I know that the deadlines this year have passed, I am just curious about my chances. I am also curious if I should even try to transfer.
I am currently a student at Lehigh studying computer science. I would like to specialize in computer graphics, however, Lehigh does not have a great program for it. They only have one class about it. I would like to try to transfer to Columbia, UPenn, Harvard, MIT, or Cornell because they each have a somewhat large computer graphic research group (especially UPenn because of their Digital Media Design program). I would like to do some research with the members of the departments. These schools have many interesting research projects, and I have spoken to some of the professors working on them. I would really like having a professor who knows what they are doing help guide me in researching some topics I find interesting. My dream job would be working at Pixar or Blizzard. I am interested in these top schools because many alumni from these schools go on to work for Pixar and Blizzard. Besides the academic reasons to transfer, I would also like to transfer because of the social scene. Greek life dominates here, and I am not a big fan of it. I enrolled here because of my Mom, an alumna. She had the time of her life here, but I am not sharing the same experiences, unfortunately.
College GPA: 3.95 (will try hard to maintain next year)
High School GPA: 3.7UW, 3.87W
ACT: 34C: {33E, 35M, 32R, 36S}, 3 sittings
SAT Subject Tests: 780 Math 2; 790 Chemistry
Extracurriculars:
- Working on a personal project to give students free, quality tutoring 24/7 (I do a lot of tutoring) (a new website/service)
- Web Developer, I am redesigning the Lehigh student clubs website.
- Portfolio of 3D modeling / freelance graphic designer with some pieces too.
- Research at Lehigh, doing some data science cs work
- Research at Stevens Institute of Technology in high school. I was researching a novel treatment for breast cancer with a professor and his postdoc. (Thought I wanted to go into medicine in high school)
- I helped bring the one-to-one program to my high school. Each student gets a laptop.
- Developed an app for my local summer community that did not have one.
- Senior Camp Counselor
- Lifeguard
- Competitive sailor
- By the time I transfer I would like to try and get an internship for the summer (one can hope for FAANG =) ).
Awards:
- Many regional sailing awards during the summer when I sail
- Student of the month for computer graphics in high school
- AP Scholar (from high school)
- Many times camp counselor of the week
- Top 50 students in chemistry in my state in junior year of HS.
- Reached top 10 legend in Hearthstone a couple times (I don't even know if I should add this lol)
Is this a good enough reason to transfer? Do I have somewhat good odds to transfer? Thanks!