Transfer FROM Cornell to Dartmouth, Penn, Brown

Transfer Students
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<p>Hey, I'm fairly happy at Cornell, but feel like Dartmouth or Penn would be a better place for me. Now, I basically threw away my first semester by deciding to party and not take academics seriously. I ended up with a 3.61 (Micro-B+, FWS-B+, Calc-A-, Green World/Blue Planet-A-, Marketing-A). I plan on contesting one of my grades, but I don't think it will be changed. The classes were not completely easy, the median grade was probably averaged around B/B+. Now, I've had many revelations and realized I need to actually work, so I am confident I can do significantly better next semester (thinking 3.8-4.0). My schedule is business/economics mostly, but the classes are hard in terms of median grades. </p>

<p>My high school stats aren't exactly great. SAT: 2220 (680 CR, 750 M, 790 W), GPA: 3.4 (top 15%). I'm involved in business-related ECs at college, but no real leadership. I'm part-Mexican.</p>

<p>So, what are my chances at these schools? Should I just wait until later because I expect my grades to increase fairly significantly?</p>

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<p>reach for all</p>

1 Like
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<p>Did you apply to any colleges more competitive than Cornell as a freshmen? What school are you in there? NY resident?</p>

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<p>I think you have a shot, but to be honest, its going to be difficult purely because the Ivies are very difficult to transfer into.</p>

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<p>What about the program you’re in makes you want to transfer? For that matter, what about the programs at Dartmouth, Penn, or Brown appeals to you? </p>

<p>Your SATs are very solid, and being a URM helps a ton, but your 3.4 is pretty weak (unless you’re from a notoriously competitive HS). Likewise, your 3.61 is solid, but not stellar. I’d say your chances for other Ivies are decent at best, but if you’re really keen on transferring, go for it; just make sure you’re able to write compelling essays that give a sense that you’ve researched each school’s program and that you’ve carefully considered your reasons for transferring.</p>

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<p>Brown, Georgetown, and Hopkins are the only other schools that I applied to that can be arguably more competitive (was rejected at all of those). I’m currently in Arts and Sciences and do not live in New York.</p>

<p>I guess the real question is if I should apply now or wait until next year, where my gpa will likely be a bit higher (probably around 3.7-3.8). My HS is quite competitive (around 100 in the country for public schools), and I just missed the top 10% mark. </p>

<p>I have specific reasons why I’m interested in those schools, but it is generally quite simple: I dislike the size of the school, and I feel that even though I have met absolute geniuses here, there are a ton of people who are clearly not interested in learning at all, or are simply just not too smart academically. I also dislike the color red (that’s not a reason, but I really don’t!).</p>

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<p>Any other opinions?</p>

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<p>I think Cornell’s median in most of the UG classes is B+. And I think it’s gonna be extremely difficult for you to make your case because you don’t have good reasons for a transfer.</p>

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<p>Irony of ironies. Weren’t you the guy who has 3.61 GPA?</p>

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<p>Okay, my reasons for transferring are more solid than I have made it seem…the average median grade for my classes has been between a B and a B+, regardless of what it is for all freshmen. My low gpa is for reasons other than a lack of intelligence (though one could argue differently) or not a desire to learn.</p>

<p>On a side note, is your name from Warcraft? Alterac Valley if I remember, good times.</p>

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<p>I’d say Brown would be virtually impossible if they rejected you last year and you have done nothing extraordinary at Cornell this year.</p>

<p>I think you’d do much better at all 3 as a jr. transfer with a higher GPA and some significant campus accomplishments.</p>

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<p>Why Dartmouth & Penn? They are two completely different environments</p>