<p>So I am wondering whether I should transfer this fall to a 4 year institution or apply for next fall. I am currently attending a community college. I have transferred to a 4 year institution before but due to financial issues I had to drop out. My grades at the 4 year institution were mediocre but that was because I had to struggle to keep two jobs while dealing with a full load of course work. I am a cosmopolitan man. I think I would stand out if my numbers were within range to be admitted. I can write application essays from so many unique standpoints, given my background (half Asian half Caucasian, grew up overseas, international high school, missionary parents who both now teach in universities).</p>
<p>My stats are as such:
High School: <3.0 (High school was an international school overseas, three AP courses with all As, freshman and sophomore years horrible and improved dramatically for junior and senior, but alas it wasn't enough)
SAT score: 1850
College: 3.78 (also went to a 4 year SUNY for 1 semester)
Major: Philosophy and Sociology</p>
<p>I am half Asian half Caucasian.</p>
<p>Extracurricular:
Had a string of part time and full time jobs for the past two years since I graduated from high school including cashiering, computer lab assistant, research assistant, painting and what not.
First Aid certificate
Varsity Soccer and Volleyball in high school
Model UN
Band (rock band, played at school festivals)
Philosophy Club
Tsunami relief in Thailand (helped rebuild houses and translate for doctors)
Various other forms of community service like helping in homeless shelters</p>
<p>Honors:
Phi Theta Kappa
Dean's List</p>
<p>Schools I am thinking of applying to in the fall to transfer in the Spring:</p>
<p>Cornell
WUSTL
Emory
Oberlin
Beloit
University of Rochester
Wake Forest
UC Berkeley
OSU - Columbus (this is my safety school. I am almost certain I will be accepted)
Amherst College</p>
<p>For entering in the fall (applying in the spring) I believe my GPA will climb even higher and it also opens opportunities for me to apply to other top schools as well as gives me the chance to complete my Associate's degree (in case I want to find a good job to help pay off some of the expenses for these expensive sticker schools. What are my chances if I apply this spring to enter in the fall for these schools:
Any of the ivy leagues (name the ones I stand a chance at)
Any of the top 25 liberal arts colleges in USNWR
Any of the top 25 colleges that aren't ivy in USNWR</p>
<p>Should I apply this fall or be patient and wait until the Spring? What are the chances of me getting into the schools on my list if I apply this fall?</p>
<p>I think that you are in good shape for many of the schools you are applying to, including some of the Ivies, although your position the Ivies might be more difficult because you will be applying to the more competitve arts and science colleges.</p>
<p>You should try Cornell, Penn, Brown, and maybe Dartmouth among the ivies. However, it is your essays that will probably define whether or not you get in, not your GPA (because your GPA is already competitive. You can have a chance at Northwestern, WUSTL, Emory, and most of the schools you have listed, althoguh transfer admissions is tricky, so none of them (except OSU) are a safety.</p>
<p>Be aware about financial aid because many schools (including Brown) are only need-aware for transfers. Some, like Northwestern, don’t provide you any grants whatsoever during the first year. If you want financial aid as a transfer, do your research. UC Berkeley will not offer you any good aid because you are out of state and they give major priority to CCC applicants and instaters, so you might be at a disadvantage there.</p>
<p>Don’t be fazed by the very low transfer rates. Apply broadly (to twenty or so if you have money) if you want to attend a sticker school and write your essays carefully, esp. for the schools you are more interested in attending. The rates change from year to year based upon new housing availability, retention rate, etc., so don’t apply only to those with a higher rate. Claremont McKenna this year is a good example of this (normally 10%, this year 30% because of new housing). </p>
<p>Also, get exceptional recommendations and try to get involved with the faculty in the labs and research. That will take you a long way in the process.</p>
<p>You may want to check out the transfer credit policies at the schools on your list. I have been on Wake Forest’s website because my daughter is transferring there this fall.</p>
<p>Many of their departments, including philosophy and sociology, do not give transfer credit for courses taken at 2-year or community colleges. Many of the schools on your list are very competitive, and may have similar restrictive transfer credit policies.</p>
<p>I am not trying to discourage you, just making you aware.</p>
<p>is it easier to get into cornell via spring or fall transfer? less people apply for the spring semester … but is that good or bad? and they also want less right?</p>