Transfer tips and advice?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Johns Hopkins University
1

I was very nervous to do this, and still am. I know how competitive college is these days, and I know the harsh reality of my high school career: it’s not very stellar. So, I’m asking for help with transferring. I’ll give a little bit of a run down:

  • Originally planned on going to a very accepting state school, didn't try Freshman or Sophomore year (3.0 cumulative from those years) until visiting the Hopkins campus and falling in love with it, this year. I'm a high school senior, and instead of settling for a school I don't love, I want to give it my all at transferring. Okay, anyways.
  • Got very ill sophomore year, failed a class due to a teacher who was unwilling to help, and this lowered my GPA significantly, and prevented me from qualifying to take weighted classes that would have propelled my GPA. So academically, I look very bad compared to my peers, as I come from a prestigious high school in a prestigious area.
  • SAT is low compared to what I need to get into either of my top schools, being Pomona College and Hopkins. Want to improve this, but am wondering if the ACT would be a better fit. (1250 cold score)
  • Cumulative GPA: 3.2 weighted, 3.1 unweighted. I know. Sad.

ECs:

  • High school swim (varsity 3/4 years) pursued the sport because I loved it and it helped me overcome depression/anxiety.
  • Club swim for 3 years. About 12 hrs a week on average, 45-48 weeks of the year.
  • Job this summer, around 16-20 hours a week

Listen, I know how underwhelming and silly this is! But I’m willing to work hard, and try hard, and believe in myself. I’m not asking for anyone to tell me that I won’t get in, because 99% of myself knows that… I’m asking for some advice! I aim to major in Writing Seminars, and even Interdisciplinary Learning. I’ve applied to several state schools in CA, but it’s unlikely I will attend if I get accepted, unless a miracle happens and I fall in love, but I highly doubt I will. A community college is my best bet. The things I wanna know are:

  • ACT or SAT?
  • SAT subject tests: should I take one?
  • Classes recommended for transfer? (I know you can't ask admissions officers, but I was assuming the IGETC transfer program classes would work well.)
  • Extracurriculars: how do I set myself apart? How many is enough?
  • How much does high school matter in the grand scheme of things?
  • The silliest one: is it possible?

Tell me your transfer experiences to JHU! I would love to know them. How did you get in, etc, for what majors. I’m just looking for some information. I know it’s unrealistic, but I want to try my hardest. There’s only so much a college counselor helping sixty other kids can make you feel okay about. Sorry if this is a bit ramble-y, I just want to start preparing now! I hope someone can provide some insight.

2

@aquitane Yes, it’s possible, but your college grades better be really, really good. (Like, 4.0-good.) I wouldn’t even think about applying to transfer as a freshman, either (you will need a LOT more than one semester of grades to make up for your high school grades).

With extracurriculars, quality outweighs quantity. Colleges at that level would much rather see someone who is exceptional and has led a national movement, or won a state award, etc. than someone who aimlessly joined several clubs on campus.

I would take the most rigorous classes you can handle (and still get good grades in), join the honors program, make Phi Theta Kappa, etc.

3

What is your intended major?

I agree with @thetransfercoach that one option is to ace your first two years at university, and try to transfer at the end of your sophomore year (of course you would send in the transfer application during your sophomore year).

If you are planning a major that requires more than a 4 year bachelors degree, another option is to ace your four years of undergrad, and apply to JHU for graduate school.

I do know a few people who did badly in high school, did very well at a pretty good university, and then either transferred to a top school or did graduate study at a top school and aced that also.