Transferring Out, Thoughts and chances please

<p>I am a current Freshmen looking to transfer out. It is not out of unhappiness that I am seeking a transfer, but rather a realization about what I want to do more.
I finished Fall Term with a 3.75, which is not ideal for transferring, but I think the break up of my grades in various classes works to my advantage.
The classes I took and the grades I received were:
Math0200, Linear Algebra A(4.0)
Phys0221, Electronics for Scientists A(4.0)
Freshmen Seminar, a literature class A-(3.67)
French 101 B+(3.33)</p>

<p>The physics class I took was very small, 8 people, and 5 were senior physics majors. I was the only freshmen.
I haven't been too active club wise. I am on the Ultimate frisbee team and that takes up a good amount of time. In high school I was in a lot of clubs.</p>

<p>I took 7 aps and they are
Physics B 5
APUSH 4
Biology 5
Physics C Mechanics 5
Physics C E&M 5
Calculus BC 5
Macro-economics 5</p>

<p>Additionally my SATs were 2230, (780m/740r/710w) my SAT IIs were
800 math2
800 physics
790 bio (M)
and 770 chem</p>

<p>I am looking to transfer into an Engineering School, but I am applying to very few and understand how slim the chances are. </p>

<p>Other notes,
In J-term I will be taking French 102 and in the spring I will be taking 5 classes:
Physics 212, applied math for physical science
Math 223, multivariable calculus
Math 302, abstract algebra I
French 103
and a greek tragedy class</p>

<p>The two most likely schools I apply to are Stanford and MIT, and I would be applying with the intention of doing aeronautical and astronautical engineering.
If I have overlooked something please let me know and I will be sure to add it.</p>

<p>I think you should post on the MIT and Stanford boards. It’s not about leaving Midd, but where you will be going next.</p>

<p>Ok, Thank you for your recommendation</p>

<p>wisc,
I think OBD is correct in her advice. Might I also suggest that since your interest is so specific, that you consider adding the following to your list; UMich, and Georgia… both considered to be great for Aero engineering and both probably easier to transfer to. One more thing to research is the possibility of doing a combined program with Cal Tech. I know Midd participates in 3-2 programs with RPI, Dartmouth and Columbia, but I wonder if you speak with the 3-2 coordinator (Scharstein) if they could work out something with CalTech which also has a combined program and has a great rep in Aero! Good Luck!</p>

<p>Karate - that is excellent advice. </p>

<p>Wisc - I think you did very well for a first semester freshman, especially at Midd. I don’t think those stats will hinder your ability to transfer at all, especially because it isn’t so much about the school and its academics, but about specific degree program not currently offered in the format you’d like best. And since you’re already paying for the resources of such a school, you’d be wise to get as much out of them as you can. You’ll obviously want to get some professor recommendations as well, and since I know the profs at Midd to be incredibly open to students, I am sure you might find one or two to advise you as well (like your physics prof vs Freshman seminar).</p>

<p>Good luck to you! And enjoy J-term, especially since it may be your only one!</p>

<p>KarateDad, Thank you for your advice. I have talked with Scharstein about the 3-2 program, but one of my hesitancies with that is that if I were to stay at Middlebury, I would be attempting to graduate in three years. In the time I would be getting the BS in engineering, I could also be getting a Master’s.
Caltech, somewhat surprisingly because the house the JPL, only has aerospace as a minor. I will ask Scharstein about this possibility, I have thought about it and your bringing it up might goad me into action.
I have thought about other schools like Michigan and Georgia, however each has a number of drawbacks for me and I don’t think I would be as happy as I am at Middlebury.
Because my desire to transfer isn’t coming out of a dissatisfaction, I am fearful that if I do transfer I might not be as happy. This is why I am keeping the number of schools I am applying to low.
Other schools may be added, I am not really sure. I am also interested in a major, engineering physics, which more schools offer.
Thank you for both of your inputs</p>

<p>You will have to take intro physics as a sophomore at MIT. I don’t think transferring to MIT will work for what you want.</p>

<p>Do you have any other recommendations?</p>

<p>Maybe you should take second semester physics next semester instead of Abstract Algebra as a fifth course.</p>

<p>Most top universities offer a special intro physics course for people that have Physics C AP. These courses typically use Kleppner & Kolenkow for Mechanics and Purcell for E&M and often do special relativity. Unfortunately, Midd doesn’t offer a course like that. Places like Caltech, MIT and Harvey Mudd are full of people that have AP Physics C but don’t let them out of intro physics.</p>

<p>Your best bet might be to stay at Midd for a second year and pick up as much physics as possible like take the standard sophomore physics course plus intermediate E&M and Mechanics. Then try to transfer into an engineering school as a junior. You will also need at least one chemistry course for an engineering school. Cornell should also be among your possible picks. Cornell is also a good place for engineering physics. <a href=“http://www.mae.cornell.edu/[/url]”>http://www.mae.cornell.edu/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I think that two years at middlebury and then two years at another school would create a very divided college experience and if I were not happy at my current school then that would be a fine idea.
I will not be pursuing that. What you are suggesting may be viable for someone who is solely focused on an engineering undergraduate degree that would be fine, but I will still be working towards the most likely case which is my staying at middlebury. I look to be a math major and Abstract algebra is a class I want to take. With my intention of graduating in three years, if I pursue a masters in an engineering field and have to take an extra semester or two of remedial ground work that is something I am ready to do.
Transferring to the level of schools I am looking at is not easy, and I don’t want to act in such a manner that I inhibit my current status.</p>

<p>“I look to be a math major and Abstract algebra is a class I want to take. With my intention of graduating in three years,…”</p>

<p>Take: MATH 0225 - Topics in Linear Alg & Diff Eq instead of abstract algebra this year and abstract algebra next. It’s makes much more sense to take this given your other two spring math/physics courses.</p>

<p>Take: PHYS 0111 - Thermo, Fluids, Waves & Optics during the J term and do french later.</p>

<p>If you want to transfer to MIT or Stanford, you will have to be a math major who takes extra physics and engineering courses. It doesn’t look at all likely you’ll be admitted to MIT given your current lineup of courses.</p>

<p>Thank you for your advice, but I for me it would be too drastic to make those changes. Transferring at all is like chasing a ghost when you are talking about Stanford and MIT. I think if I were to get into either with the changes you have made, I would get in with my current schedule.</p>

<p>Stanford accepts 2.5% of transfer applicants. MIT accepts 10%, which is slightly higher than MIT first-year admission. MIT is possible; Stanford isn’t. If you want to stay with French for the J-term, you still want to think about your abstract algebra choice, which is a poor one just from a math major perspective. Even Midd says:</p>

<p>“Note: Students are strongly encouraged to include a proof-based course such as MATH 0241, or MATH 0247 early in their programs. This is especially helpful prior to taking MATH 0302 or MATH 0323.”</p>

<p>You are ignoring what is strongly encouraged. Further, your linear algebra course last semester was an incomplete one. It’s best to finish all of linear algebra where the proofs are easy before moving into abstract algebra. Further, you are attempting this as a fifth course. Do MATH 225 instead. Indeed, MIT doesn’t let students take abstract algebra until they had real analysis.</p>

<p>I am not ignoring the departments recommendation. I am aware that I am putting myself on a harder path than what is suggested, but I am also doing additional preparation this J-term. I have already purchased the texts for Phys0212, Math0223, and Math0302 and intend to work through significant portions of all of them. I have accepted that this spring will be a trial by fire, but it will also serve to make me entirely sure whether or not I am able to continue in the field of math.
I am going to talk with my physics professor as well as our 3-2 engineering liaison about the things you have brought up and ask for their opinions on them.</p>