<p>How respected are credits from one of the better SUNYs in order to transfer "up"? Am guessing that an impressive GPA (3.8-4.0) along with a couple of ECs geared to intended major would be key, despite lackluster high school academic record and marginal scores? How far would demonstrated ability in college go to compensate for high school performance?</p>
<p>Well, I think it depends on when the applicant applies. First year applicants are still to some extent in the shadows of their high school records. It also truly depends on the school. There is a huge difference between trying to transfer to Northwestern and tranfserring to Harvard (~30 and <7% respectively). I am by no means an expert, but it seems that the top-tier schools also look for decent test scores. Harvard, for example, highly recommends sub-scores of 600 on each section of the SAT I reasoning test. Some schools view discrepencies between high school and college achievement as a function of teacher ability, not just student effort. If the professors writing the recommendations emphasize what a great student he or she is, and that "lackluster high school academic record" was likely the result of uninteresting teachers, I believe the student can compensate for their high school performance. If he or she is appyling as for junior status, the high school record is of less consequence, though most top tiers require still require it. My suggestion is: If you're not happy where you are, and you have your sights on a pie in the sky - apply. You can always apply a second time, too, if your first attempt was not fruitful. What schools in particular are you curious about?</p>
<p>Boston College, Cornell, Michigan, Middlebury, Haverford, Dartmouth</p>
<p>Well, I don't know how much of a step of BC is. I do however know a student who recently transferred there as a junior. He had a 3.8 at a less competative college, marginal boards and a B average in high school (the acceptane rate is slightly above 25%). Cornell's overall acceptance rate is about 1 in 3 for transfers, but I believe it varies dramatically by department and school. There is a considerable amount of information posted on these boards by potential Cornell transfers, so I recommend you look around here for more information. Michigan is about 44%, Middlebury 4%, Harverford 3% (youch!), and Dartmouth about 10%. I obtained all of this information from collegeboard.com, using the "college search" tool, and selecting the "admissions" tab for each school. </p>
<p>What do you want to study? This list seems very diverse.</p>
<p>Candidate was recommended by a GC to take general liberal arts courses that were easily transferrable and then choose area of concentration once on new campus. It seems as though ECs matter more out of HS than college, except in area of concentration (if known). Thanks for the info on the above schools. At this point, BC, Michigan and perhaps Cornell are looking promising after sophomore year, but only if the GPA is definitely Dean's List caliber. Am wondering if odds improve after freshman year at same schools. Any ideas?</p>