Transferring to Amherst, NYU, and others. Am I Being Realistic?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hello everyone. I’m currently in my second semester of my Freshman year. I am unsatisfied with the university I have chosen due to what I feel is low academic rigor and a non-competitive environment. With that said, I am applying to schools that are difficult to get into and I am wondering if I actually have a chance at these schools, and if anyone would recommend any schools they think are worth considering. I am currently going to apply to Cornell, Columbia, NYU, and Amherst College.

Major: Computer Science

College First Semester GPA: 4.0 (Enrollment Cum. GPA)
College Overall GPA: 3.62 (I took several classes at a local college during high school before enrolling in my current university. My first semester outside of high school I earned a 4.0)

High School GPA: 3.75 (Unweighted)
High School Class Rank: 71 / 414

ACT: 25 Composite, 24 English, 26 Mathematics, 22 Reading, Science 28
I am retaking the ACT very soon and will hopefully do significantly better due to not being an idiot junior in high school anymore haha

Extra Curricular’s

Student Government - Residence Hall Senator (13)
Residence Hall Association - President (13)
Math Club (13)
Intramural Hockey (13)
Intervarsity Christian Fellowship (13)

Robotics Team - Team Captain (12,13) (Qualified for World-level tournament Senior Year of HS)
Euphonium Performance (9,10,11,12,13)
Jazz Band (10,11,12)
Pep Band (9,10,11,12,13)
National Honor Society - President (12)

Created a video game tournament at my high school to raise money for a charity fighting world-hunger. Raised over $500 in through my efforts (12)

Work experience:
McDonald’s - Crew Trainer (10,11)
Albertsons (Grocery Chain) - Produce Clerk/Trainer (11,12)
IT Workstudy (13)

Other:

Member of a TRiO program in my state.
First Generation College Student
I live in Montana (If that matters/means anything)

Financial Situation: Recipient of somewhat large Pell Grant

Race: White
Gender: Male

Thank you very much for your time!

2

Bump

3

you have a good chance for NYU but you might want to get a higher ACT score if you can. Cornell and Columbia are pretty high matches for you but I think it’s possible,

4

Thank you very much for your thoughts, I really appreciate it! :slight_smile:

5

Cornell and Columbia are, by definition, reaches for everyone (regardless of stats).
Amherst and Columbia admit very few transfers.
Cornell is your best shot but it’s still quite low and will depend on the college of applied to (most transfers are admitted to CALS) .
NYU admits transfers but without housing and financial aid, so it’s probably not a viable solution for you.
You’ll need to look at more universities if you really want to transfer .

6

I appreciate your thoughts! I’m definitely going to get some more research done on everything, these are just the initial schools that are my 1st choice. Didn’t know that NYU admits transfers without financial aid, that sucks. Thank for the help!