Alright, to those who are reading and possibly going to reply to my post, let me say thank you. I did alright in high school. By alright, I mean I was able to get into SUNY Purchase–which is not that selective in anything besides their fine art programs–and due to my SAT scores, which are slightly higher than alright, I received a STEM scholarship. After my first semester My GPA was a 2.07. I lost my scholarship, and my parents demanded that I transferred back home to attend Dutchess Community College. During my first semester there I did not show up to any of my classes, and received all F’s. I dealt with some personal issues during the break and retook all of the courses, but only managed to get a 3.0. I then changed my major and focused primarily on English and creative writing. As of now the majority of the English department knows me by name and frequently asks when and where I plan on transferring to, insisting that they will write me a letter of recommendation. Also, in my last two semesters I have earned nothing less than a 3.7, became a tutor in the writing center, been published in the schools literary magazine, and became an active member in both student government and the debate club–I will most likely hold a position next semester.
Because of the extremities which my academic profile is comprised of, I am having a difficult time putting together a solid list of universities and colleges to apply to. I know that my list of schools should consist of some safeties, targets, and reaches, but I am having a really difficult time deciphering which caliber of schools I should be looking into for transfer.
As of now my list ranges from schools I feel like I am very likely to get into and schools which I laugh at myself for considering. The truth is, I really have no clue which I should considering, mainly because I have yet to come across any college admission page that discusses the “turn around student.” I was hoping that I could receive some input on the schools I am currently considering, as well as advice on other universities and colleges that a student like me should consider applying to.
Here is my list
University of Arizona (My home town, I moved to New York between my sophomore and junior year of high school)
University of Washington
College of William and Mary (I laugh at myself here)
Northwestern (Still laughing)
University of Hawaii at Manoa (Using mainly as a practice application, but hey its Hawaii)
Boston University
University of North Carolina-Wilmington
University of Southern California (expensive I know, and probably unlikely. Right?)
Hey, I guess you’re in a similar situation as me.
I’m a student getting ready to transfer at a CC as well. I have a 4.0, I teach at the tutoring center just like you, and I’m part of a highly recognized honor society. Even with my solid GPA and in-state privilege, I am still a borderline competitor for UVA and William and Mary due to the fact that I am required to send in a SAT score that doesn’t quite reach the 2000 level.
So my first advice would be to try re-taking the SAT’s. If you improved, then it’s going to be a plus factor. Another advice would be to aim for in-state schools than out of state ones because you will have priority as a in-state applicant compared to an out of state applicant. Univ of California’s website actually states that they admit in-state CC students first, then students from in-state universities, then people from out of state. This is probably a trend at all of the schools you chose above.
Are you applying for Fall 2015 transfer? I hope all goes well.
@suthamerica wow, congrats on your efforts and hard work at the CC level! Also thanks for advice, I found your post to e very helpful. Okay so I scored a 1910 on my SAT which probably like you is just under the 2000 mark, but when I asked another College Confidential user about retaking the SAT they said that post hs SAT scores aren’t really taken in to consideration… So who knows the answer there! Also, as far as oos schools California is, and will always be the exception, because everyone wants to live in California and they’re known for an amazing school system, they are required by the state to accept a certain amount of in-staters and therefor California residents have the advantage. However, at a private school like USC being an in state resident is not as important, same as most schools across the US. In fact, UW has a higher acceptance rate for out of state students because it diversifies their student body–as well as creating more money in the colleges pocket haha. Anyways, best of luck to you in your transfer experience! Your application sounds like it’s solid and consistent, so unfortunately I’d have to say your application is more competitive than mine! Thanks for the response! 
SAT scores don’t matter if you have 8 semesters of college under your belt.
What’s your budget?
As a transfer student, you wouldn’t get financial aid beside basic federal aid (loans, mostly). OOS public universities will be very expensive - and the fact you used to live in Arizona won’t “count”, what matters is where your parents pay taxes. You’d only be allowed to borrow $7,500 (and, if you didn’t take on loans freshman and sophomore years, those as well).
Do include SUNYs on your list - Binghamton and Geneseo should be no brainers for you.
How did you pick your other colleges? They seem so different and unrelated.
Knox College should be on your list - they’re excellent for creative writing.
Not sure whether you’d be admitted to Kenyon or Hamilton but for English they’re hard to beat. Include Dickinson, Denison, Goucher, Ursinus.
If you like Virginia, what about VCU and UMW?