Transfer advice, please?

<p>Basically, I was not accepted when I applied to NYU my first time. My GPA was pretty good (3.6 UW, 4.0 W), but my SAT scores weren't so great, because of my difficulty with math (1830). I applied as a Music Ed major into Steinhardt, and my audition was pretty good. Not the very best I could be, because I was sick and nervous, but I did not do a bad job. My EC's weren't outstanding, but I did participate in a lot of honor societies, and I had exec board position in one of them, not to mention all of the music groups I was participating in. </p>

<p>I'm looking into transferring after 2 years. I decided two years because I want to study abroad for my sophomore year in England, and NYU really doesn't offer that for Music Ed majors, not to mention that it'd be more cost effective to transfer after 2 years. I want to graduate from NYU because with an NYU degree, I could get a teaching job on Long Island without waiting for the change after years of teaching in the city, because of the competition. Not to mention, I'd have a much better starting salary! </p>

<p>Any advice you could give, now that I'm starting my freshman year at another college in a few days? What grades should I aim for? How are the transfer rates into Steinhardt? I was told it was one of the easiest of the NYU schools to be accepted into as a freshman, so I'm hoping transferring is easier than the other schools as well. For transfers, do you still need to break your back with ECs to prove your worthiness, or do they just focus on your grades most of all? Would they look highly upon study abroad? And for anyone who has studied abroad in England, are classes more challenging there (something that I'd have to be aware of, because I obviously need to be making good grades to transfer!)</p>

<p>Thanks a bunch. :]</p>

<p>I doubt classes overall are 'more challenging' in England, but it probably depends on what university you study at and what classes you take. You can talk about your study abroad experience in your application, too.
As for what grades you should aim for, just try to get the best grades possible. There's no specific gpa that will make or break you, so try to get the highest gpa you can.
I wouldn't say 'break your back' with EC's, but join a few EC's related to your major/interests that you are involved in, rather than a whole bunch you don't care about. Good luck!</p>