<p>If we assume that international student could chose whether he/she wants to apply as transfer or as freshman, in what case will he/she have more chances for admission to US university (taking into consideration only GPA and SAT)</p>
<li><p>Sending school transcript with GPA 3.5 and SAT 2200+ and applying as freshman.</p></li>
<li><p>Sending college transcript of two years of studying with highest possible GPA 4.0 + same SAT results, but applying as transfer.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I’m talking about colleges that award financial aid to both international freshmen and transfer students: Middlebury, Amherst, Grinnell, Reed, St. Lawrence, Dartmouth, Oberlin, Colgate, Franklin and Marshall, Macalester, Gettysburg, Smith, Mount Holyoke, Upenn, Colby, Trinity.</p>
<p>I interpret the silence as "I don't know." I think there are too many variables and unknowns. I know one of the schools you list quite well, and I don't have a clue. I lean slightly towards the transfer route giving more chances, but it depends on that 4.0 coming from a known and reputable school. Maybe this bump will help!</p>
<p>I'm not an expert but as far as I know, transfer admission is normally more competitive than freshmen admission (fewer spots) and most of the applicants have college GPAs around 4.0.
It's almost impossible to predict chances though. I think with a GPA 3.5 (depending on courseload and rigour of high school) and a SAT 2200+ you have a shot at some colleges you listed as a freshman. I know an international girl asking for aid who got into Wellesley with 2150 and Wellesley is more selective than Smith and Mount Holyoke, for example. Anyway, GPA and SAT are just one part of your application - this is especially true for smaller LACs like those you listed (UPenn is sort of the odd one out lol).</p>