Transferring...School ideas and chances?

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hi guys! I hope I don't sound like the fairly typical "help help" poster here, but I have really been talking to everybody I know about this and I think I need all the advice and help I can get.</p>

<p>I am currently a freshman physics and mathematics double major at a small Vermont college. Now, just to set the record straight, going here was my only alternative to a CC. My high school transcript is horrendous, due to the fact that I didn't even want to go to college until my senior year. Crap excuse, I know. I was stupid.</p>

<p>Regardless, I don't like the school I go to. The main reason is that there doesn't seem to be anybody here who is interested in physics and mathematics besides the professors. The classes aren't all that bad, but the lack of peers is very draining to me. I need to be in an environment where there are people I can talk to! Perhaps the reason this college has very little enthusiasm from the student population is because it isn't the most selective of colleges. Like I said, this is the only college I got into, and I wasn't applying to selective schools. Heck, I barely got into this one! My high school transcript is essentially all C's, with a few B's and maybe one A. I think I got 1800 on the new SAT. Nothing special, I know.</p>

<p>My GPA from the first semester here was good in my opinion, but I don't know the types of standards colleges have for transfers. I got a 3.59 last semester, taking the following courses:
English 101 (A-)
Calculus I (B)
General Physics I (A-)
General Chemistry I (A)</p>

<p>During this semester I am taking the following courses and having good success in all of them:
English 102
Calculus II
General Physics II
General Chemistry II
Mathematical Modelling </p>

<p>I don't plan on transferring out this semester. I will stick it out through one more semester (fall 2007)... Not to give my school a chance, but because I want to make VERY sure that I like whatever schools I decide on a lot.</p>

<p>The courses I will be taking next fall are:
English 201 (World Literature I)
Calculus III
Discrete Mathematics
Physics Instrumentation (an introduction to experimental physics)
And some other elective, probably a social science.</p>

<p>As for extra-curricular activities... I spend a lot of time working on mathematics with a few professors here, practicing formal proofs and for the Putnam exam. This summer I will be getting a grant to work on original mathematics research with a professor here, and we will present our findings at a professional conference. </p>

<p>I don't know if all this detail helps you guys or not, but I figure including it cannot hurt. Basically what I am looking to know is what schools in the northeast USA offer what I am looking for. I want a school with good physics and mathematics programs (obviously), as well as a student populace (or at least the physics/math students) with an enthusiam for the subject material. I can't really go any farther than PA from where I live (Vermont), for family reasons. I would also prefer not to go to a gargantuan school, but it isn't something that I will mind too much if it meets my needs. I can get used to anything. As cheesy as it sounds, I have a passion for physics, mathematics, and science in general, and that is pretty much the only thing that matters to me at the moment.</p>

<p>I have been told transferring is rather difficult, especially to better schools. Any advice you guys could give me on recommended schools or my chances of transfer would be greatly appreciated.</p>

2

<p>bump? 65 views and no responses! Did I do something wrong, or is this just not a frequently visited forum?</p>

3

<p>It's not a very busy forum. I am familiar with your situation. You can either try applying to transfer twice if you don't get out after this term, or wait until mid-year next year, but be warned that most colleges are less eager to accept transfers mid-year because they fear they won't assimilate (so I am told).</p>

4

<p>What state are you from (in-state school options?)--and where else did you apply as a freshman (but didn't get in?). That might help people come up w/ some ideas for you.</p>

5

<p>I'm not too good with schools that are mainly focused in what you're looking for, but generally top schools have pretty good programs.</p>

<p>I know that in Michigan, Michigan Tech, I'm gonna have to guess has a pretty good program for what you're looking for.</p>

<p>Also, probably University of Michigan as well... but quite honestly, I'm not too sure, and I'm just stabbing blindly.</p>

6

<p>I am from Vermont.</p>

<p>I applied to UVM and Champlain College as a freshman, and didn't get into either. Hopefully with continued good grades, I can get accepted to better schools than those. And yeah, I am going to stay here until the completion of next fall semester at the earliest. But even then, I need to start the search now. Wasting time would be a bad idea.</p>

7

<p>I think your reasons for transfer are very sound and your achievements at your current school really show that you have grown and know what you want. That will appeal to a number of schools.</p>

<p>Your hs record and SATs would mean you have limited chance of going to the uber-selectives and elites, but I don't think that's what you are aiming for anyway.</p>

<p>One note - you are planning to stay where you are through fall 07 and then transfer. Some schools take spring transfers, some don't. So check that out as you consider schools - you might end up staying where you are through spring 08. Not such a bad thing, as the more of a college track record you have, the less your hs and SAT scores will matter. btw, you can probably re-take those SATs if you're so inclined (I hate hate hate the focus on standardized tests, but if you get the feeling that higher SATs will help you in the schools you target, it might be worth it). This all depends on the level of school you would like to attend - give us your Math and CR scores so we can better judge, but 1800 overall is not so bad for many, many good schools.</p>

<p>Finally, how will finances come into play? Will you qualify for need-based aid? Is there a limit to the tuition level you and your family can swing?</p>

<p>Now for suggestions (without any consideration of finances): I don't have specific knowledge of the strength of physics/math, but here are some thoughts.</p>

<p>I would try UVM again - great school and I'll bet they'll look at you differently with your new track record. Ditto Champlain if it still appeals.</p>

<p>I would suggest you try UNH and UMaine-Orono. Both have well-respected engineering programs regionally (the major I happen to know a bit about) which usually means good physics and math as well. I would target the Honors programs at these, if you can, as that will enhance the chances that you find kids with the passion for the subject matter. Although, once you get past intro level courses in these fields, you won't find too many "dabblers" in physics and math, so that will probably help you find peers. Look for schools that have active robotics clubs and other clubs that will draw peers with a passions for your fields.</p>

<p>Why not consider some of the "tech" schools: WPI comes to mind, Clarkson, RPI, URochester (not all tech schools, but all strong in tech fields).</p>

<p>Give me some feedback on what appeals and I'll make more suggestions.</p>

<p>Remember that in your search, you will want reach/match/safety. I haven't checked the transfer acceptance rates at the schools I've suggested yet, but will once I hear what appeals to you. For the safety, you want a nice high transfer acceptance rate 50% or more.</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

8

<p>Additional thoughts: prof recs will be key, so cultivate your science and math profs. Do you have one you can talk to for advice? Check the faculty roster to see where they got their degrees - may give you some ideas for possible transfer and a prof might be very happy to talk to you about whether you might find the math/physics peers at his alma mater. If you can discuss your transfer plan with a prof or two, you may get great ideas on possible places.</p>

9

<p>You are correct about me not caring about the uber-elites. Prestige means little to me. I may bite on prestige for graduate school, but that is a long way away.</p>

<p>If I have to stay at my school through spring 08, then so be it. I'll tough it out. My math was a 600, and my CR was a 680. If I took it again, I could probably max out the math section or come very close to it. I doubt I could improve my CR very much, if at all. I would really rather not have to take it over if I didn't have to, but I will if it improves my chances by any noticable level. Some schools seem to want you to take it over, and others don't, which confused me. I checked some of the websites of the schools you recommended, and RPI said not to re-take the SAT's after you are in college. Other colleges said the opposite.</p>

<p>I do not think finances will be an issue. I will qualify for need-based aid. </p>

<p>UVM still looks like a good place, although it's physics course listing seems to be lacking compared to some of the other schools listed, like RPI. It is hard to make any judgements based on just a website except in extreme examples, but from what I can see RPI, URochester, and Clarkson look fantastic. So much more is offered there!. I like how they have Ph.D programs and what seems to be a lot of depth in the departments. UMaine didn't strike me as anything special, but I don't know how much of it was them just having a crappy website. UNH has a curriculum very similiar to the school I am already attending, so that's out. </p>

<p>RPI, Clarkson, and University of Rochester seem like fairly selective schools though. Would I really have much of a chance getting in? Will my summer research be helping at all?</p>

<p>Thank you so much for the help so far!</p>

<p>EDIT: I'm sorry, it wasn't RPI that said not to re-take the SAT's, and I can't remember which school it was. I also forgot to mention that WPI looked great as well! These are all schools that I definetly now intend to visit.</p>

10

<p>Okay, I'll do a little more checking re possibilities and transfer acceptance rates.</p>

<p>Re SATs - may or may not make sense to re-take them, depending on which schools you aim for. But if one school wants new and another doesn't, there is a way to work around that - just send your current SATs to any school which won't accept re-takes. THEN retake for sending to the other schools.</p>

11

<p>Okay, here are some statistics which help give an indication of how selective a school is - not the gospel, but an idea to see where you might fit:
School % transfers accepted 25%-75%freshman SAT scores (M+CR)
U Rochester 24% 1250-1520
WPI 54% 1180-1380
Syracuse 53% 1110-1320
RPI 60% 1220-1420
Clarkson 66% 1100-1290</p>

<p>Most of these I've listed look reasonable as match/maybe safety. URochester might be reach. I think the best idea is for you to use collegeboard's site or other sources to find schools in locations you'll conisder, whose finaid policies could work for you and with meaty enough curricula in math/physics. Think about size, male/female ratio, whether you want a tech-y school or not (sounds like you do like them). Then, if you don't have access to stats on transfer acceptance/SATs to help you judge selectivity, I can use USN&WR premium online (I subscribe) to help with that.</p>

<p>Any other help I can give, happy to do it.</p>

12

<p>
[quote]
As for extra-curricular activities... I spend a lot of time working on mathematics with a few professors here, practicing formal proofs and for the Putnam exam. This summer I will be getting a grant to work on original mathematics research with a professor here, and we will present our findings at a professional conference.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>This is a big deal in the world of higher maths. Do you know that? I think that this is one thing which will work in your favor. </p>

<p>I do not know of Vermont at all, but working towards participating in the Putman and doing extra work with your Professor is a big flipping deal. And, I reckon that ad coms would like that very much. </p>

<p>I do not know what you should do with taking any tests over. With your high maths skills being soo wonderful and all, I have no idea if an ad com would think it wrong of you to take the SAT (S) over. </p>

<p>What I wonder is about your Foreign Language? You are not taking any as near as I can see.</p>

13

<p>Thank you so much jmmom! I really appreciate your time. I will take your advice and try to come up with some sort of list of schools.</p>

<p>Mildred:
Thanks for the knowledge on the EC math. I hope it helps as much as you say. As for foreign language...I took two years of latin in high school, that's about it. I certainly don't remember any of it, though. I really have no interest in foreign language. Is this really an important admissions factor? I hope not.</p>

14

<p>re foreign language - a lot of colleges require you to take one during college. Often, they dispense with that requirement for Engineering students, but maybe not for physics/math majors. So, check the ones you're interested in - see if they have a for. language requirement and how many semesters. That will help you figure out whether to take it at your current school or not.</p>

15

<p>Just out of curosity, are you at Castleton State?</p>

16

<p>So I did some thinking, and came up with I think a list of schools that probably won't be added much to. </p>

<p>Schools that look the most interesting to me:
RPI
Tufts
BU</p>

<p>Out of those three, I probably only have a chance at RPI.</p>

<p>Schools I will definetly check out:
WPI
Clarkson</p>

<p>I checked their websites, and the only one that mentioned foreign language work after high school was BU, and it wasn't required... It was "recommended," which probably means the same thing anyway. How do I go about finding out what kind of transcript etc I will need to be competitive?</p>

17

<p>Oh, forgot to mention University of Rochester in the schools I will definitely check out. That makes six total.</p>

18

<p>Okay, here are the quick and dirty stats for those six schools from USN&WR. Even better idea is to google Common Data Set and each college name. Then you can see more details on transfer admissions. For example, the BU common data set shows that the AVERAGE college GPA of admitted transfers was 3.54 - so it probably cannot really be a "minimum" GPA as USN&WR says.</p>

<p>I have listed them in the order I think they fall from reach to safe for you. I think that with strong recommendations and good essays you would have a crack at any of them. But you can't expect to get accepted at all of them, because some are reach-y. If you decide to re-take the SATs, it might help; but that is a personal decision.</p>

<p>School % transfers accepted 25%-75%freshman SAT scores (M+CR) min. college GPA req'd (if posted)</p>

<p>Tufts 13% 1330-1480 N/A
U Rochester 24% 1250-1520 0.0
BU 32% 1180-1370 3.5
WPI 54% 1180-1380 3.0
RPI 60% 1220-1420 3.0
Clarkson 66% 1100-1290 2.5</p>

<p>I think mildred's comments about your EC's are spot on. They are impressive and likely mean you will have great recs. That could elevate your chances quite a bit, but it is always wise to be conservative and include safe schools in your list of choices.</p>

<p>Continued good luck.</p>