<p>I'm a freshman at the George Washington University looking to transfer. My current major is IR, but I've realized that my interests are far more mathematical so I want to switch to Economics, thus the big reason for transferring to UChicago. How would my chances be?
First Semester GPA: 3.80 (17 credits)
High School: 4.0 (Small rural high school though, APs not offered)
SAT: CR 680 Math 650 Writing 670</p>
<p>Also should I think about retaking the SATs since it's been about a year since I last took them. Thanks.</p>
<p>1) Your SAT scores are solid, but a little low for Chicago's range. See if you can bring them up. (My SAT scores were worse than yours the first time I took them, and then they magically shot up for the second and third times, going from Chicago's very low end to about the middle of the range). You can also try your luck with the ACT-- it's not an easier test, but it's constructed differently. The writing portion of the SAT was my own kiss of death, but I was able to get a perfect 36 on the ACT writing section... odd, right?</p>
<p>2) Chicago's a wonderful school with a wonderful econ program, but there's a lot more to the package than just an econ program. Do some research on the admissions dept.'s website (admissions.uchicago.edu) or even search some threads on CC to see if Chicago might be a good place for you. I know GW is known for IR, but their econ program is probably good too.</p>
<p>Actually I've taken the SATs three times and those are my highest scores. Although it's been a year since I last took them so I might try again. I took the ACT once and got a 28, but I honestly didn't study for it very hard and took it my junior year. Would it be worth trying again? (Honestly I kind of like the trick question style of the SATs more than the "what do you know" style of the ACTs.)</p>
<p>As far as my reasons for transferring to Chicago, they are far more than for the Econ department. I've become very dissapointed with the student body at GW, no one is really stupid or dumb, but no one seems to care at all about anything other than partying and hooking up. I want to go to Chicago because of everything I've heard of the intellectual and academic enviroment at the school. Most of the people at GW come from very wealthy backgrounds and don't seem to really care about school because if they fail they can always fall back on their parents for money and support. I'm transferring because I want to be around people who are motivated intellectually.</p>
<p>Hi, if anyone has anymore advice that would help a lot, thanks.</p>
<p>My sats were a little higher than yours and I got waitlisted at university of chicago.
(i went to gwu 1st semester (as a freshman), took a semester off and am planning to return in the fall of 09) to clarify i graduated high school in 08. However your high school gpa is pretty solid, so was your 1st semester. did you do the honors college at gwu?
aslo, why not economics at gw? still good opportunities for internships in dc…</p>
<p>Are you applying for this fall? Then you don’t have time to retake exams. If you do
have time, you could retake the ACT, aiming for a 30 and up. That kind of score, with your great grades, would make you competitive. Your reasons for transferring are solid. Write great essays.</p>
<p>I am guessing that the original poster applied last year, not this year.</p>