Transfer to top schools

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hey all,
So its always been my dream to go to a really top top top school and so I'm going to try transferring this year. Currently starting freshman year in fall.</p>

<p>I am currently enrolled at Tufts, MA.</p>

<p>Here are my stats:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.8~
SAT: 2120
SAT II: 790 Math 690 Physics
High School: 38/45 IBDP.</p>

<p>Activities I plan to pursue at Tufts: Soccer, Mock Trials, Public Speaking, Engineers without Borders, Comm. Service.</p>

<p>EC's and stuff: IMPORTANT
Author of a book of poems. - Recently published.
Completed writing a play - To be staged in October.
Organising a one of a kind conference with international delegates/speakers. (I was the founder it was my idea. :P)
Interned at Ministry of Human Resources - India
Community Service for 4 years
Tennis for 10 years
Fluent in Italian and French.</p>

<p>Schools I'm looking at transferring into:</p>

<p>Harvard
UPenn
Columbia
Cornell
Northwestern
Brown
Swarthmore (maybe)
Other top schools</p>

<p>I plan to do something in engineering, most likely mechanical or materials and then pursue law after that.</p>

<p>Can anyone tell me whether I have a strong chance or not at any of these places?</p>

2

<p>Bump!!!</p>

3

<p>No, no one can tell you. You have no university record so far.</p>

<p>But I can tell you that if you enter a university like Tufts with the intention of transferring out, and people hate you for it, I won’t blame them.</p>

4

<p>Haha no one will hate me, I’m only considering it. Nothing is set in stone.</p>

5

<p>You’re already enrolled at a top, top, top university.</p>

6

<p>Really…only considering it? That’s not what you said the first time.</p>

<p>A young person with any sense would throw himself or herself into the academic and extracurricular opportunities available at Tufts, and make as much as possible of four years there, recognizing that there’s little, if anything, that those other colleges can offer that Tufts can’t.</p>

<p>And a young person with any sense would know that to enter Tufts saying, “It’s always been my dream to go to a really top top top school, and so I’m going to try transferring” is…so '80s.</p>

7

<p>The reason I’m thinking of transferring is also because I want to do Materials Sci rather than Mech which is all Tufts has. I thought if I am transferring why not to somewhere even better because Tufts is already excellent!</p>

8

<p>What I can tell you is that when you transfer and write your essays, don’t just say you’re doing it to go to a top school. Have actual reasons (like the materials science major isn’t offered) and talk about specific things you like at each school you apply to. Do your research. Don’t just say “for the prestige”.</p>

9

<p>@SMRSMR Of course! The materials science thing is a huge factor! My question is more to do whether I have a chance at any of the universities I’ve mentioned above!</p>

10

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</p>

<p>Way to bury the lead, Gatsby.</p>

11

<p>Hi Gatsby, feel free to apply, but be prepared for a lot of rejections. I’ve applied to most of the schools you listed above, and was rejected by all of them, thus far (only heard back from four). Look at my posts for my stats.</p>

12

<p>As far as your chances go, it depends on your college course grades. You want to maintain 3.8+ for those schools. Even then, these schools accept few people, so make sure you do all you can and earn those As.</p>

<p>If you can maintain a 3.8+ in college, you have a realistic shot.</p>

<p>Also if you really want to do materials science, I would add some schools to the list that offer that major, but aren’t as selective.</p>

13

<p>Definitely I’ll go all out to do that! But do you guys think my EC’s stand out and they’re worth highlighting in my application?</p>

14

<p>BUMP!! Anyone else?</p>

15

<p>Your ECs are fine, keep working on new ones in college. It’s how you portray them and relate them to your goals/interests that really matters.</p>

16

<p>One thing is sure: you’re not getting in on your high school record. Unless you get a 3.85+ at Tufts, I don’t see how it could happen.</p>

17

<p>Tie your ECs into your essays</p>

18

<p>How hard is it to maintain a GPA of over 3.85? I mean does it require hardwork and dedication or something more than that??</p>

19

<p>Depends on your classes. But if you work hard and manage your time right, 4.0 is definitely possible.</p>

<p>You’ll notice that you’ll have plenty of time to work and relax when you get to college. Just allocate it wisely.</p>

20

<p>Here’s my question for you, Gatsby: You obviously know what you want to do and that Tufts does not offer what you’re looking for. So, why apply there in the first place? I think your academic interests–i.e., material sciences–are a byproduct of your desire to transfer to a “top, top, top” school. In any event, I wish you the best of luck. I would take challenging courses while at Tufts and get involved in the community. And most importantly, study hard and do well. Introduce yourself to your professors at the end of your first class. I found that establishing relationships with professors and showing them how committed I am to understanding concepts and learning–by venturing to their office, participating in class, and, in general, just be a bit of a kiss-ass–can only work in your favor.</p>