<p>So, I'm entering Northeastern University this coming fall. It's quite a good school, fairly high ranking, but I'm starting to aim for a financial career (namely, Investment Banking for a few years before grad school) and I am wondering what is needed to transfer into Ivy league schools, as they are target schools for companies and their networking would get me off to the right foot.</p>
<p>Now, my high school grades weren't amazing and didn't warrant Ivy league acceptances, I did take full IB (all honors) and had roughly 3.7ish GPA, which is not too stellar. I'm going into college this fall aiming for (of course) a 4.0 GPA, but I'd be happy with a 3.9 or so. Basically, I'm wondering what I can do to make myself look appealing for Harvard, UPenn, Princeton (those are my top three Ivies, as they are strong in IBanking)? I do realize that not everything will make me an automatic acceptance, but I do have somewhat of a hook being a very diverse international student (albeit not a great hook, but it's something). </p>
<p>Is there anything else I should aim for to make my transfer app stand out (if I do go through with this, in 2 years or so)?</p>
<p>Just to clarify: I'm in no way saying that Northeastern isn't a good school nor am I saying that I'm destined to be at an Ivy League school, but it's worth a shot to think about now so that I can aim for the highest possible and then land near the top if I don't make it in!</p>
<p>Just to ground you in reality here: Harvard accepts very, very few transfers and Princeton simply doesn’t allow transfers to apply. Wharton is extremely competitive as well (at least, I’m assuming you’ll be looking at Wharton). At all of the top schools you’re going to be among very strong students, so demonstrating leadership in extracurriculars and having excellent essays are two key parts of your application. You’ll need to explain why ________ is the perfect school for you and why you would choose them over Northeastern, emphasizing the unique ways you could contribute to the school.</p>
<p>The best advice I can offer is to see how you do this first semester and then reassess your situation.</p>
<p>^ yeah, unless you were a competitive applicant during freshman admissions (which you said you weren’t), harvard isn’t happening and neither is wharton. princeton doesn’t take transfers, so definitely not lol. you could definitely apply to other brand-name schools with 2 years of solid work.</p>
<p>Thank you both! I completely understand that I’m most likely not going to be accepted at those schools, but it’s something I can aim for at least! I didn’t know Princeton didn’t accept transfer students (obviously :P), thanks for letting me know. I realize that Wharton and Harvard are extremely competitive and my chances are very slim, but I do plan on doing ECs anyways, so even if I don’t get in the ECs will still help me further down the road with a career and etc.</p>
<p>Anyways, thanks again, and I will definitely reassess after I have completed actual coursework to see the direction I’m heading. I may end up loving it and not thinking about transferring at all!</p>