<p>I'll be studying engineering in a top 10 university this fall. Sadly, it's engineering department is nothing spectacular - good not great. I was rejected at MIT/Caltech and waitlisted at Stanford. Would it be worth it to apply as a transfer to Stanford/MIT or just do my best with what I have? I'm interested in startups and finance. My current school places well in finance. Stanford and MIT do well at both.</p>
<p>Transferring looks like a lot of effort (with all the recommendations and getting school transcripts from my very uncooperative high school) and admissions officers might prefer to give that transfer spot to someone who needs it from CC more than me, further lowering my non-existent chances.</p>
<p>Your thoughts please. Thank you.</p>
<p>Going to a top uni could actually help your transfer chances. cos say a 3.8 at your school isn’t the same as a 3.8 in a CC. So I don’t think that’s gonna be a problem at Stanford and MIT, from my understanding the only unis which really care where your transferring from are the UCs, cos they give preference to CCCs.
No harm in applying, if you really want that great Engineering department apply, cos you’ve got nothing to lose, if your rejected your still in a top 10 haha</p>
<p>Don’t bother if nitpicking between top universities. Do the best at your present school. What you do matters more than the school you go to.</p>
<p>I partially disagree with the poster above. Some of the top 10 universities are very different, and it may be that the one you have chosen to attend truly is not right for you. If you truly dislike your current university - and you should not come to this conclusion before term has even begun (give the school a chance and make sure to explore everything it can offer you) - then you should consider transferring.</p>
<p>If you currently attend a top 10 university, it may make transferring to a school that is not top 10 easier. I do not know if you can tell whether it is easier to transfer within the top 10 schools, as transfer applicants to these schools are all very qualified, and these universities tend to accept few transfers. </p>
<p>I suggest you do your best to enjoy your current university for the time being. Though its engineering department may be nothing spectacular, as a top 10 school, it most likely has a good reputation and good job placement. If you take advantage of every opportunity you have there and do well, there may not be a large difference between attending your current university and one with a slightly better program. </p>
<p>Transferring can be a lot of effort, and I advise that you think carefully about it before you decide to apply. It is not worth it unless you are certain that you have a compelling reason to transfer (ie the other school can actually offer you something that your school cannot). </p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>