HI.
I’m a first year here but I want to transfer to some of other top tier university. I have spent time at Stanford, Harvard, Columbia and Brown and they are among the 5 ( UPenn is the last one) colleges Im applying for transfer at. I I’ve done somewhat research and I know its unbelievably hard to get through. Im already on the common application for those colleges I want to transfer to.
I have a 33 on ACT and I have respectable international achievements through high school.
I am also involved in respected RSOs in my school right now.
Assuming I keep a gpa of more than 3.5, what else would you suggest ?
Mainly Im looking for some help with essays and could you suggest any sources for essays ?
Is there any facebook group for transfer applicants ?
Is there any specific source which deals in transfers ?
Is there anyone who has actually gone through the process of transferring himself from a top tier school to another top tier school who can help me ?
I am surprised you want to transfer from Chicago. It is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best, schools in the US. However, with that said, your ACT or SAT score is IRRELEVANT as a transfer student. Say that five times. I don’t know what you need to get into those other schools though. Normally, from state schools, you would need a 3.8+. I don’t know what you would need from a school like Chicago.
Well, since you are a first year student now, your test scores will come into play somewhat. You don’t have enough of a college academic record to base the admission decision on solely. At the most, these schools will see your grades from the first two quarters but maybe only the first quarter at UChicago.
You are correct that it is going to be very challenging to get in as a transfer. This means that not only do you have to have strong grades but you have to have a compelling reason for transferring and you need to make that case in your essay. Since you were able to get into UChicago, you should have the ability to make this case and it would be dangerous to get an essay form “sources”.
Stanford admits very few transfer students; historically, about half of those whom it does admit have come from community colleges, and many have come from non-traditional backgrounds (e.g. military veterans).
Why do you want to transfer? UChicago is very, very respectable.
Also, did you apply to any of those five as a freshman, and what were the decisions?
High school will be moderately considered because you’re a freshman, but honestly the biggest thing considered will probably be your reason for transferring and your success at UChicago. If you succeed there, you’ll probably succeed at any of the 5. Even so, it will be difficult. Top tier schools aren’t keen on transfers.