<p>Im currently in my first year as a full-time college student. While I was accepted at a variety of top ranked (sub-35 on the US News and World Report Rankings) universities as a first-year applicant, my family's financial situation became much more of a factor than I had anticipated and I was left all but precluded from attending a four-year institution. I eventually decided to make the fiscally responsible decision and enroll in community colllege for a year; an action that, while conscientious in nature, did little to alieviate my feeling of chagrin stemming from the stigma of being labeled a "community college" student.</p>
<pre><code> As you might be able to tell, I'm desperate to get out of here and would appriciate any insight you can offer.
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<p>Here's some of my info:</p>
<p>Colligiate GPA: 4.0 (44 credits in a 3-credit-per-class system)
High School GPA: 3.75 (D in P.E. freshman year)
SAT 1: 1840
CR: 690
Math: 580
Writing: 570
ACT: 27 composite</p>
<p>Extracurricular activities: </p>
<p>I'm a professional musician - I perform and run a small music school business
I volunteer as a tutor
I will be interning at a Fortune 500 financial consulting firm this summer.
I run an after school program for elementary school-aged kids where I teach them the fundamentals of football.
I was also a four-year starter at quarterback on varsity football at my HS if that matters at all</p>
<p>Other pertinent info:</p>
<p>I'm a Phi Theta Kappa member
I have 2 excellent recommendations from two teachers, one of which who told me he would "singlehandedly have me admitted."
I have a well rounded course load
I've been deemed a "presidential scholar" at my current school (this is the highest level of academic recognition they offer)
My application is very strong in terms of writing - I would consider my essays to be the best part of my application
My high school was also recognized as one of the top 50 in the nation according to the US News and World Report (again, I'm not entirely sure how much high school info has to do with a transfer app)</p>
<pre><code> I realize my test scores are not exactly exemplary but, considering the fact that standardized tests are administered in an effort to afford prospective universities some insight into the kind of college student they are considering, I'm hoping my existing collegiate record will overshadow my average scores. Anyways, unless you're a journalist that consistently waits until 25 minutes are left before his deadline before even considering the subject of his piece, I cant think of any profession that would require you to craft a well-thought-out and engaging essay in under a half hour. Personally I think the stringently timed nature of standardised testing is a bit rediculous but thats just my opinion.
This is an extensive list of possible options; I haven't applied nor do I intend to apply to all of them. I'm just curious as to my chances. Here's the list:
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<p>University of Pennsylvania - Wharton
University of Virginia
Cornell University
Emory University
Columbia University
University of Texas - Austin
William and Mary
Harvard (pretty much just to say at least I took a shot)
NYU
UNC Chapel Hill
UMD College Park
Brown
Vanderbilt
Johns Hopkins
Yale
Rice
Carnegie Mellon
Wake Forest
Tufts
University of Miami Coral Gables</p>
<p>So what do you think? Feel free to answer for any number of my options - don't feel pressured to answer all of them if you're not familliar with any individual school. Any insight is greatly appreciated.</p>