Unique Scenario

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hi, I’m a freshman at a top 15 university on the US News rankings, but the scene here really isn’t for me. There are also flaws in the offerings for one of my possible choices for a major. What do you think my chances are for transfer?</p>

<p>Demographics:</p>

<p>Top private prep school, NYC
white female </p>

<p>Major reasons for wanting a change:</p>

<li><p>History of Art Major - The department here for my possible major is well regarded, but they do not offer any Asian, African, or Pre-historic courses. The approach is very Eurocentric and lopsided in my view</p></li>
<li><p>Scholarly disposition - This school is (in)FAMOUS for being the mecca for pre-meds. Everyone is wrapped up in the pretention of their orgo and neuroscience classes. I wish I were in an environment with a more diverse array of interests… and maybe some people who are more interested in the here and now rather than the prospect of getting into med school … mind you, we’re freshmen. Med-school is 4 years away and this is their focus. It’s also kind of drab to be in humanities classes with the pre-meds who don’t want to be there but need to fill the requirement - I’d love to be in classes with people who are genuinely excited about what they’re learning… or at least respecting the subject. English is not “fluffy” if you take it seriously! </p></li>
<li><p>Social/ school spirit - So, since everyone is slaving in the library, it’s hard to find people who are willing to put down the books on a Saturday and go have fun. I’m not at all a party girl, but… Saturday? One day a week! Everyone seems very wrapped up in their own work and there isn’t a great sense of school spirit. I’m friendly with some guys on the soccer team and no one ever goes to their games and they’ve been having a really good season. It’s kind of sad. I was hoping to be in a college environment where everyone is supportive and willing to explore and have a good time</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Don’t take me as a pessimist who can’t find anything enjoyable. I won’t be devastated if I have to spend the next 4 years here. My professors are excellent and I have access to all of the extra curricular, study abroad, and internship opportunities that you could expect at a top university. I just don’t think it’s all that exciting and I’ve found that a lot of the kids here just aren’t that interesting or passionate – just driven (there is a subtle, yet important difference).</p>

<p>So here we go…</p>

<p>High School: </p>

<p>ACADEMICS
B+/A- average
SAT: 750 w, 690 m, 670 cr
SATII: 690 m2, 680 lit
AP scores: 5 eng writing, 4 eng lit, 4 art hist, 4 us hist, 3 bio</p>

<p>AWARDS AND HONORS
Honor Roll 6/8 semesters (cut-off A- average, top 10% of class)
National Merit Commended Scholar
AP Scholar With Distinction
Stipend Awarded by school’s science department for outstanding research </p>

<p>EXTRA CURRICULARS
Varsity Tennis and Swimming - 4 years
Class Council - 4 years
Founder and president of community service group to raise cancer awareness - 4 years
Published science paper, research at prestegious institution in NYC, presentation at a few major symposiums - 2 years
President of a youth group that aids the elderly - 4 years
A capella group member - 4 years</p>

<p>SUMMER WORK
Intern with social workers - 2 summers
Homestay/ study in France - 1 summer
Science research - 1 summer</p>

<p>College:</p>

<p>ACADEMICS</p>

<p>As it is quite early in the year, it is hard to tell. However, thus far I’m getting all A’s and A-'s. </p>

<p>The classes I’m taking are:</p>

<p>Intro to Fiction and Poetry Writing - 100 level
Intro to Art History - 100 level
Biological Anthropology - 200 level
French Composition - 300 level
Byzantine Art History - 300 level</p>

<p>EXTRA CURRICULAR</p>

<p>Club Sports
Student Government - elected by faculty to represent '11
Peace Corps - tutoring elementry school kids </p>

<p>… looking for some more things to do. I’ve only been here for a little over a month. </p>

<p>***Also, should be noted. I was diagnosed at the end of my senior year with a learning dissability. In high school I never had extended time in any of my classes or on any of the standardized tests (which you may have noted were a bit sub-par). Now I have all the accomodations I need and everything is going so much better. Do you think I should retake the SAT’s or ACT’s? Or should I make this “hardship” of pushing through high school with a learning dissability a part of my story? … I still did do well and landed myself at a top university despite everything. I don’t want to turn a dissability into an excuse, but it could make for an interesting essay topic? Any suggestions? </p>

<p>Please provide your opinions for chances at:</p>

<p>Harvard
Yale
Dartmouth
Brown
UPenn</p>

<p>(Already have GT status to Cornell)</p>

<p>I know that just made my post so long and complicated. So… what do you think? Do I have a shot? Any suggestions for how I should go about this?</p>

2

<p>Any opinions? Anyone? It would be much appreciated!</p>

3

<p>b-b-b-b-b-bump</p>

4

<p>can i ask what school you’re at right now? and i would say you have a shot at those top schools, but i dont exactly know what the transfer rates are and stuff like that.</p>

5

<p>I feel like it’s kind of tough for me to directly say without giving away my identity to some people on these boards who may recognize me… but you can use the process of elimination to get an idea!</p>

<p>US News

  1. Princeton
  2. Harvard
  3. Yale
  4. Stanford
  5. UPenn, Cal Tech
  6. MIT
  7. Duke
  8. Columbia, UChicago
  9. Dartmouth
  10. WashU, Cornell
  11. Brown, Northwestern, Johns Hopkins </p>

<p>Based on where I’m looking to apply, you can deduct that I’m currently situated at one of 9 schools listed above… so, suppose I go to …</p>

<p>Princeton, Stanford, Cal Tech, MIT, Duke, UChicago, WashU, Northwestern, or Johns Hopkins </p>

<p>… and then you can conjecture all you want about which of these seems to be heavily pre-med (though I realize that quite a few of these schools fit the bill) </p>

<p>: ) </p>

<p>anyway, does anyone have an idea of what transfer chances are like?<br>
I know that a lot of people think it’s fickle to be interested in “a name” (Ivy League) but I’ve already secured a position at a prestigious school, so that’s not really what I’m in it for. </p>

<p>What I really need is a good fit. I was wondering if anyone had any opinion on how someone with my sentiments would fare at Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard, Yale, Cornell, and UPenn – and I suppose, present the pros and cons of each.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance to anyone who responds – I’d love to hear everyone’s opinion!</p>

6

<p>b u m p . . .</p>

7

<p>Well, it is very difficult to transfer to those schools, but that doesn’t mean that you should not try. The best advice is to make sure that you effectively communicate your reasons. I managed to transfer into one of those schools, and it worked out for me. good luck!!</p>

8

<p>English isn’t fluffy, yours just makes people wince.</p>

9

<p>nonlocality, thank you for your comment.</p>

<p>logos, your post was useless and in poor taste. this board is for constructive criticism and advice. please direct your comments elsewhere unless you have anything useful to share. </p>

<p>thanks again to those of you who have provided me with useful replies. please feel free to share any more opinions you may have that relate to the topic!</p>

10

<p>I think she goes to hopkins. You’ve got your 3.5 so give it a shot.</p>

11

<p>do you think 3.5 is the magic number? i’m actually contemplating dropping one of my five classes to ensure that i maintain ONLY A’s and A-'s … next week is the deadline to decide. 5 courses is on the heavy side, but 4 would seem a little light for me.. it’s hard to decide </p>

<p>right now with the extra class i’m looking at a 3.6ish, and if i were to drop it i’d have more of a 3.7 or 3.8 GPA.</p>

12

<p>I think Northwestern should be on your list, and sounds like your best bet. I would also consider BC, Duke, Georgetown, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, Michigan – excellent academics, improved campus life and school spirit.</p>

<p>What I’m hoping is not happening is that you’re getting Ivy-blinders. The Ivies do not have particularly spirited athletics if you’re specifically looking for athletic pride. I’ve been to a few Ivy League games, and they really aren’t all that exciting or spectacular. It’s more of the “woo hoo! We’re terrible!” spirit. I haven’t been to a Michigan game, but I’ve seen their football stadium, and that was enough for me to feel warm and fuzzy inside.</p>

<p>Assuming you do go to Hopkins or WashU, I could understand the Ivy envy. It’s really not worth it, though, not if you’re unhappy. It sounds like you’d have a much better time at a school that’s a couple notches down on the US News list, and you’ll get a great education, too. Additionally, the schools I mentioned would be more than happy to take you as a transfer, it sounds like. It’s not worth somebody’s silly ranking system for your unhappiness.</p>

13

<p>unalove, while i see where you’re coming from, i already have guaranteed transfer status to cornell… so it’s not really a matter of needing to get in elsewhere. if i don’t get in anywhere else, i’m sure i’ll be heading off to ithaca next fall </p>

<p>i agree, ivy spirit doesn’t hold a candle to UMich… but i guess what i was getting at was that sense of pride that students have in their university, and a general willingness to explore stuff on campus beyond the library. </p>

<p>what do you guys think about my course load? keep the course and risk the lower GPA, or drop it to ensure a higher one?</p>

14

<p>is the course you plan to drop really matter? like major wise? prereq to your desired transfer colleges?</p>

<p>If no, then I say drop it to maintain your higher GPA
If yes, </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Are you getting at least a B in that class? if yes, keep it, i would at least prefer getting another course down though it will drop your GPA alittle. </p></li>
<li><p>If you are getting anything lower than a B then i say just drop the course, it’s too risky to lower your GPA by that much. Uh, hope this helps.</p></li>
</ol>

15

<p>Thanks, nancie.</p>

16

<p>Ok, talked to my advisor… it’s a tough call, but I think I’ll drop it just because I have a bigger credit load than the average freshman and it’s not worth the risk. I think 4 classes is pretty standard for most colleges anyhow - right? I have a few more days to make my final decision. Any last thoughts?</p>

17

<p>cough she goes to columbia! and top notch!</p>

18

<p>sorry, what?</p>

19

<p>well i was just narrowing down where you go to school and you said top 9 and NYC so i came to the conclusion of Columbia</p>

20

<p>i grew up in NYC, but that doesn’t mean i stayed for college : )</p>