<p>So, I've finally accepted the fact that I'm not going to get into any of the schools I'd like to. It's just not going to happen. My stats are definitely above average, but not to the extent to get me into Brown or Columbia. I'm going to be attending UCF and most likely the Honors college if I choose to do so. The prospect of transferring didn't occur to me until today when I learned that three people I know are transferring from UCF to Cornell, Columbia and Harvard respectively. So I'm curious if anyone has any info, advice, experiences about transferring. I think I'd plan on doing it after the first semester of my freshman year since I have enough AP credits that I'll be a junior after that year and I want more than one chance since after my sophomore year it will be too late if I understand correctly. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>You know one of the 12 Harvard transfers (out of 1500 applications)? </p>
<p>Just letting you know, the odds are against you.</p>
<p>It’s never “too late” to transfer. You just have residency requirements, so you’ll have to do 2 years wherever you go.</p>
<p>If you can’t get in now, one semester of college won’t make a huge difference. You need at least a year. </p>
<p>Columbia and Brown probably accept less than 5% of transfers. Cornell’s private colleges are probably around 5%. Harvard is less than 1%. </p>
<p>It’s difficult to transfer into these top schools. So before just going to UCF, try to go to a school you’ll be happy at.</p>
<p>I agree. It’s simply impossible that Brown and Columbia are the only two schools where you could have an excellent undergraduate experience and receive a superior education. Do some more digging while you have time. There are so many great schools out there with students just as intelligent and interesting as those at the Ivies. </p>
<p>Transferring is a good option for some students. That said, coming in to a school as a transfer is a very different experience from coming in as a freshman. Socially it can be more difficult and you may not get the full experience the college has to offer. Don’t rob yourself of that! </p>
<p>Relying on transferring is risky. It should not be Plan A in this case. If you truly do not feel that you could have a good experience at UCF, find another school. Just my opinion.</p>
<p>I would also add that those schools may or may not accept transfers for the spring semester. Many highly selective schools don’t. Just something to look into.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. I know there are other schools out there besides Columbia and Brown, but my stats are in this awkward place between above-average and CC-average (I had a lot of medical problems my 8th and 9th grade years which really screwed with my GPA and ECs). They’re enough to get me into places like UCF with ease but it makes entrance into the kind of school I want to go to very hard. I plan on applying to UNC-CH, Emory, and Davidson (UCF as a safety) both RD and transfer since I know I’ll most likely get wait-listed at Davidson and rejected at UNC as an OOS in RD. I guess I wasn’t clear but I know I’m never going to get into Brown and Columbia, my stats are not of that caliber (regardless of my 4.5 GPA Sophomore year and my 4.65 GPA Junior year and my 10 APs).</p>
<p>Transferring isn’t my Plan A (it’s my Plan C if we’re getting specific lol). I know I’m going to wind up going to UCF for my freshman year; I’m 100% positive I won’t get accepted to any of the schools I listed. I just know I won’t be happy there, it’s just going to be something “I have to do” so I want to use transferring as means out of that. </p>
<p>Thanks for the advice guys!</p>
<p>
Yeah, she’s just about the smartest person I’ve ever met lol.</p>
<p>I know I’m going to wind up going to UCF for my freshman year; I just know I won’t be happy there</p>
<p>Don’t you have strong stats? If so, you have other options. Why not explore those so that you won’t feel stuck at a school that you’re pretty sure that you won’t like (in case transferring doesn’t work out).</p>
<p>Do you have an NCP that won’t pay? If so, then transferring to these top schools may not work out financially for you anyway. </p>
<p>Also, some schools do not give great aid to transfer students anyway…and some are “need aware” for transfers. </p>
<p>What are your stats? Are you a NMSF?</p>
<p>I think you need to find a financial safety that you DO like in case transferring doesn’t work.</p>
<p>I have a 4.22 W, 3.83 UW. Like i said before, my gpa would be about a 4.55 but i had a lot of medical problems in 8th and 9th grade which really tanked my GPA.</p>
<p>Scored a 2070 on SAT and in mid/low 30s so far on ACT practice tests.</p>
<p>Ive taken almost all Honors and AP classes - Already took Chem, World, Human Geo, APUSH and Psych and got 4s and 5s on all but Chem but still go an A in the class. Im currently taking Physics, Lang, Stat, Gov, and Enviro (so 10 APs in all).</p>
<p>Im a National Hispanic Scholar and above the 10% of my graduating class.</p>
<p>I work a lot with NHS, volunteer 20 hours a week at an elementary school extended day, and work 20 hours a week.</p>
<p>My mom makes under 30k and my dad (who i finally got in contact with) wont be filing this year because hes working abroad and his pay schedule is weird so his income matters little (and he was unemployed for the first half of the year). For this reason ive been trying to stick to schools participating in the Project on Student Debt so most if not all of my loans turn to grants but almost all are top 30 schools.</p>
<p>Oh and I’m an AP Scholar with Honor.</p>