Hi everyone,
I’m currently a junior at Cornell University who wants to transfer to Duke. The reason I want to transfer to Duke is because I want to switch majors (to do that at Cornell requires internal transferring which i cannot do as a junior) and also because I have SAD and being in Ithaca just exacerbates my ADHD symptoms.
I transferred once to Cornell already and at my previous college I had a 4.0 GPA
I currently have around a 3.5 gpa at Cornell (which I know is low for Duke).
Also, in addition to SAD, I also have a mild case of ADHD, so should I mention this in my application to Duke? I feel like its important to discuss about since it does impact my academic experiences and achievements; however, I don’t want it to paint a negative picture of me to the adcoms (an applicant with mental disorders). Does mentioning that I have ADHD/SAD help or hurt me in the admissions process at Duke?
Thanks in advance!
GPA isn’t great but transferring from a peer school may help.
Having said that, the admissions people might think that you have a less compelling reason to transfer since you already have access to similar opportunities at Cornell. So it could be a bit of a double-edged sword.
Personally, I would definitely bring up the SAD thing but I’d do it tactfully.
@JenniferClint Thanks for responding! Yes, I understand that Cornell and Duke are peer schools and that they offer similar opportunities; however, the difference is that at Cornell, to study the major that I want to study, I need to internal transfer into a different college at Cornell (Cornel undegrad is divided into 6 or 7 colleges while Duke has Trinity and Pratt). As a junior, I cannot internal transfer, per university rule; hence, I’m unable to pursue the academic path that I hope to pursue. Also, Duke is one of the few schools that offers the major/concentration that I hope to study (Cornell offers a slightly different version that veers away from my desired concentration).
Given my GPA and background, do you think it is worth applying to a school as competitive as Duke? Thanks!!
Definitely worth applying! Specially because Duke has become much more open to transfers in the past few years. The dean of admissions thinks that transfer students add diversity to the student body.
5 years ago, when the transfer acceptance rate was <5% it might not have made sense to apply. You should go for it now though.
@JenniferClint Thank you so much for your feedback! I will apply to Duke and hope for the best!
Three years ago you wrote a convincing essay about why your first college was the right place for you. A year and a half ago you wrote a convincing essay on why Cornell was the right school for you (and by implication why your first choice of college was not the right choice).
Now you have decided that neither your first college nor Cornell nor your major are right for you, and you want to try some place and something new.
If you are serious about how much you “despise” Cornell, if Ithaca is too awful and the SAD too bad, and you are serious about this new major, you would be applying to a bunch of schools*, not just Duke. So, why is Duke the magic answer that neither of your other colleges were? Rhetorical question: the answer is important for you, not me.
Btw, you are putting a lot of the weight on SAD- but you are from eastern NY, and actively chose to transfer to a college in western NY: I know the weather is different, but you surely knew it was different when you applied- and it’s not as though eastern NY is particularly better on winter light than Ithaca. It’s also interesting that it is this fall has pushed you past your limit, as Ithaca has had a particularly mild and sunny autumn. Also, I know that the Student Health Service provides a lot of support for students with SAD, including light boxes, counseling, etc.
One last question: are you parents happy to pay for a 5th year of college?
*The only other school that I see you mention in your other threads is Columbia, which is still New England winter light (and as another poster mentioned you don’t qualify for transfer)
@collegemom3717 First off, I’m not just applying to Duke. I’m also applying to other places as well. However, given that Duke will probs be the most competitive college I apply to, I want to know my chances there (sets a benchmark for the others as well). Also, duke offers a unique academic concentration/experience that I cannot find at most other schools (an economics major with a finance concentration (not simply econ) that is embedded in an overall strong liberal arts curriculum)
As for SAD, TBH, last semester at Cornell (spring), I already knew that the climate and environment at Cornell was detrimental to my health; however, I thought that because I just transferred in, it wouldn’t make sense to transfer out right away. I wanted to give it another shot. However, I SERIOUSLY just can’t take it anymore. I’ve been to Cornell health but honestly their services have not helped AT ALL (been going since the day I arrived on campus lol). Additionally, I want to change my major, which is something I’m unable to do that cornell (juniors restricted from internal transferring).
In terms of financials, that something I will have to consult with my parents.
I am NOT seeking a boost in prestige (most of the schools that I will apply to will be around Cornell tier, not HYPSM or whatever).
@CollegeSun: If suffering from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) exacerbates your ADHD symptoms, then it is understandable why you need to transfer for medical reasons. Your academic reason seems reasonable, but less compelling since a similiar major is offered at your current school.
@Publisher yes, I understand that a similar major is offered at Cornell;however, the issue is that, as a junior, I can’t internally transfer to that major per university rule. So technically, although it’s offered, it’s not available to me