<p>I was waitlisted at Boston University this year and intend to transfer, but I have to wait one year since I wasn't admitted. I had a 1270 SAT, class rank was 11 with a 96/100 GPA. I was thinking about transfering 2nd semester to Northeastern, but I would still want to transfer to BU the following fall. Is transfering twice a bad idea? I'm under the impression that they'll feel like I'm unreliable and jumping around, and accordingly will reject me. Any idea how difficult it is to transfer into BU?</p>
<p>transferring twice is a terrible idea.</p>
<p>I thought so, I guess I'll stick it out.</p>
<p>i transferred twice and it is not a terrible idea..</p>
<p>If everything goes well in the fall for me, I will have transferred twice as well. It has taken me longer, and I've had to retake a few things (and I'll probably have to retake a few more), but I'm not complaining. It took me a while to figure out where I needed to be... and what I needed to be doing.</p>
<p>Do you guys think it would kill my chances of getting into BU?</p>
<p>not unless you're moving up...</p>
<p>Well, I'd like to transfer to Northeastern, which is below BU--so I would be moving up. I'll just stick it out.</p>
<p>if you would be satisfied with graduating from your current school, then stay put since you don't know what would happen. if not, and if you would be content with graduating from northeastern, go to northeastern. you need a backup plan if you don't get into BU.</p>
<p>castyourstones, where are you going this fall? If it is a semi-respectable school, you should stay there for the year and then transfer to BU.</p>
<p>i'm assuming it is lower than northeastern, which is ranked 115th on usnews. but i had no idea transferring into bu was that competitive..</p>
<p>Rankings Smankings. Don't base your decision on the U.S. News Rankings. The methodolgy used to rank schools is biased in favor of traditional schools. Northeastern is unique. It is an orange among apples. In reality, NEU is really a top 60-70. Here's why:</p>
<p>The U.S. News methodology is flawed because it assumes that all colleges are following a traditional academic curriculum (i.e. comparing apples to apples). But Northeastern does things quite differently. It is one of only a handful of schools to have a fully integrated co-op program (i.e. it is an orange). For example, the way the current methodology works, the rankings make it appear as if Northeastern has a high student/faculty ratio. But this is only because U.S. News assumes that all students are on campus taking classes at the same time. This is far from the case; nearly half of the upper-class students are off campus interning at companies (unlike most schools, Northeastern students follow rotations where they alternate semesters of academics with semester long internships related to their major). Anyone who knows Northeastern knows that class sizes are actually on the small side (esp. upperclass courses). The amount of money spent per student and faculty resources rank also seem low in comparison to other schools in the top 60, but again this is only because U.S. News assumes that all students are on campus at the same time using resources. Students who are on co-op should be excluded because they do not pay tuition while theyre interning. Northeastern really has more money to spend on the students who are on campus taking classes. Again, anyone who has visited Northeastern recently knows that the school has plenty of money. All the facilities are new and the professors, administrators, etc. are earning top dollar. </p>
<p>Another flaw in the U.S. News rankings methodology is the use of a six year graduation retention rate. Again, U.S. News assumes that all schools are following a traditional four year academic model. But again, Northeastern does things differently. A very large number of NEU students choose the five year co-op program (a four year program is available but for some reason it is less popular). Northeastern also offers a six year PharmD program. Obviously, Northeastern's graduation stats would be significantly higher if U.S. News factored this into the rankings. But they don't.</p>
<p>Northeastern's rating, although still top tier (under the new ranking system), simply does not add up. Still, even with its nontraditional curriculum, Northeastern has been climbing in the rankings. This is primarily because the university has made significant gains in selectivity. Northeastern should continue to rise as it becomes more nationally known. This year, the university received 6500 EA apps out of a total of 27,100 apps which is a new record. The acceptance rate was in the low 40% range. The university is also in the process of hiring 100 new star faculty. The new faculty will significantly lower the university's student/faculty ratio (this should make up for the shortfall in the rankings).</p>
<p>As a side note, the university administration has been lobbying U.S. News to make some changes to their rankings methodology so that it takes into account the universitys nontraditional academic curriculum. So who knows, Northeastern may finally get the credit that it deserves.</p>
<p>**As another side note, external research funding to Northeastern increased by a whopping 45% this year. The increase can be attributed to the ambitious faculty hiring plan. All these new star profs that the university has been hiring are bringing their research grants with them.</p>
<p>I'm going to Rutgers-New Brunswick. I don't think BU is difficult to transfer to, I just don't want to wait the full year to move to Boston. I realize transfering twice is a bad idea, I'll stick it out for a year.</p>
<p>sorry if i'm thread jacking..but overall, do graduate schools (medical schools in particular) care if you transferred twice?</p>
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sorry if i'm thread jacking..but overall, do graduate schools (medical schools in particular) care if you transferred twice?
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<p>I've heard that they do unless you have a really good reason why you transferred so many times. However, I'm not sure. I'm sorta in the same boat (I went from a four year to a CC and back to a four year in the fall) but I really don't think transferring twice could be helped in my situation. Hopefully, I'll apply to law school. If not grad school. I know that law schools allow you to add addendums to the applications explaining things like transferring twice. I would imagine that med schools allow for the same thing. Honestly, if there's not something pressing (like a medical issue or family issue) that is making you transfer twice then I would really advice you not to do it. It is a pain. Also, transfer admission at most competitive schools is even harder than first year admissions. Not to mention that you have to wait longer for finanical aid and longer to do things like register for classes. Try to transfer only once if possible.</p>