<p>I'm going to UCSB as a freshman this coming fall, and I want to transfer to Brown or Cornell.
My question is: When would be a better time for me to apply? My freshman year or my sophomore year?</p>
<p>I know the earlier you apply the more weight your HS career has, so I'm not quite sure if my GPA/Work load would be more a hindrance than anything.</p>
<p>I took 12 AP classes in high school, and about a 2100 SAT score, with a horrid unweighted GPA. about 3.4? 3.3? My scores were all 4's and 5's with the exception of a 3 in Chemistry and Spanish.
As for extra curriculars, I played the piano for about 10 years, was active in a few clubs, and officer in two. Over the summer, I had interned at a law firm. I grew up with significant financial and family struggles, which really shaped the person I am today, so my essays tended to circle that topic. </p>
<p>I apologize for the long post -- but back to my original question: Should I apply to transfer earlier or later? Does my very low GPA, and therefore class ranking, overshadow whatever rigor my HS course load seems to suggest?
I'm planning on studying abroad with the UCEAP program and I really need to make a decision soon as to whether I'll be in the system for a year, or two. Thank you in advance for any and all help! It's greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>If I were you I then I would do it as a sophomore. Your HS track record is not the strongest; you’ll need as close to a 4.0 as possible at UCSB and major extra curricular involvement that displays your passion for your aspirations. Also I highly advise you to make the most of UCSB while you’re there. Don’t get so caught up in the name of the universities that you don’t even enjoy the college that you’re at. Also if you’re planning on graduate studies then it might not be a bad idea to do undergrad at UCSB–think long term. Just my two cents.</p>
<p>Really take an interest at UCSB there are tons of opportunities there.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for replying! Would you mind clarifying why staying at UCSB would be a good option if I wanted to go to grad school? I’m interested in transferring because the school didn’t feel like a fit, at all, the first few times I’ve visited. Though, I will take it with a grain of salt and give it a chance in the fall.</p>
<p>Right now, I’m pre-econ, though I plan to declare a double major in either political science or history. I thought perhaps UCSB would be a disadvantage if I had wanted to go to somewhere like Columbia or NYU for law school? Wouldn’t it be favorable if I could attend, and do very well, at a school with slightly more prestige? At the very least, a school I would enjoy more? </p>
<p>To be honest, prestige does matter; however, not to the degree people online like to say it does. For Law school, the trick is similar to medical school. Get in as least debt as possible, get good grades, get internships, destroy the lsats. </p>
<p>In this case, I don’t think so. UCSB is highly ranked for all majors you listed. So academically is going to the other schools worth the price tag?
You also have to consider, rank isn’t everything. It’s largely based on how much resources a school has, so a richer school generally has a higher rank, not necessarily a superior education. </p>
<p>If you don’t like UCSB, that’s fine. But have you been to Columbia or NYU? How do you know you’ll like it there? </p>
<p>So, Columbia would still be a feasible goal if I decide to stay at UCSB (assuming I excel in academics, find internships, and the like)? I used a variety of websites that ranked colleges, that also ranked the quality of education, but you’re right – I’ve never visited either of those colleges. I just thought I would like them better because of the location. It’s hard for me to think beyond the name on my diploma, because it seems like it’s so important when applying for grad school or even just a job post-college. Everyone makes it seem like it’s the difference between making 45k a year and 120k.</p>
<p>Yes.
Name is important sure, but how much is the undergrad name worth for you. After all, if you become a lawyer, people will be looking at your last certification, not your first. </p>
<p>Even you were able to transfer, you might need more than four years to complete your degree. That is going to be costly. If you do well at UCSB you will be able to go to an excellent Grad School. The last diploma is what counts. </p>
<p>I see, thanks you guys! I was really worried when I sent in my SIR to UCSB because it felt as if I were giving up any hope of getting into a grad school like Columbia or Stanford. </p>
bump</p>