What are my chances?

<p>Hey all, I'm new to these forums and I was just looking to get some information on transfer odds. I just recently finished my 2nd semester at a reputable public university and although I am very happy at my current school, I am entertaining the option of transferring. While I understand that transfer admission is very competitive among the nation's top schools, I was wondering how I would stack up given my statistics.</p>

<p>Hard Factors</p>

<p>Current school: ~ 50 USNWR ranking among National Universities
College GPA: 4.0 (32 credits of all A's or A+'s) + assorted AP credit
SAT: 730 Math 710 Verbal
High School GPA: 3.6/4.0 (unweighted)</p>

<p>Soft Factors</p>

<p>Collegiate:
Student Court Justice
Mock Trial (team captain)
Honorary Fraternity
Student Writing Center (writing consultant)
Published Literary Essay
Congressional Internship this Summer</p>

<p>High School:
National Merit Scholar
Eagle Scout
Cross Country (team captain)
AP Scholar With Distinction
Various other clubs and community service</p>

<p>With this said, I was wondering what my chances would be at a range of different schools. Any insight into this process would be extremely valuable, as I have no clue where I would be a competitive applicant. Out of this list of schools, which would constitute reaches, targets or super reaches? I understand none of these are safeties, because I am not dead-set on transferring. </p>

<p>UPenn (I'm from Philadelphia, my dream school out of high school)
Columbia
Duke
Dartmouth
Cornell
Brown
Vandy
Emory
Georgetown
UVA
UMich</p>

<p>Any advice is appreciated!</p>

<p>seems like u hav a chance</p>

<p>If you are VERY happy at your current school why do you want to transfer?</p>

<p>He probably wants the prestige.</p>

<p>You do realize that schools expect a minimum of 250 words on Why You Want to Transfer? How many words does it take to explain: I want prestige</p>

<p>if all i wanted was prestige id stay at vanderbilt lol. thank god thats not actually my motivation behind transferring</p>

<p>Doesn’t seem to be challenged too much with all A’s and A+'s… I don’t see why it would be wrong to want to apply to those schools</p>

<p>hopeful292,
you’re right. There’s nothing wrong with him considering applying. It’s funny how people jump to the conclusion so quickly that prestige is always THE reason. And if so, so what? Their life.</p>

<p>OP,
you definitely have a chance at all those schools. It’s just that no one here can really give an accurate, FACT answer. You just have to try to put forward your best application. Don’t be too wary of admissions percentages, 10-20% acceptance means the feat may be difficult, but it isn’t impossible.</p>

<p>I take back what I said. If your like me, it could be just to prove that you can in fact get to that level. Good luck!</p>

<p>While I am definitely not dead-set on transferring, I’m only wondering what kind of chances I would have, and I do have a few reasons. These schools would offer better resources to students in the way of internships, faculty connections, and ultimately job opportunities. While these factors are certainly linked with prestige, these are the same reasons that thousands of people apply to these institutions every year. Additionally, the only real qualm I have with my current school is that I am receiving almost no scholarship money. After applying for returning student scholarships, I was hoping my grades and extracurriculars would merit a better package. However, after being given a very disappointing offer, I felt slightly put off. Also, I am out-of-state at this school, so it is far from dirt cheap. As such, I am really looking at the cost-benefit ratio of attending, especially in this economy. Had I been offered a more substantive scholarship, I wouldn’t even be thinking about transferring. Sorry about the long post, but I wanted clarify that I’m not just some uber prestige-whore.</p>

<p>Does anyone have any anecdotal evidence about either UPenn or Dartmouth?</p>

<p>I think it’s fine to apply. However, even though your chances of getting in increase with the amount of schools you apply to, you’re wasting a lot of money. Why do you want to go to any of these schools? Keep in mind that an acceptance into a top school often depends on reasons (ie. why you need their school).</p>

<p>Note the definition of prestige. It includes the words influence, success and wealth. Why would it be wrong for anyone to seek prestige in where they go to school? In the real world, the prestige of where one got his degrees often matters.</p>

<p>[prestige</a> definition | Dictionary.com](<a href=“http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/prestige]prestige”>PRESTIGE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com)</p>