Transfer Advice Please

Transfer Students
1

Hi!! I’ve posted about this pertaining specifically to the Women’s colleges I’m applying too but wanted some more general advice. I’m going to be a Freshman at a state University I’m commuting too next week. I chose to do so due to cost, not applying to schools I would actually want to be at first time around due to stress/last minute change of heart, a chance to bump my grades and a good transition. I’m an only child and once I leave if course, it’ll be hard for ym parents to adjust as well as I so this is a good year for me to start becoming more independent without being gone. Quick stats:

96 gpa weighed in HS
1300 SAT
Intern with State Rep
Drum Major at H.S.
Works Part Time
Does Community Theatre

List of Schools I’m Applying to (from I think I can get in to idk man it’s a stretch):
Suffolk
Stonehill
UMass Amherst
University of Hartford
Mount Holyoke
George Washington University
American University
Smith

Mount Holyoke and Smith are the two I really want to go to. I want a liberal arts education, and also love the location/women’s college environment. GWU and AU are also ones I really liked since I’m a Poli sci major, and I noticed that they’re transfer acceptance rates are almost double their first year. My questions now are

  1. Should I retake the SAT?
  2. What ECs should I add on? I plan on community service since outside of NHS and Tri-M I didn't do too much. My high school ECs are sparse as well but I committed to the ones I did (especially band and drama)
  3. Is this too many? I wanted a variety since transferring is harder but I notice some people applying to only three super competitive schools on here and getting in to at least one so just curious
  4. Any general advice? I know to enjoy my school I'm at for the time I'm there but I know I won't be happy long term, and I know what I truly want. I grew up with this college and it's a great campus, does a lot for my community, and good programs for the three areas it specializes in. But as a Poli sci/potential journalism major there's not much there.

Thank you so much and good luck to you all in your college goals!

2

Another thing I forgot to mention that’s probably relevant is I was Rejected from Smith as a Freshman applicant and Accepted into UMass so that’s that. I was considering Wellesley and Bryn Mawr for transfer since I didn’t look at them also but they aren’t very transfer friendly I’ve noticed

3

Bump please because I would really like some sort of advice

4

A few things I can say off the top of my head:

  1. Retaking the SAT won't benefit you once you're already in college--that's what your first year grades are for.
  2. I know you mentioned the cost of the school, so I would look into the transfer scholarships they offer. Most schools don't give good aid to transfers.
5

Bryn Mawr is reasonably transfer friendly, but may be more focused on community college transfers. So don’t drop it from your list just yet if the money looks like it could work.

6

I know first year grades are what matters most, but some colleges still want to see them since I’ve been out for only a year. that’s why I was wondering if I should bother retaking it, or since schools like Smith, Mount Holyoke, GWU etc. Are test optional should I send the 1300 to lower level schools and just not send them at the higher level ones?

7

You should ask each of your targets whether or not they accept SAT/ACT scores taken after starting college. If they do, it might be worth it to you to re-take for those places.

8

Yeah, it’s complicated to see what is coming to you on this point, but there is always a room for improvement like that, It’s a totally cool thing that you are to learn something new. Check for http://russian-language-school.com/en/ and learn it.