<p>Hi, I will be entering as a freshmen to UMass Amherst this Fall (2012).
I am wondering if it is more suggestible to transfer to an ivy league school (particularly cornell and columbia) after two years than one year.
I am sure of what my GPA will turn out to be (3.9~4.0), but my high school GPA/record and my SAT scores are the worst you will ever see. They are just horrible.</p>
<p>So I am wondering if I should wait it out for two years and apply as a rising junior?
I really want to transfer quickly so I am settled in a year earlier.
What I'm asking though is if it is a waste of money and time to apply to Ivy league schools as transfers as a rising sophomore? </p>
<p>I know how hard it is to get into ivy league schools even as freshman and I know all the stats for transfers. I just want to know if I will have a better chance if I wait out two years or if it doesn't matter and I could just apply as a rising sophomore.</p>
<p>You will have 1 sem of college completed when you apply as a sop transfer vs. 3 semesters as a jr transfer. Yes, a longer excellent college record will help balance a poor HS performance.</p>
<p>It’s debatably harder to be admitted to an Ivy via transfer than regular admissions. It is even harder to adjust after you get there. Some Ivies have a residential college system where your sense of community is built up from the freshman year. For this reason, some Ivies, such as Princeton, do not take transfers. Other Ivies do, but keep in mind that you will still have to show that you can handle the rigor of Ivy League coursework.</p>
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<p>For most of the Ivies, it’s not debatable, it is harder to transfer.</p>
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<p>And conversely, the RC system can also help transfers to integrate more easily since most students are still living on campus, unlike most publics and many privates. RCs were one reason D1 chose the transfer school she attended.</p>
<p>I know it is not why you posted, but I am always curious; why the haste to transfer? Sounds like you are in a great situation for someone with a “high school GPA/record… and SAT scores” that " are the worst you will ever see. "</p>
<p>I always assume some of the best schools are made up students like that, but some still with amazing potential. Why transfer?</p>
<p>I guess I just want to be in a place where I will be able to constantly challenge myself as well as be in the program I really want to be. UMass Amherst doesn’t have a BFA program that I want while the other schools do. </p>
<p>Thanks for all of the advice, guys!
I’m probably going to apply to BU, NYU, Syracuse, a number of performing arts schools and two ivies this December. Wish me luck :)</p>
<p>I am sure of what my GPA will turn out to be (3.9~4.0)</p>
<p>Since you haven’t taken any college classes yet, you have no way to be sure of this. </p>
<p>What will those applications cost you? </p>
<p>We’re strongly suggesting that you hold off until you have 3 semesters of college grades to show. Right now there’s no reason to take a chance on you or give you any financial aid.</p>