<p>Hi, everyone. I'm an international freshman at Cal. I'm looking to transfer out because of lack of interaction with faculty members, and i feel that paying out-of-state tuition (=amount of tuition at other private schools) for this impersonal feel is just not worth it. Please don't get me wrong, i do like Cal. Also, there are some financial reasons, so I do need FA... </p>
<p>That being said, i really really need your help, because I'm new to the US education system and have no one else around who transferred <em>out of</em> Cal. </p>
<p>I'm very interested in aid-generous LACs at this point, but open to further suggestions. </p>
<p>Here are my stats:
@Berkeley
- GPA 1st sem: isn't officially out, but at the rate i'm going I think it will be between 3.9 - 4.0.
- intended major: Biology and Arabic, double major
- ECs: Cal Pre Dental Society/ starting to volunteer for Arabic Youth next semester (very excited!!!)
- can get awesome rec from Arabic instructor, but I'll have to work real hard to get rec from chem prof next semester as the class is huuuuge...
@high school
- sat 2320 (single sitting)<br>
- sat ii japanese 770, world history 750, math 2c 800 (I think these will expire by March when transfer applications are due)
- GPA: 4.96/5.0. school does not offer ranking
- no APs/ some IBs
- ECs: equestrian team 1 yr, planned and executed equitour around home country, volunteer for kids from abusive family for 3 yrs, was on national TV and newspapers a couple of times for aspiring teenagers series, lacrosse team captain 2 years, basketball 2 yrs, soccer team founder, student council 2 yrs</p>
<p>I'm planning to apply to less than 5 (personal reasons), so I'm trying to be very careful in the trimming down process. i'm thinking of 1-2 real top-notch LACs and then 3-4 LACs that could give me generous FA. Also, I would prefer good bio program + arabic major (for arabic major, i don't care if it's fantastic or not as long as it's there)</p>
<p>My current list is...
a) amherst/ b) macalester/ c) brandeis/ d) claremont mckenna/ e) ?pomona...?
At this point I think the schools are reach, so I need your advice!</p>
<p>Also, a year ago I was waitlisted at Amherst for Early decision and rejected at RD. For the rest of the colleges I never applied in the first place. Would Amherst not consider me since I've been rejected before?</p>
<p>Another thing, is there some way to indicate my wish for double major in bio/ arabic when writing the transfer application? Also, as you can see from my high school activities, my interest for bio is a recent thing... i don't have related ECs at all.. will this hurt my chances? Or am I good as long as I have good GPA till next sem?</p>
<p>Thank you. I really really appreciate your time and effort.</p>