<p>Hello everyone, I'm going to be an incoming freshman going to a community college this September. I used to live in NYC and my plan was to attend some of the local city colleges in NYC, but I ended up moving to Rochester NY. My parents made this decision right on the spot, and my mother wouldn't let me dorm. I had an 80 average in High School, took your basic high school courses and had a 540 on Math, and 630 on Verbal. I didn't bother applying to RIT or The University of Rochester, I thought it would be a waste of time. Because I wouldn't get in with my gpa and SAT score. So I applied at the local community college, I want to do someday transfer out and pursue dentistry. So I'm taking your basic classes, for example English 101, Calc, Philosophy and Biology. I was wondering if any of you guys had some advice for me, I want to transfer out to the university of rochester, cornell, and Syracuse universities. I know Cornell is a very competitive place and it's close to impossible for me to get in. But, I want to give it a shot. My SAT and high school GPA aren't that impressing. But I'm studying for the SAT and will take it again, is this a smart move? And will it help to get into the places I want. And do universities consider SAT's taken by college students while attending college?. </p>
<p>I'm very confused by this dilemma of my mine. Can someone please offer some criticism and advice on what to do, Thank you.</p>
<p>Sometimes a community college might be a better option rather than a 4-year university. It is much cheaper. Your classes will have about 25 students rather than 300 in an auditorium for your general education classes. And finally, you are most likely to have professors at the cc level rather than TAs.</p>
<p>Many times at a 4-year college is a matter of sink or swim. Few people will really care about your academics. </p>
<p>Does your community college have any transfer agreements with any of universities you want to attend?</p>
<p>I would say contact the universities' specific departments and ask for their requirements and if they have any advice. Make sure to ask them about how your credits are going to transfer. </p>
<p>I guess the advice would the same as if you were applying as a freshman to any university. Try to get the best grades you can, and try to get involved. You may also want to do an intership. It will be hard for you to find a paid intership at the freshman and sophmore level, but it will show that you were involved. </p>
<p>In Florida, once you receive an A.A. from an accredited institution, you do not have to present SAT scores when transfering to a public university. I don't know if the same works for a private university since a private university can decide its own admission policies. It is not going to hurt if you show a great SAT score.</p>
<p>For now, your only goal should be getting a 4.0 GPA. Take a few classes at the community college and see what you want interests you. From there, you look at universities that specialize in it.</p>
<p>Transfers are usually easy. Students leave a university and the university wants to fill it's vacant spot (for the money).</p>
<p>The only problem I can see is that high-tier universities may not take all the credits. Your best bet is to call them and tell them your story once you know where you want to go.</p>
<p>Two schools D applied to for transfer (Catholic & American in DC) didn't look at her SAT's once she had completed over 24 credits...look at the transfer web page for the schools you are interested in. I believe, some competative schools (like Georgetown, GW) still look at SATs but I bet they are not as important as your college average. So it wouldn't hurt to have a set of better SAT's...you might even try the ACT. Some people do better. </p>
<p>Many schools (and it varies) aren't generous with transfer FA. It's easier to get accepted than to get good merit or need based financial aid unless your average is high, like over like 3.7.</p>
<p>So I back up harv5889....concentrate all your effort on an excellent avg. if you get a looser course or prof as a freshman (because you don't have access to the inside scoop like ratemyprofessor.com) be willing to drop/add. Nobody questioned the W on transcript. By second term...find out which courses & professors are the best bet and keep you're eye on your goal.</p>
<p>Look here on CC discussions to see what the profiles are for the students who get into the schools your interested in. (but I think transferring is a bit easier if you can pay $ and don't need FA).</p>