<p>Hello everyone. </p>
<p>I have been perusing the forums on this website for a while as a means to gain some advice about transferring schools. I attended Loyola Chicago for my freshman year, and, after a gap year, will be transferring to another school for the fall of 2015. I was wondering what sort of issues with credits, if any, would arise in transferring from a Jesuit institution to a school such as U-Dub or UT Austin. Would those schools look at Loyola as being a “lesser institution,” thereby rendering my first year null and void? How is Loyola Chicago viewed as far as the rigor of their programs? I haven’t been able to find a terribly great amount of information regarding that, or, more specifically, the strength of their Religion and Biology programs. </p>
<p>As far as how I did at Loyola, I am not yet certain about my final grades for the year, but I know that it was at least a 3.5, as I made the Dean’s list for the 2013-2014 academic year. I don’t suppose that means much, but I think it's probably somewhat decent. I participated in a fair amount of extra-curriculars, and worked a full-time job. And, during my gap year, I am planning on teaching English abroad and interning at a church. Although the church isn’t the area I would like to work in, will its relation to my field of study be advantageous as I fill out transfer applications? </p>
<p>I have quite a large list of schools I am interested in as far as transferring goes, and some help narrowing it down would be much appreciated. I have some schools I feel wouldn’t be too terribly difficult to, at the very least, be waitlisted for, and some “reach” schools. I am aware of the increased difficulty of admission for transfer students. I am somewhat familiar with the reputation of their departments, but I would greatly appreciate some insight into the strength of their Religion and Biology programs, as well as reputation and placement in graduates school, as that is something that has eluded me. In no particular order:
University of Washington
UT Austin
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
CU-Boulder
University of California, Santa Barbara
University of Wisconsin, Madison
University of Georgia
University of Florida
University of Vermont, Burlington
University of Missouri </p>
<p>Fordham University
Santa Clara University
Spring Hill College
Grinnell College
Whitman College
Sewanee, the University of the South</p>
<p>As far as what I would consider the “reach” schools go, I have been considering:
University of Michigan
Pomona College
Reed College
Davidson College
Bates College
Emory University, at which I have a legacy by way of my father. </p>
<p>I appreciate any advice. </p>