What are my chances of transferring Pleasee??

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>DO I STAND A CHANCE??
…..In high school, I applied to only my current univ due to my financial background and had a full ride luckily. I self-studied for the SAT using some of the books in my HS library.I called the schools and they said my SAT’s are O.k with my country of origin and background.(I wanted to retake it)…I am currently applying for fall 2012 transfer as a sophomore transfer.</p>

<p>Challenges faced Growing up.(WILL IT MATTER???)
As a son of a peasant farmer and charcoal seller in rural Ghana,I have had finances as a major threat to my pursuit of education. In high school, I had to combine my academic work with selling items like gum on the streets after school to cater for my personal expenses in a bid to supplement my full tuition scholarship from Ghana Cocoa Board.it was really, a difficult experience that I sometimes decided to quit school. However, my determination and yearning as a first generation college student to change things around me kept me on. Through my work on the streets, I was able to raise money to register for the SAT to get this far. Coming from a disadvantaged background where majority of teenagers fall victims to teenage pregnancy ,drug abuse and eventual school drop-outs, I know the value of opportunities and have and will continue to make the most of them. My Yesterday and Today have been rough and tough but with God and the zeal to succeed, I know a better tomorrow waits.</p>

<p>SAT:2030(M 680 WR 720 CR 630)
HS GPA: Intl so high school doesn't rank..but had all A's and only 2B+s on my transcript..
WAEC Certificate Exams: 6A'S,2Bs(8 subjects in all)
College GPA: 4.0(Freshman)
Courses:Gen Chemistry, Experiments in Gen Chemistry, Communications, Freshman Seminar, Intensive French (French 200) and Calculus 1.
Applying from: a tier-1 LAC</p>

<p>Applying to:
Yale,Cornell,Amherst,Tufts,,Dartmouth,Wash U in St Louis,Columbia,Brown,Bates C,Grinnell C,Gettysburg C,Macalester C,Reed C.Upenn,Trinity College</p>

<p>Honors/Recognitions and Awards
• Presidential Scholar, University (Students who maintained a High school GPA of 3.75 minimum and with an SAT score of 1890 and above. Awarded full tuition, fees, room and board and $1000 book scholarship )
• Silver Prize ,International Royal Commonwealth Essay Competition, UK(2010)
• Honorary Participation ,UNESCO- Goi Peace Essay Competition, Japan(2010)
• Top 3% of Graduating Class, High School(2007-2011)
• Nomination into National Science and Math Quiz Team, High School(2008-2011)
• Best Student in Class, 3 Times, High School.
• Overall Outstanding Student in Basic Education Certificate Examination, Junior High</p>

<p>Clubs and Activities
College
• University Student Ambassador (proposed a model to increase international student enrollment which is in use by admissions).
• University Debate Team
• University Publications Board(Only freshman on an 8 member board that writes and manages magazines for the University)
• Honda All Star Campus Challenge Team,
• Student Member, Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation( a registered charity headquartered in Canada with global reach which aims to provide medical support for brain and spinal injuries to the people of Ghana and West Africa)</p>

<p>High School
• Main Library Prefect
• Member, Writers and Debaters Team(2007-2011)
• National President, Junior High School Alumni Ghana(2007-2011)
• President and Founder, Read wide Club,
• Vice President, Scholarship and Talent Club
• Financial Secretary, Science Club and Pentecost Students’ and Associates
• Member, Writers and Debaters Team
• Revival Singers Choir</p>

<p>Community Service
College
• Monthly Donation of $10 to Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation towards the building of a neuroscience center in Ghana.
• Collegiate Health Service Corp, (Research on the neurological and cognitive effects of drugs and alcohol on African American adults).
• Metro General Hospital: Volunteer with City Healthy Start Program on Infant Mortality Reduction-
• Tutor, After School Tutoring Program,
• Tutor, Sunday School Kids Ministry at Church of Pentecost (2005-date)</p>

<p>High School
• Health Volunteer, Community Clinic,
• Tutoring Sunday School Kids at Church of Pentecost
• Data Collector on Infant Mortality, Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (K.M.A)Ghana
• Helping the injured athletes during sporting activities, Red Cross Society
• Church Renovations’ ,Church of Pentecost ,Kumasi, Ghana </p>

<p>Sorry for the long post tho. :)</p>

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<p>bump…</p>

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<p>Wow you certainly have an amazing story. However, I am sorry to say that international students are usually not able to apply for financial aid. If you need aid, a lot of the schools you’re applying to will not offer it. Also, there’s a general rule that if you weren’t able to get into a prospective college as a freshmen applicant, your chances as a sophomore aren’t greater. One semester worth of college grades won’t nullify your high school record. I would try for a junior transfer like I am doing. Also, being a URM probably matters much less for transfers because a college will already have filled quotas for their freshmen class, so do not rely on that. I would stay where you are, especially because of your financial situation. It’s not fair, but it’s the way it is.</p>

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<p>Oh yeah…you are right .Actually Bates,Mac,Grinnell and Gettysburg said if i get in,though I’m international,they’ll meet my financial need.I actually called the admission and financial aid offices at Bates and Macalester and they said they consider intl transfers and freshman for the same finaid and thats why their transfer deadlines for intls is Jan 1.So hopefully,i have some hope there.But,sure…I’ll consider your advice.Thanks.</p>

<p>And also the HR of the hospital where i did my research has promised to write personalized recommendations to each each school for me…Keeping fingers crossed :)</p>

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<p>You sound like an impressive guy who will go far no matter where you end up. I think you have a good list of schools - a bit heavy on the ‘reaches’ but Grinnell, Macalester, Trinity, Bates, etc…sound promising. </p>

<p>Do an internet search for scholarships - there aren’t many for transfer students but your background is sufficiently unusual enough that you might find something.</p>

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<p>Thank you M’s Mom!!Happy Holidays!!</p>

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<p>Well, you certainly have an amazing story. I think you have a relatively high chance of admission at most of the schools to which you’re applying. Remember, though, that some of the Ivies (like Yale) accept an even lower percentage of transfer students than they do of freshmen, so I would keep that in mind when applying. There’s also the issue of aid. As an international student, there isn’t a whole lot of aid available for you; according to Wikipedia (which admittedly isn’t the most reliable source), only 6 schools in the US (Amherst, Dartmouth, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, and Yale) are need-blind for all applicants. You also should also remember that many schools have different FA policies for transfer students than they do for first-time students. That being said, the odds are against you that you’ll find a better deal (financially, at least) at the schools on your list.</p>

<p>By the way, why exactly do you want to transfer? I don’t think I noticed an explanation anywhere in your post.</p>

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<p>@emaytay213…You are right.For some of the LAC’s,they told me that they consider intl transfers and intl freshmen on the same scale.Subsequently,the deadlines for both are the same.According to what they said,if i get in,they’ll fund me fully.And i want to transfer because I’m at a school with no-so challenging academics.Research opportunities are also scarce plus the schools I’m applying to have neuroscience major or neuroscience-related majors.My school doesn’t have.</p>