What are my *transfer* chances for Columbia, Penn, Northwestern, Cornell, and Vanderbilt?

I am currently a freshman that just finished their first semester at Wesleyan University with a 3.7 GPA. Coming home for Christmas Break, I noticed that a lot of my friends that have higher GPAs went to state schools with an easier course load.

Personally, I think I took some pretty difficult classes and Wesleyan is definitely not an easy school.

I guess what I’m asking is: is there a difference between a 3.7 from Wesleyan vs. a 4.0 from my local state school/community college? I don’t mean to bash state schools. I’m well aware that there are many public schools that are academically rigorous. But the people I talk to just brag about how they are able to sleep through class and get an A since they have so many people in one class; that doesn’t really slide with the small classes at Wesleyan…

As far as ECs go, I participated in the stand-up comedy club and was on the writing staff of the school’s satirical publication. I also wrote a series of sketches that I hope to submit to these schools as a portfolio under the category “creative writing.” I mainly spent my time studying, trying to get a good GPA to transfer, but that seems to have failed. I’m extremely bummed that this 3.7 might hold me back, but I was wondering if maybe the school’s rigor would be conveyed through my course load? (I took an upper-level psychology class, a political theory class, a Spanish film class, and a class mixed with history, English, and philosophy.)

I also believe that the professors I asked for recommendations like me, and I do not doubt their writing abilities considering the fact that they both have published books and articles.

Finally, I know that the transfer rates at these schools are extremely low and that my chances were already minimal to begin with. I’m just nervous that my chances went from 0.1% to 0%. A little exaggeration at the end there, or was it? hehe.

Transfer rates for all of these schools are all sub 10% – even lower than the freshman admit rate. But going to Wesleyan will certainly help. You’ll never know unless you apply.

@sgopal2 Yeah the chances are low right off the bat. I just hope that they’ll take into consideration the school I go to and the courses I took. Because looking at a 3.7 with no context does not help my case at all.

I forgot about Cornell. Getting in as a transfer to Cornell is possible, esp Agriculture and ILR. I remember reading on the Cornell forum a while back that they even have guaranteed transfer programs above a certain GPA. I think it was 3.3. They even have articulation agreements with many of the community colleges in upstate NY. So take a close look at Cornell.

Vanderbilt’s CDS indicates a a 30% acceptance rate for transfer applicants.

Regarding your chances in general, your 3.7 represents excellent work at Wesleyan. However, factors such as your standardized testing will still be considered. Though if you submitted your scores as part of your application to Wesleyan, they would be fine for the other schools you listed as well.

@sgopal2: Unless things have changed substantially over the last year, the transfer rates at these schools Northwestern, Cornell & Vanderbilt are well above 10%.

I have not checked Penn & Columbia’s CDS to determine their transfer acceptance rate.

OP: A 4.0 GPA at a state school will typically be held in higher regard than a 3.7 GPA at Wesleyan University for transfer purposes–although it can & will vary by school.

P.S. Based on your activities at your current school, Wesleyan seems as if it would be a great fit for you.

Most important though is the reason why you want to transfer from Wesleyan, your current school, to any of these five elite National Universities ? Grading at Cornell, Northwestern & Columbia–and probably at Penn & Vanderbilt as well–is tough due to the competition & due to expectations.

“Based on your activities at your current school, Wesleyan seems as if it would be a great fit for you.”

This is what I am thinking also. I think that you will do very well at Wesleyan. My suggestion is that you make friends, participate in activities that you find interesting and enjoyable, work very hard in your classes, pay attention at all times, attend every class, and try to get the best grades that you can. Strive for A’s. Those other schools will still be there if you are thinking about graduate school three or four or five years from now.

A few comments:
– A 3.7 from Wesleyan will not hold you back from anything.
–What makes you think grading is “easier” at the colleges you are looking to transfer to?
–You seem to be happy and doing well – I don’t get why you want to transfer. The grass is not always greener on the other side.

@publisher: Thanks, I stand corrected. Appreciate you pointing this out.

Why do you want to transfer? It will not be easier to get a higher gpa at the schools you listed. Your current gpa is very good…you seem to be doing well at your current school. I am not quite sure why you wish to transfer.

As far as your friends who have 4.0’s at state schools …and brag about sleeping through classes while still getting the A…I am confused. Are you concerned that students from state schools will have an easier time transferring to the schools you listed because it was easier for them to get a 4.0?

Honestly, I would stay put and take advantage of everything that Wesleyan has to offer…it’s an excellent school.

Your 3.7 from Wesleyan will not hold you back. The admissions officers at these schools understand the differences in cohorts and the level of demand at different schools. You’re trying to compare apples and oranges and it really can’t be done. Give yourself a break and stop trying to compare yourself at all.

The bigger question, which you haven’t addressed at all in your post, is why you want to transfer? Are you unhappy at school? Is there a way to address the issues without transferring? Is there an academic interest you want to pursue that’s not available to you at Wesleyan? I’m guessing you aren’t looking for that easy experience that your state school friends are describing because I don’t see any state schools on your transfer application list. My only advice would be that you think hard about transferring and make the move only if you have carefully and honestly considered why a transfer would lead to a better college experience.