Transfer to LAC

Transfer Students
1

Hi, I’m an international student currently in NYU. I want to transfer to liberal arts college such as Grinnell, Harvey Mudd, Pomona, and Claremont in my freshmen year.
I’m currently a journalism major, but considering other options like natural science and engineering.

So my quenstions are:

  1. Does it matter what kind of courses I take at NYU before transfer? I am considering taking non-major courses to have better chance of getting higher gpa, but I'm afraid that this might harm my chance of admittance.
  2. How tough will the admission be? My stats are hs gpa- 4.4(weighted), sat-2260, act-34, ap calc/chem/bio/physics b/physics c mech/micro econ/macro econ all 5 and other two 4s. I have written two science papers with professor in my home country, been in a sports team, and have done community service for three years.
  3. I have actually turned down an offer from one of the LACs listed above. Will this fact affect my chance of admittance?

Thank you in advance.

2

it is difficult to transfer to LACs in general since they are generally small and have very few open spots for transfers.

  1. I don’t think this is much of a problem. You will most likely want to take the majority of your major courses at your new school, but it wouldn’t make sense for admissions when they see your transcript and you have nothing that pertains to your major.
  2. You have good stats but once again, transferring to LACs is difficult. On top of that, you are an international student so you will most likely get reamed in financial aid.
  3. No one can say for sure, but this most likely will not affect your chances.