<p>I am a first year History student at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland though I am and always have been a residential American Citizen from Connecticut. I choose the University of Edinburgh because of the experience I could garner from studying abroad and to escape the less attractive sides of the American Educational System. </p>
<p>However I am not happy with my education here. It’s too narrow and is not going to give me the chance to do what I want to do. I am also not really hitting it off with a lot of the people here, the size as well as the urban location being a problem for me. </p>
<p>I’m doing well in my classes. On a 20 point scale I received an average of 17 in all my courses. I am told this translates roughly to a 3.8 in the American system. I know I am in the top 10 of my class but I don’t know where. </p>
<p>In high school I attained a a- average, though sophomore year was dominated by Bs, senior year had the As to pull it up. My SAT was a 2130. </p>
<p>The University of Edinburgh is a good school and I’d like to apply to equivalents, Georgetown, Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard, Williams, UPenn and Bowdion. I know those schools pretty well and feel comfortable about them. I applied to Georgetown last year and got put on a waitlist but did not get in. </p>
<p>I think I have valid reasons for transferring and that I can make my case. My recommendations though are coming from people who really don’t know me well as it is my first semester. I’m getting one from high school though. </p>
<p>I do plenty of activities here and back at high school.</p>
<p>Actually, looking at a seventeen on the twenty point scale, it translates to an A grade, A+ so you've actually got a 3.9/4.0 average, as an 18 or 19 would be a 4.3. <em>waves</em> St Andrews transfer here. :) </p>
<p>I'd say you've got a pretty good chance, your reasons are sound, and the colleges are good matches. I'd say some of the ivies might be a little of a reach, but not so far that you don't have a good chance. ECs? I know I've focused on getting stirling ECs and essays, and recs you need to find people with knowledge of the US system, because English/Scottish recs are a lot more 'modest' in style.</p>
<p>I hated the dynamic, very 'white rich private school student' and the beaucracy of the university. I went to a prep school in NJ, and loved the community there, and miss it a lot. I'm in the middle of transfer apps - Middlebury, Yale and UPenn myself.</p>
<p>wow, I stumbled into the right thread I guess! I'm at St Andrews too (a second-year) and am most definitely transferring to do my final 2 years back in the States, pretty much for the same reasons as 21Questions. I love it here socially, lifestyle-wise, etc which is why this is so hard, but I want to do Comparitive Literature and creative writing, making St A's a bit of an academic dead-end.</p>
<p>I also applied to transfer last year, to UChicago only, and got in though my grades were mediocre (16.4, 15.5, 13.6 1st semester) and my ECs few. I didn't go for several reasons including a disappointing Financial Aid package, and don't regret spending another year here. </p>
<p>Anyway, I think you guys both need to tier your applications, put a couple 'matches' and a safety to your list, if you really are determined to transfer. My grades have gone way up since (17-18 range) and I've done lots of new things, so I'm not anticipating too much problem getting in somewhere. And hey, if my success last year is any indication, you guys won't have any problems either. Good luck! PS: you probably knew this, but photocopy ALL DOCUMENTS in case someone loses them in the post... :)</p>
<p>also, AliceCC - if you ever want to correspond in any way or even meet up, feel free to message me. I know it's technically sketchy, meeting through the internet (even if it is CC...) but last year when I went through this I found I couldn't find much support from the uni. I discussed things a lot with a friend of mine going through the same (she did end up leaving in the end) and it helped me a lot.</p>
<p>I actually had medical problems last semester, so my grades dropped from 17s at the beginning, to an average 15.5, but that translates to an A according to the St Andrews transfer credits thing, and my IR professor says he's writing me a good rec. I'm actually not all that bothered - a few people have said Middlebury seems like a 'match' school for me, I have excellent reasons for wanting to transfer, and I think my essays were good. My ECs - I'm a freshman. I founded, and run a society, and I directed a play last semester, in addition to riding, singing and holding down a job, so I think I'll be okay. As for Middlebury taking one in 250, well, heck. Maybe I'll be the one in 250!</p>
<p>haha that's the spirit! just letting ya know - don't be disappointed in yourself if you're not accepted because the odds are just insane and impractical.</p>