Transfer Chances

<p>Hey you guys. I'm relatively new to this discussion forum so forgive me if I made a mistake. I'm thinking of transferring for next year but I was wondering with the numbers I have if I have even a relatively decent chance at some schools I'm thinking of transferring to. I'm currently here at Syracuse University and it's not working out for me. With that being said, some schools I'm looking at include: Tufts, Cal, NYU, Penn, Columbia, Brown, etc. I'm currently a Political Philosophy major so I would be interested in good poly sci programs. Here are my numbers and ecs.</p>

<p>High School:
Gpa: 3.03
Sat 1:1980
Ecs: Volunteered at hospital contributing approximately 600 hours
I was also part of youth leadership team at the hospital.
Wrote for school newspaper and was assistant sports editor
Peer counseling officer and member for two years
Make a Wish officer and was part of the club three years.
Did track for a while as well.
Class of 06 member for three years.
Awards: President's Volunteer Service Award: Gold Level
Some various scholarships here and there.</p>

<p>I know my high school stats aren't great. I admit I slacked off but I made strides toward the end increasing my gpa senior year. It's a long long story.</p>

<p>College Gpa: 3.79
Ecs Currently: writing for the newspaper and volunteer at Hospital
Awards: Dean List for Fall 06</p>

<p>Please be honest, I rather people be upfront and honest about what my chances could be. I take responsibility for me slacking off and not giving it everything during high school. I wanted to turn my life around and I believe I'm on the right track to do it. If there are other schools that I could have a good chance of attending please do not hesitate to say so. I don't mind suggestions. I'm pretty sure though I can increase my gpa to around 3.8 or 3.9 range by the time I transfer next year. All input and feedback are appreciated.</p>

<p>Cal, Tufts, maybe penn--i would say</p>

<p>If you are serious about transferring to these schools for Poli Sci, these are some things you need to do at Syracuse:</p>

<p>1) Build a strong connection with two professors, specifically, poli sci professors if possible.</p>

<p>2) Exploit every resource to learn about Poli Sci available to you in Syracuse (internships, being active in related student orgs, doing research with a professor). This is important because you want to be able to say you gave your best shot at Syracuse and it hasn't worked out.</p>

<p>3) High GPA. Keep a balanced courseload and get all A's. This is the most surefire way to help your chances.</p>

<p>4) As mentioned in #2, you need to step your extracurricular involvement up.</p>

<p>Best of luck lilk, you are applying to some wonderful universities. Work so hard that you develop a strong conviction that you deserve to be there.</p>

<p>I don't know. Most transfers to schools you want to apply to have high school records that could very likely have gotten them admitted as freshmen to those schools, and I think you know that you probably would not have been accepted as a first-year to Penn, Tufts, Brown, etc. All those schools are reaches, even if you follow the above poster's advice. If you are truly unhappy at Syracuse, think of more realistic options to apply to, so you can be sure to be accepted at a few places. At this point, NYU is the only one I think you have a good shot at.</p>

<p>lolabelle thank you for being candid. What do you feel realistic options could be including NYU? Anybody else agree or have other input to chip in regarding my situation?</p>

<p>Lots of schools have great polisci programs. Have you considered American, George Washington? Those could be great matches for you. How about LACs? You only listed universities.</p>

<p>Still apply to the schools you listed above, just don't count on being accepted there.</p>

<p>Is there anything else I could do to bolster my chances to get into the schools I listed?</p>

<p>How many years have you've been at syr?</p>

<p>Well this is my first year at Syracuse so I would be looking to apply around this time next year or so.</p>

<p>Hey, I'm looking to transfer from Syracuse as well. I'm a freshman. What don't you like about it here, if that's the case?</p>

<p>Well, up to this point I've kept an open mind about everything however I don't think Syracuse fits my mold. I haven't exactly found my "niche" yet. Maybe that's a result of the change or what not, but I would prefer a school near a bigger city such as Philly, Boston, New York, Chicago, etc. The school itself is alright but there's no real reason for me to stay here or want me to make me stay here if you get what I'm saying. I am looking for a challenge and just once again finding my place in a school that I would like to attend. The schools that I am considering also have certain selling points or various programs that interest me highly. There are more reasons but that's the sparknotes version. </p>

<p>Anybody else have input as anything and everything is appreciated.</p>

<p>P.S. My high school gpa is unweighted and I forgot to mention I took honors\Aps and some college courses during my high school years as well.</p>

<p>i agree with lolabelle. american and georgewashington are good polysci schools for you. if anything, i say get involved with campus politics and organizations. even though, off the top of my head, i can't even think of one political organization in syracuse. and perhaps take as many Maxwell courses as possible;MAX 123, 132..? i know the maxwell school for graduate studies is highly regarded. don't know if that helps. and as a sophomore, your high school info. won't be as highly important as opposed to transferring as a frosh. so keep up a good GPA.</p>