I just have a question. I am a current CSU student, and I want to transfer to Ivy Leagues. I could have went to Purdue, but I chose a CSU instead because Purdue ended up being too far. I currently have straight A’s and I plan on retaking my SATs. Is there anything in particular that I need to do to raise my chances?
Just know that Ivy League admission is going to be extremely tough from a 4-year.
Make sure you have all major requirements completed ASAP and any other transfer requirements. Above all else, you’re going to need an incredibly compelling reason to transfer and an interesting profile that matches you to the school.
Hopefully you are happy staying where you are. Good luck.
@wendychase: What do you intend to study ?
Any career goals or plans ?
Please apply to more schools than just Ivies.
do you have that kind of budget? which CSU, how far along are you and what’s your major?
IMHO you should have a very good reason to do this. Just applying to a more famous school is not a good reason.
If you had written “I want to transfer to Brown” or “I want to transfer to Cornell” I would be more sympathetic. However, “I want to transfer to Ivy Leagues” makes it look like you are just doing this for the name.
My suggestion is that you figure out what you want to major in, figure out what you like and don’t like in your current school, then consider what schools might be stronger for your major and for what you like. Then consider whether you should transfer, or if you should be a bachelor’s where you are and consider getting a master’s elsewhere, or whether you should just stay put.
I am asking these questions to help you better explain the desire to transfer…
Are you seeking a more rigid curriculum like Columbia or an open curriculum like Brown?
Do you want a 15,000 student school like Cornell or a 6,000 undergrad population like Penn?
Do you want a college town like Hanover NH home of Dartmouth or an urban setting like Yale in New Haven?
Is there a specific area of study offered at Princeton that appeals to you or perhaps your a NY Giants fan (they play in NJ), or are you a life long Red Sox fan that wants to be in Boston and attend Harvard?
My point being each school in the Ivy League is unique. If you can’t articulate which and why but instead offer blanket generalities of prestige your application is likely doomed before you start. Perhaps some research.
If Purdue was too far, why are the Ivies OK? They are all even further from CA.