Transfer Advice

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hi there, I'm going to be a sophomore this coming fall at the University of Rhode Island. Currently, I am undecided. I'm thinking about putting transfer applications out next year, and really need some advice. I was stupid, and my Freshman year wasn't the greatest. Next year I am going to really, really step it up. I'm going to post stats right now, and want to get advice as to what I can do to have a competitive transfer app, despite a not so "hot" GPA. </p>

<p>HS Stats: </p>

<p>Rank: 17/282
GPA: 3.8
Honors Courses (We didn't have AP): 5 (They counted for Rhode Island College credit)
Test Scores: SAT 590 Math/560 Critical Reading/ 590 Writing. ACT: Composite:26</p>

<p>ECs: Drama Club 4 years (Asst. Stage Manager for 2), Literacy Team 4 Years, Math Club 4 years, Math Peer tutor 3 years, International Club 3 years, Student Council 3 years, FBLA President</p>

<p>Special Awards/Societies: National Honor Society, Rhode Island Honor Society, Top Scholar for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Scholarship (1 of 16 in the country)</p>

<p>College Stats: </p>

<p>Major/Minor: Undecided/Leadership
GPA: 3.0 </p>

<p>ECs: Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity (Fund Raising Chair), Student Admission Reps, Student Senate, Student Alumni Association, Habitat for Humanity, URI 101 Mentor, Resident Assistant, Tour Guide</p>

<p>I know its really, really early. I just want to get advice. </p>

<p>Schools I'm looking at: </p>

<p>University of Notre Dame (Probably my top choice)
Northeastern
Tulane University
U. Chicago
UNC-Chapel Hill
Vanderbilt University</p>

<p>What can I do, aside from bring my GPA up?</p>

2

<p>Were you initially accepted at any of these universities while in HS? I don’t know about transfers with regards to Northeastern but U Chicago, UNC OOS, Vandy, and Notre Dame would be ‘high reaches’ coming out of high school for you so I imagine that would be the same for transferring. Tulane would be a reach coming out of high school. If you were accepted to Tulane initially, that would be your best bet (outside of Northeastern) due to their lower retention rate.</p>

<p>Unfortunately there really isn’t a lot that you can do that will matter as much to admissions as increasing your GPA as much as possible. Why do you want to transfer?</p>

3

<p>Transfers are almost always looked at with regards to their HS gpa and HS test scores, then their college GPA, then ECs while in college and maybe HS.</p>

4

<p>I want to transfer because I just dislike my current college so much. I only applied and was accepted to Northeastern, but didn’t go because of financial reasons. I regret it all the time, and just don’t like URI. I think if I went someplace else I would have tried so much harder, but thats my own fault. </p>

<p>Thanks for the help, I’m retaking chemistry in the fall, and if I work my butt off and get an A in it, it will replace the D I got originally and bring my GPA up a good amount. I’ve always hated the fact that SATs/ACTs mattered so much. I’ve never been a good test taker with those types of tests :&lt;/p>

5

<p>Those stats are eerily similar to mine, both hs and college after my freshman yr. I say just work on bringing your GPA up and write some kick ass essays and get some good recs.
Your SAT/ACT will matter very little in the transfer process as an incoming jr, believe me.
I got into Vandy and had a 26 ACT, never thought about retaking it.</p>

6

<p>I’m glad you posted that haha. It’s certainly nice to hear that people have successfully transfered into great schools when they haven’t done particularly well on standardized tests. </p>

<p>I’m also glad to see the OP isn’t transferring simply for prestige. I didn’t personally enjoy me alma mater, Tulane, until I found a major that really intrigued me. I ended up thinking so highly of the school as well as the department (finance) that I went back to the school for my masters. So hopefully, jc, you’ll have as much luck as haha or myself, however your situation unfolds.</p>

7

<p>Thanks, I hope so too. I’m sure I’ll have more posts as the time comes nearer haha ;)</p>