<p>I am currently a sophomore at Carleton College (No. 5 Liberal Arts college) and I really need to know what my chances are at transferring to the following schools: Northwestern, Univ of Chicago, Amherst, Stanford, Duke, any of the Ivy Leagues (particularly Brown, Cornell, ). I heard that it works against you to apply to more than 3 Ivy League schools so I'm trying to pick the three easiest to transfer into. I want to pursue a Neuroscience major, a major which my current college does not offer. All the aforementioned schools have decent Neuroscience departments so I need to know which schools I have the best shot at getting into (esp Ivy Leagues). I know its not the best mindset to have but I'm curious..</p>
<p>Some brief info...</p>
<p>College GPA: 3.73 (approx A- average)
extracurriculars: community service, activism groups
internship: AIDS research assistant, Whitman Walker Clinic</p>
<p>High School GPA: 4.2 (weighted with APs getting extra 0.5)
valedictorian
1460 SAT 1 (720 Verbal, 740 Math)
800 SAT II Bio
700 SAT II Writing
extracurriculars: tennis, communty service orgs, chinese school teacher, honor societies....</p>
<p>anyone in the same boat who can offer some advice?</p>
<p>I'm not in the same boat, but I should think that you have a very good chance.</p>
<p>You have a good chance at ALL of those schools. Who ever told you it is bad to apply to more than three Ivies is ABSOLUTELY wrong. Its an urban legend. Look into what you want now (ie, do you really want Chicago? Its a very atypical experience). I know Dartmouth has a small nueroscience program but a very good one. Penn is worth considering as well.</p>
<p>Thanks slipper1234. I'm glad to hear that the Ivy League limit was just a rumor. I absolutely concur about your statement on Chicago. No offense to those applying there, but after further research it's beginning to sound like the school I'm trying to transfer out of (Carleton College). I've narrowed the list to Brown, Cornell, Northwestern, UPenn, and one more. The toss up now is between Duke and Stanford. I guess I'm leaning more towards Duke...</p>
<p>I would apply to Duke, I think you will have a much better shot. Also I would consider Dartmouth. I went to Columbia my first year and really wanted Brown. I got in there, Duke, Harvard, and on a whim applied to Dartmouth. After visiting I realized that the Dartmouth community was so tight and the students seemed so happy that I chose it over Brown. Certain elements of the school make it much more condusive to transfers than other places. 1) You get to go on the awesome orientation where you meet every other transfer + many first years 2) you stay during the summer with your class so you meet everyone you havent already met 4) almost everyone does one term abroad so you will meet many people there 3) the student body is very tight. One thing though, Dartmouth people are very social and friendly so the more quiet loner type might not like it as much. Not saying its the best choice, but it might be worth looking into.</p>
<p>Hey slipper1234,</p>
<p>I'm having a LOT of trouble writing my "why-do-you-want-to-transfer" essay. I think I have a borderline draft right now and I really need someone with transfer experience to look at it. For what it sounds like in the transfer forum, this essay could make or break your chances at admission. I feel awkward asking this, but would you mind looking at it, ripping it apart, and helping a poor guy out?</p>