Transfer suggestions for friend

Transfer Students
1

<p>She is a freshman James Scholar at UIUC right now -- a lot of things aren't fitting for her well, academically or socially. A smaller, more close-knit environment, with less party- and frat-dominated socializing, with more of a liberal arts feel to it, seems best. However, at the same time, she wants to have opportunities in biology (but she wants a curriculum that's well rounded and flexible). Of course, it is fairly early, but there are a lot of negative factors, so she's looking into potential transfers. She's from a low incomeish household, at around 55k, and she's not really getting sufficient financial aid at UIUC either. </p>

<p>She likes UChicago, but of course, that's a tough reach for anybody to transfer to, so what kinds of other colleges would work for her? I was thinking a liberal arts college in a city, like Macalester, would provide internship opportunities (she's thinking about being a physician's assistant down the road) for her. </p>

<p>She was the salutatorian of her high school and had straight A's but for one B (3.98 UW), and she was involved in orchestra, volunteering (Volunteen, at a hospital), Environmental Action Club (vice president, competitions), arts internships for three years, Key Club, going abroad to Costa Rica, and tutoring. She took the ACT twice, and got a 28 both times, but with different ranges in scores (if they superscored the ACT, it would have been a 30 -- but I'm not sure what, if any, colleges do that?). I don't know which colleges will allow retaking the ACTs/SATs for transfer students, though I think she could improve the score if necessary.</p>

<p>She's taking an Honors Biological Anthropology course (which she loves), an Intro to Molecular Biology, Chemistry 102 (103 for lab), and Spanish 103. The Anthro course could provide a really good rec. for her, since the teacher's very qualified and excellent. Unfortunately, the Bio TA in charge of her group speaks English poorly. </p>

<p>Thanks for any help!</p>

2

<p>I guess I’ll bump this once</p>

3

<p><em>Cough</em> Sorry…</p>

4

<p>you’re quite an authority on your “friend’s” educational record</p>

5

<p>…Is there something, like, morally wrong with that?</p>

6

<p>i think he/she is implying that your “friend” is you in disguise. regardless, tell “her” that she just started college so don’t be afraid to shoot higher. Don’t give up on UChicago. If she wants to go there, then do everything in your power to get in. It doesnt hurt to try. </p>

<p>From the likes of it, it sounds like “she” is smart. So just believe and you got a chance.</p>

7

<p>I figured that was what he/she was implying, but, no, we’re actually best friends, and I’m graduating high school this next year.</p>

<p>Regardless – the main thing about UChicago is that it’s a big reach for anybody to transfer to. If she applies only there, and gets rejected (and is still unhappy with UIUC), that’d obviously be a big disappointment. I just listed all the specific details to give people here a better idea where she would have maybe better “chances” to transfer into an equally good environment/school. </p>

<p>Thanks, I’m trying to keep her spirits up!</p>

8

<p>Haverford… one hour from Philadelphia with great bio program… good?</p>

9

<p>Hmm, I’m looking into Haverford’s common data set. Not too many transfer applicants–main problem is that there’s only maybe 8% of those applicants getting accepted. Thanks! </p>

<p>Also, does anybody know which colleges accept a new SAT/ACT for transfer applicants, and which don’t?</p>