<p>Im a sophomore at Swarthmore College. I have a 3.0 GPA and 3.3 Hist. Major GPA, but have been taking pretty hard classes here and will probably do honors. I have a 1390 SAT, 740Math1C, and 740 Writing. I have a bunch of pretty good ECs so that shouldn't be an issue. I want to transfer out of here. I'm taking classes at UPenn, and have found them to be a lot easier, and far more intellectually relaxed. I'd like to go there. What are my chances? Also, what other places with good IR/Hist departments that are in the general prestige range of Swarthmore that I may have a good shot at. Also does anyone know about the visiting student at Harvard program, if so what are my chances there. I wouldn't mind spending a year at another school, and then coming back and graduating here either. Thanks for all your help, I really feel like i need to be away from here.</p>
<p>I know Swat has a reputation for being grade deflated, but your gpa still seems kind of low for transferring to other top-notch schools. I dunno about Penn, but I would say you have no shot at harvard.</p>
<p>Your post indicates that you would like to leave Swat for a less intense scholastic (intellectual?) atmosphere. At the same time you state that you would like to do honors at Swat. Will doing honors at Swat put you into an even more intense intellectual atmosphere or does it revolve more around personal direction and autonomous research?</p>
<p>You state you need to get away. Do you know what you want to get away from? Is Penn different enough from Swat, is Harvard? All 3 are very different schools. You need to know exactly what you want to leave and what you are hoping to find before you make a jump. Do you know what it is you are hoping to find? </p>
<p>How long have you felt a need to get away: is this a sudden feeling or have you been thinking about it for awhile. </p>
<p>To answer your question. Yes, you can get into Penn. I don't know anything about the Harvard program.</p>
<p>Hey I feel like you interpreted my post well, btw my SATs are actually 1410 I made a mistake. I feel that my style of learning is somewhat incompatible with that of Swarthmore. But I decided to do the honors program here because its seminar style and discussion based and allows you to research on your own, which I like more than large lectures which are curved so that the average is a C (I kid you not, that's how it is in Swarthmore's 'weed out' courses). I also prefer a larger school where I can meet new people more often, and find people who are more like me. I feel that a specific type of people interested in an arduous environment gravitate to Swarthmore. People are working constantly, and the effort required to succeed here makes you de-prioritize all your other interests. Athletes (which I am) and other groups who are mainstream in the real world become minorities here. That being said, I think it is a great school, but not really for me. I think transferring as an upper classmen to a bigger school will allow me to have the best of both worlds. That is to be in a bigger school, but still not have to take the really large lecture classes. Also, I am looking to work in business and Swarthmore just does not have the recruiting resources that larger schools have. One other important thing: academically, there is no IR department at Swarthmore, a subject I would like to study. I guess I'm pretty much set on leaving Swarthmore, at least for next year. I liked Penn, but as you said am not really sure about the characteristics of other schools. In my experience at Swarthmore, I have realized that the only way to actually know the school is to attend. So, if any of you study at schools that seem like realistic choices, and are compatible with my interests (bigger, prestigious, good IR department, good campus recruitment, without high degree of academic intensity) please discuss.</p>
<p>I think with a 3.0 it will be difficult to stay at the prestige level of Swarthmore. I would say your best shots are Northwestern and Cornell.</p>
<p>cornell and northwestern have both gotten extremely competitive. CAS supposedly only accepts 8% and with a 3.0, i dont think thats competitive enough to compete with other applicants.</p>
<p>I would actually suggest Georgetown. Not as prestigious as Swat, but for most practical purposes it is. And I think its a great fit, plus you have a good shot.</p>
<p>Swat has a reputation for being extremely difficult, so a 3.0 may actually get you farther than you think. It also depends on your other stats, and of course, your essays. </p>
<p>If you can make this semester really impressive grade wise, and write amazing essays, I say you do have a chance at equal prestige schools.</p>
<p>"I would say your best shots are Northwestern and Cornell"</p>
<p>Lets be real here, you're looking at an 8% admit rate at Cornell, unless you major in business or biology. You have a much better shot at Penn, and Northwestern ... but I don't think you'll get into either of them. At Cornell, they pretty much told me you have to have at least a 3.5 to be looked at for arts and sciences.</p>
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unless you major in business or biology
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<p>And even then, the AEM major has around a 15% acceptance rate and Biology is difficult as well. Cornell is just tough to get into for most majors.</p>
<p>I'm a new member and have tried to post twice in the last hour. Our daughter is going through a similar situation at Swarthmore, solid high school record, and 3.0 GPA in college. She seems to be working to capacity, few extra curriulars. Should she consider transferring? She is a sophomore. Will the GPA be that big a deal come graduate school apps? She seems to think it will mean a lot more coming from Swarthmore. Any response would be welcome. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I honestly think people like to think that grad schools will compensate for deflation at places like Johns Hopkins, Swarthmore, Cornell, Chicago and others. My experience is that this isn't the case.</p>
<p>"My experience is that this isn't the case."</p>
<p>my experience has been different from yours, at least based on watching friends graduate and go off to grad school from Cornell. I mean, it would be unfair for me to get in the adcoms head, but I've seen some people with really low GPA's get into some downright incredible law schools. Then again, I wouldn't say Cornell is grade deflated, just tough. There's not much evidence of grade deflation, but not many deny that it's a rigorous school.</p>
<p>Thank you for the perspectives. Can anyone specifically address how students with GPAs in the 3.0 to 3.3 range from Swarthmore are doing in terms of getting into grad schools?</p>