<p>I'm currently a freshman at UC Berkeley and, frankly, I hate it here. I was admitted EA to UChicago and, in the end, my parents forced me to attend Berkeley. As a former admitted student, are my chances for transfer to here higher?</p>
<p>Can anyone give me advice? Does finishing Fall semester here at Berkeley make me eligible for transfer? Any help is appreciated.</p>
<p>You need at least 1 year of credit to apply for transfer, though you way wish to withdraw from Berkeley and reapply as a freshman if you really want to attend, taking a gap semester - the transfer admit rate is impossibly low (something like 1%) and it’s unlikely, though possible, you’ll get a second shot. What, specifically, don’t you like about Berkeley?</p>
<p>As existentialhell has pointed out transferring into Chicago has become extremely difficult in recent years due to its popularity. I believe it has been hovering around 2-4 %. Back in the early 80s the transfer rate was higher because the attrition rate with people dropping out was quite evident…very much what it is like at Caltech at present. The school back then was very monastic and difficult…but, those of us who enjoyed learning for the sake of learning, thrived…those who did not, struggled greatly. Over the years the administration has done a much better job of attracting not only the scholars but the preprofessionals to campus…as it is today. The school is doing a much better job of helping students manage their courses to graduate on time. </p>
<p>If you indeed have exhausted all avenues of happiness at Berkeley, write a fantastic essay in your application process to convince the admissions why you have a change of heart without bashing Berkeley…Good Luck.</p>
<p>first of all, let me say that I am an enthusiastic U Chicago parent. I think it is a perfect school for my son, who is extremely happy there.</p>
<p>that said, I would like to ask OP one important question: are you are a CA resident? If so, transferring from Berkeley to U Chicago will come at an extreme high price tag. well over $100K for remaining 3 years (or bit less for 2.5 year or 2 year depending on the timing of transfer). Unless your parents can pay this difference out of pocket with no sweat, this is a very, very high financial burden, either as a student loan on your part or a drain on your parents’ savings for their own retirement. </p>
<p>After all, Berkeley is not some unknown university in the middle of nowhere. It’s an internationally renowned academic powerhouse. I don’t know why you are so unhappy at Berkeley, but if it is because large class sizes and lack of faculty interaction etc, it should get better as you start taking upper level courses in your major.</p>
<p>If you are an OOS student, the financial equation works out more or less the same. Even so, there is a fairly high “opportunity cost” of transferring to a different school.</p>
<p>My advice is, sit down and think carefully why you want to transfer, what you do an do not like at Berkeley, etc. Whatever improvement you think you will get for your college experience at U Chicago should be measured against the “cost” (not just financial, but all other issues) of making such a huge change.</p>
<p>Also, remember that U Chicago may not be that perfect place for you. In such a case, it will be real shame, won’t it?</p>
<p>Money isn’t an issue. And I’m really frustrated here for several reasons: budget cuts, political standstill with the CA government, inefficient government workers, hobos (hordes of them), run-down city, huge class sizes, inaccessible professors and faculty, lack of opportunities for research, lack of intellectual stimulation, lack of any sort of peer intimacy, ect. I am looking at a 4.0 this semester with little to no effort, and the same for next semester – there’s a disgusting lack of intellectualism that UChicago has. </p>
<p>As to why I’m at Berkeley, my parents are Chinese and in the Asian world, Berkeley is a peer of Harvard. So they didn’t let me have a choice; it was either Berkeley or nothing.</p>
<p>I just need a straight-up answer: how would being accepted in the past affect my transfer application? Has anyone had any experience with this?</p>
<p>U of C accepted you EA and you chose not to go. The decision not to attend U of C was not based on financial reasons. Given the very small number of transfers accepted, what is the reason they should give you a second chance. Using the parents as an excuse won’t work.</p>
<p>I think you would have a better chance than those who did not get admitted before, providing your college gpa is not bad. I also agree with all the others above, transfers are lot harder than freshman applicants. You should try it anyway.</p>
<p>Good Luck…</p>
<p>I would apply to more schools than UChicago though so as to not pigeonhole yourself in case that doesn’t work out. Why not try Brown, Hopkins, and Penn? These schools have the highest transfer rates of all the elite private schools in the country (Ivies+Stanford+MIT+Northwestern+JHU+Duke) and with a 4.0 from Berkeley, you"ll probably get into at least one if you spread your wings a little bit. Dartmouth and Duke might be worth a try too.</p>
<p>What’s your major at UCB?</p>
<p>Oh look, another attempt by goldenboy to “subtly” bring up Duke.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, like others have pointed out, Chicago’s transfer acceptance rate is much, much lower than its freshman rate. Sorry that you’re stuck at Berkeley, but it’s still a very good school.</p>
<p>My issue has been resolved; thanks everyone!</p>
<p>
No, I explicitly mentioned it–there was nothing subtle about it.:D</p>
<p>I don’t see anything out of line with what I suggested. I’m not sure why you chose to fixate on that one detail.</p>