Transfer chances for 2018 fall

Hi!! Im currently a freshman at Bucknell University and I’m looking to transfer out. I’m applying to UPenn, Brown, Cornell, Columbia, Georgetown, Vanderbilt, NYU, USC, Duke, Notre Dame, and UVA
Chance me please and let me know if there are any other schools similar to these I should consider! Thanks!!!
STATS:
College GPA: 4.0
HS GPA: 3.58
ACT: 28 (but retaking and hoping to get at least a 30)
some college EC’s
3 professors are writing me letters of rec
In Alpha Lambda Delta (honor society at Bucknell)
reason for transferring is want more opportunities to do research and more class options because Bucknell is such a small school it has limited resources. (very specific essays)

It sounds to me that you are doing well at Bucknell. You have a lot of high reaches on your transfer list. Given that you have only one semester at Bucknell, your high school GPA is going to matter, and for many of the schools on your list 3.58 is at best marginal, as is 28 ACT.

Is your 3.58 high school GPA weighted or unweighted? Do you have financial constraints?

I would agree that your chances are very low. At many of these schools, transfers are more difficult than freshman admits. Maybe after 4 semesters at the current pace you may have a chance. Also, your reason for transfer is very weak. LACs are actually a better place to do research as an undergraduate. At a Research University, your job will be washing glassware for a grad student. Lastly, a common comment on CC is that if you have both Brown and Columbia on your list, you know nothing about either.

I would stay at Bucknell with those grades and go to top grad schools instead. Your ACT is too low. Your HS grades colleges don’t care much by now. Schools you are seeking want 3.7-4.0 and ACT 32+ or all sections 30+. If you hit 30 in all sections with 9+ in Writing maybe.

If you can retake the ACT and get a 30+, I think you have a shot at Vandy, NYU, and USC. Ivies and other top 20 will be pretty difficult.

Hey, I’m a freshman at Bucknell too (engineering) and I saw this and I just wanted to let you know that it’s pretty easy to get research opportunities at Bucknell. I’m actually involved with research. (Again, would like to reiterate that I’m in the same year as you). Just ask the professor! I know a few other people who have gotten research opportunities just by asking. I’ve already presented at a poster session, too.

Also – you said that you’re in Alpha Lambda Delta. Did they send notifications out about that yet? My GPA is 3.8+ and I’m worried about whether or not I got in rip.

If you need ACT help, give me a holla! Got some good tips for ya lol.