<p>Hi all,
I'm a sophomore at Emory University and not having the best time. I would like to at least apply for transfer to another school, although I am trying to make the best of my time here. I am a history major, and in fact I have 1 more class to finish all the major requirements. Furthermore, I have enough credits that I could graduate after my junior year. And yet, I'd rather do a bunch more history classes (if they didnt accept most of my transfer credits) and an extra year if it meant I was at a a different school that I enjoyed. My main problems with Emory are 1. the student body - very little competition or caring in almost every class I have taken, including high level history courses. The actual intellectual abilities of the students don't seem that high. I would like to be surrounded by the best and the brightest students. 2. location - I would rather be in a big city (and not 10 minutes outside of town) or back home in my favorite place on Earth (Bay Area, CA). The schools that I am interested in are:
Harvard, Columbia, Stanford</p>
<p>My high school grades:
3.5 GPA unweighted, around 4.0 weighted
I suffered from pretty severe clinical depression from my sophomore year through my senior year (completely untreated until maybe summer before senior year). In my junior year I did not do that well and half way into first semester of my senior year I missed a month of class and thought I would just drop out. With the help of family and counseling, I managed to get it back together and go to the local community college/do college courses by mail to finish out my high school requirements. This is the explanation for my GPA.<br>
SAT I: 1500 800V 700M
SAT II Math IC: 710 I have a book on IIC and think with studying (which i didnt do) I can get a much higher score on a more appropriate test.
SAT II Writing: 710 took this as a sophomore without study - retaking with study.<br>
SAT II US History: 760
US History AP: 5 (I was so depressed the weeks of this test that I skipped the test - had to take an alternate session a few months later)
Biology AP: 4</p>
<p>College Grades:
GPA: 3.88
Very advanced coursework completed in history (as I said, almost finished the major) -4.0 in the major.
Summer Study in Greece and Turkey in Ancient History
Taking both latin(1st year) and hebrew (2nd year) for my own interest
Extracurriculars:
I am a reader of poetry submissions for a nationally distributed, student-run literary magazine.
Published a poem in student literary magazine (different than above)
Member of Billiards Club (I play 3 or 4 days a week)
Other:
I am a certified personal trainer from a highly regarded certification organization. Also working on Continuing education units for that.
I play saxophone and sing and am working on starting a jazz combo to play locally.<br>
I am extremely intellectually curious, do everything for the love of learning, and before I came to college, read a ton of non fiction and poetry, about all kinds of things (when i applied to college I listed a page+, single spaced, of books that I had read in the past year)</p>
<p>One other interesting thing is, I didnt apply to Harvard or Stanford before, didnt feel i had a chance. I applied to Columbia with an extra rec from a Congressman. Maybe they will remember me and see I delivered on my promise? What do you all think of my reason for transferring or my chances at those schools. Or any other suggestions? Thanks for spending the time to read, I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>I would also like to add that I am interested in graduate study in Ancient History and unfortunately, the history department hardly offers any courses in that area (one a year?)</p>
<p>I'm in a similar situation to you. I attend Vanderbilt (basically Emory's twin, or so I've heard), and am extremely unhappy with the student body. Most students here are completely apathetic to all things intellectual, and would rather spend their time partying at the frats. I am applying for transfer to Yale and Harvard for the fall of 2006. I was accepted at both schools out of high school (but came to Vandy for financial reasons). Other than my previous acceptance, however, my stats are very close to yours. From the information I've gathered, I'd say we both have decent shots. You particularly will have a great shot at Stanford. That school accepts a large number of transfer applicants. In your application, I would stress your dissatisfaction with Emory, and your love of the Bay Area. Also, DO mention your course needs. Good luck. Hopefully we will both find ourselves at the schools of our dreams come next September.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips.
Interesting, I just checked your post and your stats are quite a bit better than mine, hard to say we are comparable in that area! Does stanford really take that many transfer applications? I am worried about Stanford not wanting me because my home town is so close to the school - they want diversity from their transfer students I would think.</p>
<p>I don't have any statistics on Stanford's transfer program. I have, however, heard through College Confidential that the school takes more transfer applicants than some of the Ivies. Apparently the director of admissions at Stanford believes transfer students to be a valuable addition to the student body. </p>
<p>Stanford does like diversity. The way I see it, though, many of the students applying for transfer will either be 1) dissatisfied Ivy Leaguers or Ricers, Dukers, Emoryers (?), etc. OR 2) UC kids that have always wanted to go to Stanford, but couldn't get in the first time around. The UC kids will be Californians, so shouldn't pose competition in that regard for you. And the Ivy kids aren't really a diverse group anyway. Most of them are probably from the Northeast, a geographical area that is already well-represented at Stanford. In other words, I think you will be fine. Just be honest. You tried the whole southern thing, but it didn't work out.</p>
<p>That is partially incorrect. Rice is excellent at fostering a campus spirit and camaraderie that rivals Yale; I believe they have one of the highest retention rates in the Top 25. Rice prides itself in being unique and, in many ways, quirky. I think it is comparable to Swarthmore with respect to student ambition and attitude.</p>
<p>I have yet to encounter a student transferring from Rice. It would be fallacious for me to conclude, because of my experience, that there are none; however, it is telling.</p>
<p>Edit: Though the philosophy department at Harvard is better, Rice is my first choice; that is, in the highly unlikely situation that I am admitted into both, I would choose Rice.</p>
<p>In the highly unlikely situation that I am admitted to Brown, UPenn, and Cornell, I don't know which I'd choose. Though from this board, comments of admitted students and current students, my personal opinion (which is skewed), and the sheer numbers, I think I'm destined for Cornell. In light of all of those, Cornell is my first choice.</p>
<p>is it really that bad...it's pretty anti-intlelectual there i would assume. One of my best friends goes there, he didn't get into any of the ivies he applied to, h, y, p, columbia, he didnt do penn or cornell, 1570 first time on the sats, so u guys can meet, he is an intellectual.</p>
<p>dude....i mean idk, but the severe depression thing, definetely don't mention that in an essay, that is the last thing a school wants to know about.</p>
<p>
[quote]
dude....i mean idk, but the severe depression thing, definetely don't mention that in an essay, that is the last thing a school wants to know about.
[/quote]
I disagree
Im not depressed anymore
basically, it shows perseverance and gives an explanation as to why my grades in high school were low. it was also in my application to every college i applied to in the first place. I was a risk before because I was applying so soon after I had hit my low..but now ive proven that i can do college course work at a high lvl of proficiency. Anyone else think im crazy to include this info?</p>
<p>I cant say anything about harvard, columbia as I never applied there but I think you have a pretty good shot at stanford. I also never applied to stanford from hs as I didnt think I had a chance, my stats are about the same as yours (in the tests). The process is always random but I would think you would be towards the top of the applicant pool.</p>
<p>Stanford does not accept a large number of transfers. Perhaps it is larger than others but it was only ~50-60 at 4.5% acceptence rate this past year. </p>
<p>Dont worry about coming from the bay area originally as being negative diversity. I have met alot of transfers who went east for school and their desire to return west was a large factor in applying. I think leaving for a southern school and wanting to return will be in your favor. In transfer diversity I feel they count your home instituation for location rather than birthplace.</p>
<p>um....actually they are very accurate. For example, UPenn publishes different sat scores depending on where u look in their site, in publications, and the collegeboard exactly has it as it is in US News.</p>