What are my chances to transfer from UCSD to Stanford?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hello there!

I’m Brazilian, and currently studying computer science in UCSD.

So, here is my current status. During HS I studies in 3 different school, 2 different countries, the last school was the worst school ever. Seriously, 2 years without learning anything. Amazingly, though the school was ridiculously easy, the fact that everyone around me had no goals in life, and the professor and the whole school feeling was boring and depressing, I almost failed some courses because I wouldn’t do the homeworks. My avg GPA from HS was 3.0

Then a turn around in my life brought me the chance to study in the US so I took the TOEFL and SAT, my scores are 104 and 1850 respectively. Nothing impressive.

However, since I started studying in UCSD everything changed. I was finally in a place where I could grow, learn. And as the challenges and difficulty went up so did my effort and consequently grades. My current GPA is 3.82 overall and 4.0 Major GPA with 4 A+.

I’m also the design director for BRASA Inc (Brazilian Student Association) on UCSD for the past 8 months and I was also the design coordinator for the National BRASA board, but dropped the position recently due to time constraints.

My current plan in order to transfer to Stanford is to bring my GPA even higher, maybe 3.9, but most importantly maintain my 4.0 Major GPA and get more A+. Get a position in a association related to computer science and maybe become president =D. Work on two side-projects with some friends. Build closer relationships with the faculty so I can learn from them and get good Rec letters as well. And write a very convincing essay.

As you can see, I didn’t mention retaking the SAT to boost my grades. I believe that I can actually use my low HS and SAT grades to my favor. Everything together, plus my essay which I will develop upon how I overcame my shyness, social insecurity and depression to demonstrate a characteristic of me that is the more challenges I have on my life, the more motivation I get to work hard and succeed. And that’s why I want to transfer to Stanford, because there I will be faced with even greater challenges and the whole entrepreneurial feeling of the campus will make me feel home. I’m constantly brainstorming ideas and am very excited about innovating.

So, I know this was a long text but I would really like to hear your feedback on my plan and if there are any other topics important to transferring that I’m not covering.

Thanks a lot!

2

Hey Heitor,

The first thing to be cognizant of is that transferring into Stanford can be very difficult - the transfer acceptance rate can typically fluctuate between 2% and 4%. The fact that you’ve maintained a near 4.0 GPA is a good sign for the transfer, as well as the fact that you’ve taken advantage of what UCSD has had to offer. However, the fact that you don’t have any sustained commitments to extracurriculars is somewhat worrying. If you care about BRASA, you can make it work along with your other work. There is a nice improving trajectory to your story that is appealing.

The one thing I would say to change attitude-wise is that you seem to write here quite a lot about what you want (how Stanford is shaping you), without touching upon those things that Stanford might want. The school approaches this from the perspective of “Will this transfer student add something to the campus/student body, something unique and special?” rather than “Can I help this student achieve his life goals?” so be cognizant of that angle. Talk about what YOU would bring to the campus that they couldn’t get from other students.

You have a shot at Stanford (at least higher than the baseline of 2% and 4%), so why not apply for the transfer? At the same time, it seems you have also quite enjoyed UCSD, which is a good school as well, so don’t be held to “Stanford or bust” mentally. Hope this helps! Would love to hear others chime in with their opinions.

Best,
Noitaraperp

3

You seem to be doing fine at UCSD. That’s a great school. Why don’t you take some classes in “entrepreneurial feeling” and spearhead some innovation right where you are? There is life outside of Stanford.

4

Is it just me or do you need to say why UCSD’s resources are not sufficient enough for your ambitions?
They want you to say what your ambitions are, why your current situation does not provide you the resources that you need for your goals, and how Stanford does indeed provide those said resources for you to continue doing what you are doing.

Don’t expect much as Stanford accepts very few people from transfers. If you don’t get in, you seem like a competitive candidate for grad school if you absolutely want to go there.

5

A recent Stanford Magazine article on transfers focused on recent transfers. I think there were 5.

In order to get in as a transfer, you have to hope that a student drops out of the school. That doesn’t happen too often.

I don’t know why you have the need to transfer if you will have a better chance as a grad school applicant.

6

In order to transfer, you need to prove why UCSD isn’t fulfilling your academic needs. You seem to be doing great at UCSD.

7

Thank you guys for the insights. Maybe it is better to wait for grad school to apply for Stanford as some of you said. I’ll consider that, thanks.

8

Transfer rates are highly tied to attrition, with attrition at the low single digits–it is very competitive environment, much harder than freshmen admission. By way of example, last year, over 1700 applicants made application as a transfer, less than 35 were accepted. That is less than 2%. Not to be too blunt, but your chances are very very low.