<p>I'm thinking of transferring from AU following my first year. I'm aiming for Ivies and Top 50 universities. What must I accomplish at AU to be a great transfer applicant? How can I increase my chances and become a desirable candidate? I feel it's better to sooner create my course of action and know where I stand. Btw, my high school stats include a NW GPA of 3.9 and rank of 5 out of over 400 students. All advice highly appreciated.</p>
<p>You haven’t even been there yet… give it a chance </p>
<p>So why are you going to American? With a good GPA you must have literally not taken your SATs to have been stuck with American as your top choice…</p>
<p>That is true I worked very hard in high school, however, I was not well-informed when applying to colleges. I didn’t know I was to take the SAT and the SAT Subject Tests until it was too late - I ended up with a sole ACT score of 29. I didn’t apply to many institutions. Northwestern rejected me, and the only reason I ended up at AU instead of a small LAC or my state school is because someone suggested it to me last minute and I ended up receiving substantial financial aid.</p>
<p>Following admission, I also worked hard on my end to receive local scholarships to cover the remaining cost. I know I have not attended yet, but finally having visited the school recently I think it is safe to say I would feel more comfortable elsewhere. </p>
<p>However, I’ve learned from my mistakes and realized information is key. It never hurts to know what’s necessary to do.</p>
<p>Read the 101 thread. But give American a chance.</p>
<p>I think that you’ll have trouble doing well at American if you’re planning on transferring before you even get there. What I mean is that you want to take interest and pride in the work you’re doing and connections you’re building at American.</p>
<p>Getting into an Ivy (of those who accept transfers) is even tougher than getting into one in the first place. Better to start figuring out how to make American work for you (or finding another school to which you can realistically gain transfer admission) before expending time and energy trying attain the holy grail.</p>
<p>take hard classes, get a 3.85 or preferably higher and you have a good shot at half of the top 20 schools</p>
<p>so many people don’t take advantage of their first year by focusing on transferring. you’re going to be in DC! That’s an amazing city with some unparalleled opportunities and it’s a city FULL of college students!</p>
<p>until you get to American in August/September, you really won’t know if it’s the right school for you. I fully support anyone wanting to transfer but give American a chance.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t go that far CountingDown. There is a big difference between trying to transfer to Harvard or Yale and trying to transfer to Penn or Cornell. Getting into Penn or Cornell is realistic, Harvard/Yale is not.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your input. I will give American a chance, but I just want a plan B. </p>
<p>Now what about the SATs? Would it be beneficial for me to take them, still? Would admissions officers mind if the scores showed I tested at a later date (following junior year)? </p>
<p>“You want to take interest and pride in the work you’re doing and connections you’re building at American” - > That is well put and I appreciate it - I will do my best to utilize all of AU’s resources and dedicate myself to my academics/activities/networking with professors and students. </p>
<p>Based on your advice it also seems that I will need to weed out my schedule. Yes, Cornell was one of the schools I had in mind.</p>