<p>Ok, I've already decided on four schools I'm applying to: UChicago, Cornell CAS(reach I know), UNC, Davidson but I need help deciding on the fifth. </p>
<p>Right now I'm torn between Northwestern and Amherst, I really like the idea of a liberal arts education and I don't think is anywhere better to get that than at a LAC; however I know that admissions at Amherst is quite competitive perhaps more so than Northwestern and I don't want to waste an application if I at least don't have a shot there. Obviously all of this is subjective, I just need an outside perspective.</p>
<p>stats:</p>
<p>College:4th tier public GPA: 3.91 History Major</p>
<p>EC's: President of pre-law club, VP of another club, Alternative Spring Break Committee, internship summer '07 at local Merrill Lynch branch</p>
<p>Standardized test scores: SAT estimated around 1450/2200 but could be higher or lower, won't know for a few days Courseload: rigorous for my school, Calc 1,2, two semesters pre-med level bio, two 400 level courses this semester(sophomore) honors courses when available</p>
<p>Recommendations: two excellent Essays I think they are going to be great, I've got them planned out and I'm a pretty solid writer.</p>
<p>I would go for Northwestern, no question. NU is really transfer friendly, so issues such as your HS grades won't be as much of an issue. Amherst is even more competitive as a transfer than as a freshman applicant, so your HS grades might be a problem. Unless you're certain you want to apply to Amherst and you really want to go there, I'd apply to NU.</p>
<p>Davidson & Amherst seem a little out of place compared to the rest of your list. I can't tell from your list what you are actually looking for in a transfer school (besides maybe name recognition). Considering that NU and Amherst are pretty different, I would suggest making a list of what you want from your transfer school. Keep track of how many of these traits each school has. The school that most closely fulfills your wish list should be the school you choose for your 5th application. Just my two cents.</p>
<p>yeah, I realize that the list seems scattered. Mainly the reason I'm applying to UNC and Davidson is because they are relatively close to home and they are solid schools. Uchicago is my top choice because of their academics. I really think that the U of C is quite unique among it's peers and I think the education you get there is unlike anywhere else(I'm sure many would disagree though. The rigor and "quirkiness" of the school and students also played a role in my decision. I'll be visiting and having an interview in a few weeks so we'll see if that changes.</p>
<p>I visited Cornell and had a meeting with a department head in AEM when I was still wanting to major in business and absolutely fell in love with the campus and Ithaca so even though applying as a history major puts me at a huge disadvantage I think it's worth a shot. </p>
<p>The other schools, NU and Amherst, I'm not as sure about. The main reason I'm applying there is because the schools have excellent academics(my main reason for wanting to transfer) </p>
<p>I realize some of my reasoning may seem scattered but I assure you I'm not applying purely for "prestige" anywhere. I'm going to be happy anywhere I get in, although perhaps slightly more happy at UChicago ;)</p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice guys, applying to both is a good idea but I don't know if I want to bother my professors and Dean with another recommendation to fill out.</p>
<p>A few words of caution:
1] Chicago requires a copy of your HS transcript, so your GPA will probably be a big factor, especially if you are applying after only 1 year in college. Amherst and Northwestern require a copy of your HS transcript as well.
Did you apply to any of those colleges as a freshman applicant? If you did and were turned down that will also be factored into acceptance decision. Transfering "up" to top rated colleges is much harder than gaining acceptance as a freshman, so don't fall in love too fast with a college you many not have a good chance of being accepted at. The acceptance rates for transfers is much lower at Chicago, Amherst, & Northwestern, and most top colleges generally than it is for freshman.</p>
<p>I do not understand why you don't have SAT I scores already if you are currently a college student. What is your basis for assuming a 1450/1600 SAT I if you have not taken the exam before? If you are a North Carolina resident, then UNC would be a likely admit for you. Cornell is a very transfer- friendly school.</p>
<p>while I do appreciate your advice I assure you that I'm well aware of my disadvantages. Have you seen the multitude of posters on here over the past couple years with bad HS records gaining acceptance to top schools?</p>
<p>I'm mature enough to handle rejection but I don't subscribe to the rampant negativity surrounding many on these forums. I'll let you know how it works out in a couple months ;)</p>
<p>regarding the SAT score: my original was an 1100 in HS with absolutely no study and I skipped a ton of questions because I was bored and didn't care.</p>
<p>I took about a dozen official practice tests and generally scored an 800CR and Math in the high 600 low 700(writing I don't care about and neither do most schools) so I'm of course guessing but I don't think my estimate will be far off.</p>
<p>"Have you seen the multitude of posters on here over the past couple years with bad HS records gaining acceptance to top schools?" You may want to check the Chicago transfer thread from LY. There were only 2 CC posters who were accepted, and both had also applied and were accepted as freshman[ my son was one, and the other was a student at Penn]. In both cases their unweighted grades in HS and college were 3.8 or higher, with very hi SAT scores. Don't gets your hopes up that tier 1 colleges will ignore your HS record.</p>
<p>First of all I did not ask for any opinions on whether or not I could get into Chicago(but rather whether I had a better shot at NU or Amherst), I merely explicated my reasons for wanting to attend there at your request. I realize the odds are stacked WAY against me, people like you have made that all too clear; I have safeties, which if you read this thread you would know so it's not like I'm booking my tickets to Chicago next fall. Also, where in the heck do you get the idea that I think that tier 1 schools are going to disregard my HS record I NEVER even hinted that I thought that, in fact had you read the original post I said that it's probably going to be my downfall.</p>
<p>It's evident that you only commented on this thread to admonish me for even thinking that I had a chance at a tier one school like UChicago. You've made next to no worthwhile contribution to this thread so I would ask that you refrain from spreading your negativity further.</p>
<p>I'm applying anyway, and I maintain that my essays could make all the difference here. Odds are you're going to be the one saying "I told you so" in a few months(and I'm sure you'll be the first), but I'm doing it anyway. </p>
<p>For those of you that have offered me advice, thanks. I've made my decision and I will be applying to NU(even though it's probably a waste of money considering tier 1 schools never accept kids with bad HS records)</p>
<p>edit: there were WAY more than two accepted from College confidential if that's what your abbreviation for CC means; although you are correct that the majority of them had great HS records, I do remember one that had similar stats to me.</p>
<p>To give you some support, I think CC group is a rather skewed group with strong HS records. Therefore, the rejects (as well as the admits) shown on here are going to have strong HS records too; the ones with relatively weak HS records that got in aren't gonna show up on CC. I don't think the results on CC are representative. Just hop to the decision threads on UPenn, one'd think their average SAT must be 1500+ when in reality, the average was 1419 or something like that. </p>
<p>Also, I think sometime people like you have a stronger reason to transfer than those looking for "lateral" transfer. At least in your case, you are looking for schools with stronger academics, on top of just "fit".</p>
<p>I don't believe people that work in the admission are any difference from most of us. So if most of us can see a change in a kid, why can't they? If most people understand some kids don't get their act together until they get into college, so do the adcom. I think the main reason why GPA is important is they want to make sure you have the potential to finish satisfactory in their schools. If you can bump your SAT up, together with your high college GPA, I think you have a shot.</p>
<p>Thanks Sam, I totally agree. I think that the biggest reason they will ding me for my low HS gpa and current college is they may not think I will be able to compete against some of the students who have spent several semesters there already; this is a valid concern and I'm hoping I can address it to their satisfaction in my interview/essays.</p>
<p>Menloparkmom I'm sure has her heart in the right place, she's absolutely right that I shouldn't put all my hopes on Uchicago, but at the same time if I resign myself to the fact that I "probably" won't get in(and how does ANYONE know what the adcoms will think anyway) then I'm obviously either going to be intimidated in my essays/interviews or unenthusiastic. I'm not going to let the negativity of some(although they may mean well) affect me.</p>
<p>If I don't get in, then I'll be on my merry way to Davidson or UNC(assuming I get into one or both which I don't think is a long shot) determined that I won't let my disappointment affect anything in my future.</p>
<p>I dont see a pattern in terms of the types of schools you are looking for. I noticed that you picked rather urban schools, yet you are trying to go for a school that is super rural (amherst). I was there a couple of weeks ago (i went to connecticut to visit some schools and since amherst is only about an hour away from Hartford, i rented a car and went to go see it...Im from california, btw) and I dont know why anyone would want to go there :confused:. I applied there last year, and i was accepted, but im glad i didnt go. Its not for me. If you have any questions on what i think of the school or tips on how to get in, PM me.</p>
<p>Edit: I think you have a better shot at NU.</p>
<p>thanks donjuan. I didn't know Amherst was in such a rural area, then again people say the same about Ithaca and it is practically a metropolis compared to where I'm going to school now. Seriously, the biggest town to me is about 1 hour and is not even as big as Ithaca.</p>
<p>Anyways, I will be applying to NU. Thanks again for the advice everyone.</p>
<p>yeah, the town of amherst is about 1 block lol. Also, the only chain stores they have are subway, cvs, and starbucks. They dont even have a mcdonalds! thats how isolated it is...mcdonalds is about a 10-15 min drive to another city (hadley). Also, blockbuster = hadley too. When you are driving to Amherst, all you see is like a bunch of randomly scattered houses in one street and the rest is mountains/trees/forest and isolation. I dont know, im just used to the city. I cant imagine being there at night...it reminds me of an episode of the x files.</p>
<p>Edit: Its a nice place for a vacation to get away (maybe for a few days), but for school (30 weeks) hell naw!!</p>
<p>Amherst is a lovely, thriving community with excellent food, coffee shops, book stores, a lively student population, and a terrific theater. The region is also beautiful. Donjuan is on crack, and probably a bitter rejectee.</p>
<p>We are very proud of our lack of McDonalds...though the nearest one is in Hadley, a 3 minute drive or a perfectly reasonable walk if you aren't absurdly lazy.</p>
<p>if i was a reject, why would i visit? That just makes no sense to me. I dont have money to lavishly spend it on college trips. I went to visit spefically the ones i was accepted to.
I was accepted, then i visited.</p>
<p>Anyways, i was stating the facts. Mcdonalds does not exist in Amherst, but its in hadley. I also believe that Amherst is isolated (that is an opinion you cant argue with) NOT ONLY because it only has 3 major chain stores: cvs, subway, and starbucks, but because it hardly has any houses, everything is scattered, and all i saw were mountains and trees...</p>
<p>Also, the campus is no big deal. I went into the library and it seemed rather small. If you go to ucla or even berkeley, now THATS a library!! Some buildings were nice, and i liked the fact that they had cars for rent that were hybrid (for $15 dollars an hour) but overall, i would give the campus a 6/10. </p>
<p>ps. i didnt get to try antonios, so i don tknow, but i most likely wouldnt have tried it because im on a diet and its greasy.
p.s.s. sorry for my grammar but im in between classes right now :-</p>
<p>Edit: pm me if you want proof! i got my financial aid and admissions acceptance letter. It is also signed in purple, so you know its real ;) I will have to edit the address part out, but i'll leave the zip code in so you know that its me because im from cali lol</p>
<p>There are no mountains in Amherst. Amherst is in a valley. The beautiful background scenery does not detract from the lively town itself. Amherst is extremely (and rightfully, I think) proud of its lack of chain stores. We don't WANT Taco Bells and Wal Marts and McDonalds. We have amazing burritos, delis, cafes, coffee shops, ethnic restaurants, and pizza...and it is all local, and part of what makes Amherst so special. There are plenty of lovely homes, you obviously do not know the area at all, and must be confusing it with the beautiful mountain village of Williamstown. </p>
<p>Of COURSE Amherst doesn't have a library to rival Berkeley or UCLA; what can you possibly expect from a school of 1700??? They have every book you'll need, though, and if you want any book in the 5 college libraries, they'll get it to Amherst for you in no time at all. Please don't act like you know anything about Amherst, it's offensive.</p>
<p>I dont act like i know everything about amherst. The best thing about me talking about amherst is that i can give an outsiders perspective, which is what most people here will experience when they go there.</p>
<p>You are right; there are no mountains IN amherst, but there ARE mountains around, and you can see them as you are arriving hadley.</p>
<p>Also, i DO want taco bell, wal-mart, and other chain stores; they make the college experience alot more comfortable, as i can walk to the store and get my stuff at a cheaper price. I also feel more comfortable buying things from familiar places, where i know their refund policy, etc.</p>
<p>Like i said, amherst wasnt for ME, but it could be a nice vacation spot for someone else. I am an urban kid; what can i say?</p>