<p>Compared to most people here, my GPA is pretty average. I'm currently a sophomore at a LAC that's been consistently ranked so-so (40s to 50s to 60s) over the years. The only possibly redeeming feature about my GPA is that I've taken mostly upper-level courses (300 levels). So its not like I'm getting decent grades only in lower-level courses.</p>
<p>Question: Based on GPA alone, do I stand half a chance at</p>
<p>UChicago
UCLA
NYU
Vanderbilt
Emory
UVA
USC (California)
Barnard
Smith
Wellesley
Northwestern
Bryn Mawr</p>
<p>Or would the admissions people there see my GPA from a so-so school and immediately think, "Next." Because I get the sense that highly ranked schools are only looking for 3.7/3.8 and up.</p>
<p>What year are you at your college?
Frosh? Sopho?</p>
<p>and what's your major?
Depends what your major is, chance of getting into each school will change.
If it's less impacted major like History and English, you'll have a very good chance.
If it's extremely impacted ones like Business and Engineering... some of the schools may be slightly reach for you.</p>
<p>UChicago - VERY reach
UCLA - Slightly Reach (assuming you are on out-of-state)
NYU - Match (Unless you are applying to Stern)
Vanderbilt - Upper-Match
Emory - Reach
UVA - Slightly Reach
USC (California) - Match (Unless you are applying to Marshall)
Barnard - Slightly Reach
Smith - Reach
Wellesley - Reach
Northwestern - Reach
Bryn Mawr - dunno mcuh about this school</p>
<p>Although your GPA's not horrible, I really can't say that it's stellar either, and with an average GPA, none of the schools you are applying will promise you a good chance. All your candidate schools are in the top notch level in the nation, and especially for the REACH schools (that I put), most candidates will have GPA above 3.5 and have plenty number of applicants transferring from an elite class level schools (Ivy and other matching level schools). </p>
<p>But you should definitely apply. Reach doesnt mean you dont have any chance :)
who knows? you might get lucky~</p>
<p>
[quote]
What year are you at your college?
Frosh? Sopho?</p>
<p>and what's your major?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I'm currently a sophomore. I'm actually pursuing a double major of English and History here at my school; however if I transfer I will probably pick only one of those to graduate with because of credit issues.</p>
<p>I am seriously considering either a big Southern university-- Emory/Vandy/UVA-- or one out West-- USC/UCLA. The Northern schools seem too hard to get into, even though Wells/Barn. interest me.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. But more responses, please! :)</p>
<p>
[quote]
I would also like to suggest Agnes Scott & Mt. Holyoke if you like small LACs.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. I got into Mount Holyoke, actually, the first time I was applying for colleges. I might consider it again. I'm sure Agnes Scott is nice, but I was hoping for a college that is more presitigious (my current college is ranked pretty close to Agnes Scott's).</p>
<p>I think its great that you are taking 300 level courses, but keep in mind that most 300 level courses @ your LAC may not be offered at the schools you are applying. So when you are applying, make sure that the majority of your courses transfer.</p>
<p>Your GPA will qualify you for serious consideration at all of those schools. Your essays, reasons for transfer, recs, scores and hs record will all be a factor. </p>
<p>Don't worry now about which of your courses will transfer. mojojojo is correct that the exact courses may not be offered at your transfer school, but they will "articulate" your courses (ie, find matching courses or similar courses where they can) - most will probably transfer, a few might not.</p>
<p>If you get the sense that "highly ranked schools are only looking for 3.7/3.8 and up from this board," you need to realize that many folks here spout their beliefs about what it takes without a shred of evidence, some have one shred, some (like myself) have about 12 shreds. That's all we have. </p>
<p>You are competitive. Apply to the schools you truly prefer over where you are. If you absolutely don't want to stay where you are, also apply to a couple of safeties (over 50% transfer acceptance rate). You will have choices. So says me of the limited (but more than most) evidence.</p>
<p>I guess I was hoping that even if there were some people on CC who might not have that great of an idea of how admissions works, there WILL be people who know what they're talking about and they MIGHT respond to me. I just wanted some feedback in general, I think. </p>
<p>Thanks again.</p>
<p>Anybody else have some input? Actually, really helpful as well would be people who actually transferred into one of the schools I listed, if you would share your stats/experience. Thanks a bunch.</p>
<p>There are several threads with stats of acceptees for fall 2006. I can't find all of them, but maybe someone else can post the links (brand-how about you?).</p>
<p>You will hear kids on this forum say that you "have to" have a 4.0 from any school other than HYPSM/AWS to transfer to an elite. You will hear them say you have to re-take SATs if they are in the high 1300's. They don't know what they are talking about.</p>
<p>
[quote]
You will hear kids on this forum say that you "have to" have a 4.0 from any school other than HYPSM/AWS to transfer to an elite. You will hear them say you have to re-take SATs if they are in the high 1300's. They don't know what they are talking about.
[/quote]
</p>
<p><em>breathes sigh of relief</em> Thanks jimmom. I'm not aiming for the Ivies anyway, so I wasn't sure that I HAD to have THAT great stats to get into big unis ranked in the 20s/30s. Thanks again.</p>
<p>I was wondering-- how did you find the link to that thread? Because the transfer forum only goes back to early August of this year, and that thread hasn't been active since late June. Is there a special search function?</p>
<p>I'd love to see an early May thread (when all the rejections/acceptances start coming in) and see how people who listed their stats fared-- just to get more of an idea. </p>
<p>Yes, go to Advanced Search, mt4. In this case, I put in "Official 2006" as my search terms and "Search Thread Titles only." There is another one, with many more posts, but it is as much where people are applying as where they got in. </p>
<p>You can also search by time period.</p>
<p>I think brand_183, bball, nspeds and some others might be able to find the best threads. Good luck.</p>