Transfer Changes - Go ahead, wreck my day

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>*Chances (I'm slightly dyslexic, possible advantage?)</p>

<p>Let the reality checks begin,</p>

<p>I am applying to transfer to Stanford, and only to Stanford, for the Fall 2008 quarter. Yes, I realize Stanford only admitted 23 transfers (20 matriculated) last year. Yes, I realize my chances are dependent on whether Stanford over admits once again. And Yes, I realize applying to only one school is a ‘Hail Marry’ play that will most likely result in a complete face plant. But still, I invite you whack at my resume like its a pi</p>

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<p>You are amazing. The best of luck to you!</p>

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<p>Transfers don't tend to lurk around here much, however- from having been on various college discussions boards for 2+ years, the key to getting in as a transfer is to really show WHY you're transferring. Email professors, research class offerings. Your paragraph at the end of your post is an excellent start, but you really need to demonstrate that Stanford is THE place for you, no questions asked. Your college GPA is solid at a respectable institution, and your high school record appears to be excellent. Best of luck to you. Let us know how it turns out!</p>

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<p>Thank you ducktape,</p>

<p>My essays do something to that effect ;-D. I have emailed and research ad nausea. In fact, in my essay explaining my reasons for transferring I include a quote from an email correspondence with a Stanford Biophysics professor.</p>

5

<p>Good luck, your high school record looks nicely stacked. I don't know much about transferring to top-tier schools, but look into MIT as I've been impressed with the entrepreneurship programs there. UPenn also had a biophysics major as I recall when I made up some BS to the alumni interviewer on why I liked it.</p>

<p>Obviously, probability is not in your favor but it's worth a shot - you don't appear unworthy.</p>

6

<p>I have no personal experience with transferring...any advice comes from talking with friends, reading around here, or plain old opinion. Just my disclaimer.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Transfers don't tend to lurk around here much, however- from having been on various college discussions boards for 2+ years, the key to getting in as a transfer is to really show WHY you're transferring. Email professors, research class offerings. Your paragraph at the end of your post is an excellent start, but you really need to demonstrate that Stanford is THE place for you, no questions asked.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>^ Ditto. This was what struck me the whole way through your first post: "Wow. But why transfer?" You say that you make this clear in your essays...great. Just be sure to do it entirely from a "why Stanford" point of view, and NOT a "why not Columbia" point of view, if that makes sense. Make sure not to criticize your current school, or draw comparisons (at the very least, tread very, very carefully).</p>

<p>You're quite obviously a strong applicant, and you've received a number of honors since graduating, which can only help you. Your current grades show that you're strong in both science and the humanities, and also that you're getting involved and doing well despite not being 100% happy at Columbia. </p>

<p>If you think that your essays were weak last time around, pay special attention to them this time. The only other comment I have is to watch your attitude. Your post, which is all I'm basing this on, was confident and entertaining, but it seems like if you were to take your humor/confidence up just one notch, they could go from working for you to working against you. I'm struggling to word this in a way that doesn't sound critical, because that truly isn't how I mean it. Right now you really do come across as a great applicant with a good personality. You're approaching a line, though, at which point you risk being misread, so my caution is simply to be conscious of this in your essays. Let me know if that makes any sense at all!</p>

<p>Again: fantastic resume. You know the odds, but I do hope that they work for you this year. Best of luck :)</p>

7

<p>Student615,</p>

<p>I made a similar mistake on my first attempt. I was either too cocky or too humble when the entire time I should have simply been confident. Do you think humor is a valuable asset to bring into an application? I think my disdain for the transfer process and its hopeless odds is being interrupted as humor.</p>

<p>By the way, I am shocked by the eloquence of these replies compared to those found in the average "What are my Chances?" thread. Other replies are so grammatically awkward I cringe as I read them.</p>

8

<p>
[quote]
I was either too cocky or too humble when the entire time I should have simply been confident.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>A good (and unique) thing to realize!</p>

<p>I think that humor can work well for some people, but probably only a fraction of those who attempt (or wish to attempt) it. Your original post wasn't funny in a ha-ha sense, but it was a bit wry. That's probably the type of humor that's (a) most effective when it works; (b) easiest to misread as 'attitude.' I'd just recommend having someone read over your essays with this in mind (someone who knows you and can read the essay in your own 'voice' might not pick up on it w/o some effort).</p>

<p>Basically, I enjoyed your original post because even though you stuck straight to the facts, your personality came right through. That's a fantastic thing...just make sure you use it to your advantage :)</p>

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<p>You are amazing. Your stats are as good as they could be and your reason for wanting to transfer is fantastic. Chances are as good as they can get</p>