </p>
<p>-Schools under consideration include the University of Rochester (by the way, I live near Utica, NY, if that makes any difference), Villanova, Wake Forest, and other schools of that caliber. I'm not "shooting for the Ivies" because I'm realistic, and I think I can flourish at other schools like the aformentioned and the like. Any suggestions/comments on the process, my chances, schools, etc.? </p>
<p>-ahh, and I forgot to mention... I hope to be (liberal arts schools discourage freshman declarations of majors) an English/Economics major (double), as I (like to think I am) very good with the English subject (and what it entails) and I find Economics extraordinarily interesting (and I'm also good at that subject).</p>