Weighted HS GPA: Not sure, got A average grade between all my AP courses
Class Rank: High school: 39/158
ACT/SAT Scores: 1310 (650 EBRW/660 Math)
College GPA: 4.0/4.0
Coursework
AP World History: 4
AP U.S. History: 3
AP Lang & Comp: 4
Dual Enrollment Calc 1 & 2: A- College Courses
1st Semester: Introduction to International Relations, French 1, Introduction to Policy Analysis, Study of Globalization, Freshman Writing
In Progress: Class & Literary Texts, Social & Political Philosophy, Political Theory, Anthropology: Transnationalism & Refugees, French 2
Awards
Honors Student (applied/accepted for Spring semester)
Dean’s List (3.4 GPA to get on, even worth mentioning on apps?)
College Extracurriculars
Student Government: Assembly Clerk/Representative
Residence Hall Association: Community Representative
Review Board for University Police (Appointed)
Volunteering w/ Local Refugee organization
Ski Team
French Club
Full-time ski instructor over winter break
Essays/LORs/Other
One strong professor recommendation, one good professor recommendation, one strong professional recommendation (offered before I even asked).
Cost Constraints / Budget
EFC: 0
Cost is a very important factor
Schools
Match?:
Boston University
Northeastern University
Boston College
Reach:
Dartmouth College
Georgetown University
While Dartmouth and Georgetown are my top picks I think I would be happy at any of these schools. Being closer to home (southern NH) is somewhat important since affording plane tickets/having to drive far would be/has been burdensome.
Some Questions:
Will a gradual progression from a B average freshman year of high school to an A average senior year and 4.0/honors in college have any bearing on my admissions decision?
How will applying as a freshman affect my chances since I only have one semester’s grades to show for?
I know someone who transferred from Syracuse to Dartmouth for your major but don’t know their stats. I think Georgetown puts a lot of weight on high standardized test scores. Can I ask out of curiosity what you don’t like about Syracuse?
Why are you looking to transfer? I think Georgetown and Dartmouth will be tough - though I’m not sure of their transfer #s. With your intended major, why not American or GW? With the exception of Georgetown (and maybe Dartmouth), I think those have better programs in international relations than many you have listed. Tufts also has a really strong program so I’d replace one of the other Boston schools with that (although it is another reach).
This is true. Georgetown still requires standardized tests, including every sitting. Your SAT scores is good, but relatively low for applicants to Gtown, let alone transfer applicants.
The OP stated in the 1st post that the EFC is zero. AU and GWU are not known as schools that are great with near-full-need FinAid. It appears the OP is targeting applications to schools who meet full need.
Makes sense. Finances need to come first. Of course, Syracuse isn’t noted for their generous FA either so I guess that is the reason for my thinking American or GW might work.
As a suggestion, look into Connecticut College. If you might be willing to travel farther, research the University of Richmond, which offers especially generous financial assistance.
My primary motive for transferring is financial but on top of that, I don’t really like the campus culture here. This is quite a generalization but it seems like most people do the bare minimum to get by so they have more time to party. Atop that, I don’t feel like I’m being challenged in my courses. Granted, it is my freshman year but I think that shouldn’t be an excuse for me to pay thousands to take courses easier than what I had in high school.
I replied to @Mom270 with why I’m looking to transfer. As for GW and American, I’ve already applied to both… twice (I took a gap year because of COVID and finances). I got into both the second time around but as someone else said they aren’t the most generous with aid.
Thanks for the links! I think I should have put more emphasis on distance in my 1st post, since traveling far will be pretty burdensome. So unless I get into Georgetown (which is already a reach) I can’t really justify traveling.