Transfer Advice/Chances --> Brown and others

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hey everyone. So last year, I played the college admissions game pretty well, but I suppose not seriously enough; I applied to UCs, northwestern, and a few ivies, but after getting lucky with the first two I got rejected from each ivy [Brown, Columbia, Penn, Harvard]. As of now, I'm going to Northwestern this year. </p>

<p>Unfortunately, although I've been trying to stay positive the last few months, my heart is with Brown. When I applied, I barely knew anything about the school at all, but others had recommended that I apply there, so I followed suit. It was only after I had applied that I did extensive research in the school, its area, its students, what it stood for etc., and I think this fact reflected itself upon my poor 'why brown?' essays [I foolishly didn't take them seriously at all]. Anyway, a few months later, my alumni interview went extraordinarily well [my alumnus said that I was a 'perfect fit' for Brown, and she went on to recommend me to the assistant dean of admissions over all her other interviewees], and I thought it would trump that aforementioned weakness. Sadly, the day came and I was rejected. A few days later, my interviewer called me, apologized [she said I would've gotten in if I had not applied to the PLME program-- not sure what to think about that], and urged me to transfer after a year.</p>

<p>I both hope and acknowledge that I could be thoroughly pleased with Northwestern after attending for a quarter or two, and by no means am I going in with the frame of mind that I will transfer. However, in the case that I don't enjoy it, I'd like to know what I should be doing at Northwestern to improve my case for transfer admission. I'd also like to know if it's worth a shot at all, and I'd like to know the same thing for a few other schools.</p>

<p>Here are a few stats:
SAT: 2390
ACT: 35
SAT2: Math II 800, Lit 730
HS GPA: 4.35/3.84 (top 4%)
AP Scholar with Distinction
National Merit Scholarship Winner
Musician - Records/produces music, belongs to locally successful groups, self-taught
Involved with various forms of music journalism
Has done internships with hospitals, various clinics
4-year varsity athlete in water polo/swimming
Currently pre-med, pending further decisions</p>

<p>So yeah, what do you guys think? My only solid choices for transferring are Brown and Columbia; the former for previously stated reasons and the latter because my twin sister is attending college in the area and I have friends that attend/love the school. I'm also considering applying to Penn again, Stanford [just for the hell of it, I'd love to be able to surf in college], and perhaps UCLA, NYU's Recorded Music program and Claremont McKenna if I'm desperate to leave [I was accepted at UCLA and wait-listed at the latter two last year].</p>

<p>Thanks in advance,
john</p>

2

<p>if you can get a solid 3.8+ gpa and redo the essays, i’d say you have an excellent shot. as a soph transfer applicant, your high school record will still be important, and since that is very, very strong, just show them that you can follow through in college work and i’d say you have an amazing chance. rethink your essays since the why transfer essays are a bit different. if i remember correctly, brown doesn’t even ask for transfer essays, but they do want solid letters of recommendation in their place, so start building relationships with your professors early on. get involved in good ECs and get those As. best of luck</p>

3

<p>Sure, it’s worth a shot. But alumni interviewers who talk as though they have any power at the school, or know what would have gotten you in, are usually full of hot air.</p>

4

<p>thanks to both of you, but which schools do you think i have the best chance at in addition to brown? i’d also appreciate other opinions</p>

5

<p>You have a greater chance of getting in if you do not need financial aid, because Brown is not need blind for transfers.</p>

6

<p>shameless bump</p>