Transfering - Here I go again!

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hello, I'm about to embark on the application process, yet again! At least I've had a year off!</p>

<p>I am pretty relaxed this time, as I will be happy at my safeties, but I have some reservations about my college GPA, and I think my circumstances are a bit different, so I would appriciate any input. </p>

<p>High school stats. </p>

<p>SAT: 1560 (old), 790 Math 11C, 780 Writing, 690 Spanish
GPA: 3.95UW, 4.54W
Rank: 1/224
Lots of decent ECs....blah, blah</p>

<p>College Stats:</p>

<p>College: Swarthmore College
GPA: 3.4 <- first semester was pass/fail (I passed all of my courses) so GPA is based on only one semester
I worked A TON during college - basically I had a 40 hour work week second semester. I was also loosely involved with several student organizations. </p>

<p>That was last year. I am taking a year off this year. Here is what I am doing:
I am taking 8 units of classes at Humboldt State University (maybe more in the spring)
I am volunteering in a 6th grade classroom (math)
I am working 30 hours a week
I am training to ride my bike across the country to raise money for a project that my dad and I have been working on in Malawi, Africa. So far, a school has been built. They are looking to now build a day care center. I hope I can raise the funds for this, as well as funds for some sexual education programs and some insecticide (most of the people cannot afford bug repellent, which can potential keep them from getting malaria for the 4th, 5th, 6th time.....)</p>

<p>I am applying to:
University of British Colombia
University of Oregon
University of Washington
University of Puget Sound
Cal Poly</p>

<p>and my reaches...
Stanford
UC Berkeley</p>

<p>Any input? I know my GPA is low, but does the fact that Swat has grade deflation help any? I really think I would be happy at UBC, UWash, or Cal Poly, but are Stanford/Berkeley even worth my time/money? I am going to visit them after applications are in, as a training trip for my bike ride. . . . . . </p>

<p>in advance, thanks A LOT!</p>

2

<p>you are sooo over qualified for cal poly...</p>

3

<p>What is your major?</p>

4

<p>i think you have a great shot at stanford.</p>

5

<p>where is your residency homie?</p>

<p>and im gonna have to go against the statement "i think you have a great shot @ stanford", standford is never a match for anyone. A 3.4 with pass or fail classes is def. a reach. If im correct, you need at least a 3.5 to be considered.</p>

<p>This is what it says on their website:</p>

<p>
[quote]
The competition for transfer admission is extraordinarily keen. Typically, we admit between 8% and 10% of the 1300-1400 students who apply each year. For this reason, only students with very strong academic credentials are encouraged to apply - those with cumulative college grade point averages in the 3.5 to 4.0 range and SAT verbal/critical reading and math scores in the 650 to 800 ranges.

[/quote]
</p>

<p><a href="http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/applying/1_3a_admincriterial.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/applying/1_3a_admincriterial.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>edit: why dont you like swarthmore? just curious</p>

6

<p>yea, I read the stanford thing before, but I thought maybe Swat might be different....</p>

<p>I am thinking of majoring in anthropology with an emphasis in Islamic Studies. Does this effect my chances?</p>

<p>Part of the reason I am transfering is because I am interested in Islamic Studies and basically took all the classes that Swat had to offer in my first year. I got to know the islamic specialist on campus very well and will get a good recommendation from her. I took a senior honors course with her (double credit) and did well. Usually, this is only for seniors, and emphasizes serious reading, writing, and discussion. </p>

<p>I am also transfering becuase I want a bigger, more real life place. Swat is great for some people, but I don't like living in a bubble of college students. I often get along best with people who are substantially older than me, as I don't spend most of my time drinking, partying, etc. I need a place with more options, both academically and socially. </p>

<p>Also, I am wondering about UC Berkeley. It seems that they only accept junior transfers? Right? Well, does this mean that you need two FULL years at an undergraduate institution? Or can you fufill that requirement with APs and some college credit from years past? Could I apply as a freshman? Hmmmm....</p>

<p>THANK YOU for the guidance!!!</p>

7

<p>Also, pass/fail at Swat is not an option first semester. Thats the way they do things so that freshman can ease into the crazy academics and not ruin their GPA right off the bat.</p>

8

<p>Oh yea, I live in rural NorCal.</p>

9

<p>Given your major and your location. I think you have a good shot at UCB if you apply for junior year. Although they do not take your high school grades or test scores into consideration.</p>

10

<p>Banana: have you thought about cross-registering at Penn? If Swat doesn't have courses then you can take them elsewhere.</p>

11

<p>Banana, i think your chances for UCB are ok, however, you have to consider that UCB has thousands of applications and even though you seem like a good student, you will not get first consideration since you left the california community college system for a real university. Typically, CC students get first consideration/priority. I would go to assist.org and make sure that the pre-requisite for your major is complete. Also, you have a good chance for all the other colleges you mentioned, but i will still keep ucb and stanford as your reaches as both schools are unpredictable.</p>