Transfering, need advice...

Transfer Students
1

<p>First, I'll just say, I wrote probably about 1,000 words and tried to post. It said I wasn't logged in and now have to rewrite everything. Oh well.</p>

<p>Anyway, here is my situation:</p>

<p>I am at Hofstra with a 3.84 GPA after my first semester. I'm on my way to hopefully keep that 3.8+ GPA, but don't know if I want to stay at Hofstra.</p>

<p>My highschool GPA was probably 3.2-3.5 (unweighted 87) and SATS 1180. ECs, if they matter, are track, snowboard club, cheerleading senior year, musical senior year, and musical first semester of college (4 hours 6 days a week killed me, so nothin this semester).</p>

<p>I'm an accounting major, but switching to what I really want to pursue: psychology (double english maybe, for my own love of writing, so creative writing focus) and then, hopefully, go to law school afterwards and combine both those loves of mine. </p>

<p>What schools in the NE (New York preferrably) should I look into with a decent chance to transfer into my junior year (or mid sophmore)?? </p>

<p>I was thinking for my first choice I'd go with Cornell (strong psych program and prestige). Is that possible for me? I have 3 friends who are going there from my graduating class who love it, so I think I'd like the school (they seem to take a lot of kids from my highschool).</p>

<p>Any other college ideas are helpful. </p>

<p>Below is a more detailed response of why I'm leaving Hofstra:
(It's for those with the time/effort to read. I'd be greatful if people can read this and help me out, I'm sort of lost)</p>

<p>Well, as you can see above, my high school grades are not great (for me at least). In high school I didn't try or care. I was immature and lazy. I somehow managed to keep up an 87 average (unweighted, don't know weighted average, but it's probably higher because of APs). I got an 1180 on my SATs with little preparation and was stupid and didn't try retaking it. So, I ended up putting no thought to college and just applied to two schools I thought I'd get into: Northeastern and Hofstra. Hofstra gave me more money and was overall less expensive, so that was my decision. </p>

<p>I've enjoyed my classes and my professors have been very informative and taught me a lot (especially my english professor). However, there are a two main reasons I want to leave: Prestige and People. </p>

<p>The people here are ok and I am a friendly guy so I don't mind anyone, but my classes are filled with (to be nice) not so smart people. Yet, it's not really from an actual intelligence standpoint mostly, it's from the fact that they are just ignorant, annoying, and immature. Also, many of them just don't value education and skip class, don't pay attention, don't do any work, and it's ridiculous how little it seems they want to learn. It's just, I've grown out of my immaturity (although I was never that bad) and this seems like a second high school. It doesn't seem to be for me. </p>

<p>In addition to the people, there is the prestige. It seems Hofstra just won't help me land as good of a job or help me get into a good law school. I do realize Hofstra has a pretty good law school, but I just feel I'm settling. However, I'm not sure how good or bad Hofstra is (an honest opinions wanted), but I know it's not great and think I could and should aim higher. It would not only maybe improve my education, but it will also (hopefully) improve the atmosphere as well.</p>

<p>What do you all think?</p>

<p>Any advice, opinions, and help are really appreciated. I'm sorry this post is so lengthy (it was longer the first time I attempted posting ha), I have a lot to say I guess (usually do, lol).</p>

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<p>That's very similar to how I feel about my university too. In the end, it's not horrible; it's just not a very good fit.
If you are going to transfer, you're probably going to need to retake the SATs, as much of a pain in the ass as that is. Your 3.8 is good, but your scores are just too low. You'll need SAT IIs probably too, although I'm less sure about the policy on those for transfer applicants. Also, maybe join some clubs, do leadership activities, etc.</p>

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<p>Thank you. </p>

<p>Exactly, it's not that I'm really unhappy here, but it just doesn't seem right in many aspects. So I think transfering would be a good idea.</p>

<p>And yea, SATs suck, especially because my PSATs said I'd get in the 1300s - low 700s for math, low 600s for english. Yet I did worse and didn't prepare, my own fault really. </p>

<p>However, I heard that SATs and such don't matter if you transfer as a junior (I guess I'd be giving in applications this coming winter). I'm not sure though, because I don't know enough on it.</p>

<p>Also, I definetly want to join clubs, I did last semester and it was fun, but it KILLED ME. I have no idea how I managed to do my work, I had lots of nights with very little sleep and even tried some days to pull in going to the gym too (which is a mile walk to even get there). I had rehearsals for the musical 6 days a week, 3-4 hours each day and they wanted us practicing the stuff outside of it too because the guy who came in for the music hardly came to ever help so we did things to the CD. It was honestly ridiculous. </p>

<p>Next semester I'll join a club or 2 that I think I'll like that will hopefully have less crazy hours because 24 hours a week was too much and I want to have time to sleep, work, and maybe get time to relax once and a while.</p>

<p>Anyway, so, what schools do people think I should shoot for? What can I do to help my chances at somewhere like Cornell? Do I need to take my SATs again? Any help appreciated, thanks.</p>

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<p>I've heard that when transferring, you arent supposed to take the SATs again.</p>

5

<p>That works for me, I'd rather not take them.</p>

<p>Well, another question I have to ask.</p>

<p>Does it matter what courses you've taken? </p>

<p>Because my first semester I didn't take anythig really along the lines of what I want to transfer for next year (since mostly I took things to cover core classes). Also, this semester I've taken 2 courses that apply to a business major at my school (prereqs) and I'm not going to be a business major anymore. </p>

<p>So, how much would this weigh when transfering for psychology? I am going to start up on my psych classes next semester, one will be a psych elective without prereqs and intro to psych. The rest need prereqs that I have yet to take :( It's such a lie when people say you can switch majors and change your mind! It really does effect you! </p>

<p>Anyway, I guess I'll do my best trying to squeeze in more psych/english stuff (would like to double major), but don't know how much they'll weigh the classes I've taken. </p>

<p>Will they look down on my GPA if my classes aren't in my major?
How about the level of difficulty of the courses/college? I just would think if they saw some kid taking similar classes at a better college than Hofstra they might assume I didn't have it as hard and look down at my GPA. That true?</p>

<p>Anyway, still looking for opinions on Cornell and what some other schools I should I look into are.</p>

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<p>I believe the SAT is optional for Cornell transfer applicants. What I don't know, however, is what kind of affect not submitting scores can have.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
I've heard that when transferring, you arent supposed to take the SATs again.

[/quote]

Why is that?</p>

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<p>Well, either way, it seems SAT scores won't matter much I'm assuming.</p>

<p>Anyone think I have a chance at Cornell?</p>

<p>I am registering for next semester this monday and taking:</p>

<p>-Intro to Psych
-Psych and the Law
-Psych of Personality
-Psych Statistics (pre-req to take other courses in Spring at Hofstra)</p>

<p>I'm then going to take one other course, probably an english course of some sort, not sure. It's kind of a lot of psychology courses, but I took nothing this year because I didn't really know my major and then chose accounting. It sorta sucks, but I think those courses will be interesting, mostly the Law and Personality one. Is it a good idea to be taking all those psych courses to catch up? Spring next year I'll hopefully take a Psych of Dreams course, and at least one other course that the Stats course is the pre req for. </p>

<p>If I keep up my 3.8+ this semester and that semester and then apply to transfer for junior year, you think that'll be ok? </p>

<p>And again, anyone know anyone other schools I should look into?</p>

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<p>I have a feeling this post is far too long for people to read now.</p>

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<p>I'm certaintly no expert, but I don't think it looks good to be taking all psych classes in your third semester. Have you already completed all the gen. ed courses at your school? for Cornell?</p>

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<p>^Well my first year I've taken a lot of my gen. ed courses. I need 33 core credits at Hofstra and all I have left is...</p>

<p>3 credits math/science
3 credits literature
3 credits cross culture</p>

<p>That's it. At Cornell I've looked at my courses and other than an acting class, business math and business computer class, (which I didn't bother to find) my other courses were at Cornell, well similar ones. For example, this semester I'm taking Astrobiology and Cornell has a course called "The Search For Life on Other Planets." </p>

<p>The courses I'm mainly missing at Cornell are science/math courses. I need 12-15 more credits (depending if the math I took counts for them) in math/science to complete those cores. I am pretty sure they'd consider me done with the social sciences/humanities and I just need some type of oral speech class (I think) to finish my english stuff.</p>

<p>So, that's why all there is left is psych type classes, especially because I didn't take any this year. I'll be taking intro to psych over the summer, another 2-3 in the fall, and 2 in the spring. </p>

<p>I think it might look bad too, but I really don't know what to do.</p>

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<p>juicyfruit - it really depends on the school. Some schools really don't care about HS stats or SAT scores. </p>

<p>I guess the important thing is either to show improvement or at least consistency from HS to your current college. </p>

<p>You want to hear something crazy?</p>

<p>I'm currently a fourth year at UVa and I'm trying to transfer to Caltech. If I don't get into tech, I would graduate this May with Biochemistry BS/Physics BA, and math minor. </p>

<p>But the school doesn't fit me at all. And after four years, I think I've at least tried to make it fit (or rather, fit into it).</p>

<p>Plus, I decided that I want to learn physics and go to grad school in physics. </p>

<p>I think if you really believe that you'd be happy at another school, then go for it. </p>

<p>Most things (stats and such) will pale next to obvious passion and enthusiasm for the new school.</p>

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<p>Before transferring, you should contact the school at Cornell where you want to apply & ask them what courses you'll need & what you should take over the summer -- You might want to get the prerequisites out of the way before -- Also, the SATs are NOT a factor in the decision process for transfers; they serve a purpose of predicting how a student will do freshman year and your transcript will tell them what they need. Your ECs and community service better be good -- and your essays have to be the best that they can be; they will be read usually by 2 or 3 people. They carry a great deal of weight as does an interview if the school requires or suggests it. You need to contact the transfer advisor at the school you're applying to and ask him/her for help. It's why they're there.</p>

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<p>That is pretty crazy, but goodluck with that.</p>

<p>The one thing that makes me feel slightly nervous about transfering is it being too difficult, yet there are kids from my highschool who are going to Yale, Cornell, and other great schools... I was in AP classes with them and they weren't much smarter (if smarter) than me. The one thing they had that I didn't was determination. I've gained that now though, I try and I take pride in my work. I just think if I'm going to stay at Hofstra, I won't feel perfect here and I'd rather have a better fit.</p>

<p>I love my more challenging classes here, the ones that are interesting and make me think and have to try. It's trying harder that makes me learn more. If you don't overcome difficulties you won't be learning much. So, I just really want to go to a school like Cornell that I know will give me the challenges I'm looking for and can give me a great education. </p>

<p>I'm in school to learn and look back and take pride in what I've accomplished. I want to be able to do something I enjoy and be able to look back on it in a positivelight. I don't think I'll have that at Hofstra.</p>

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<p>I would write what you just wrote in an essay, :). I hope you get into Cornell.</p>

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<p>^LOL, I actually was planning on keeping these posts for when I do try to apply. There is a lot of raw writing here I could draw from to get ideas and flesh out an essay. </p>

<p>I honestly write far too much sometimes (sorry for all those who hate to read and thanks for those who bothered to read). I just have a lot to say I guess, lol. I think it's a good thing though - for colleges at least. It seems writing is one of the most important (if not the most) parts of college. If you can't write, you'll just sink, and fast. I guess math/science related majors might not need to write, but liberal arts majors definetly do.</p>

<p>Anyway, thanks again for those who have replied and hopefully I can get more advice and replies, anyone who takes the time to bother I really appreciate.</p>