<p>I am a sophomore at UPenn CAS. Got in on a lucky long shot (I wasn't the most "driven" or "directed" student in HS). Now it seems that I've found my direction, though there are other variables that have crept up and confounded things. </p>
<p>For starters, my interests have taken a complete 180. Originally intent on pursing poli-sci and econ as a sort of pre-MBA or law. Now I've gotten more interested in quant work. Used to do a lot of computer programming in high school, but never until recently considered taking it seriously, since my other HS quant classes kind of bored me. Some recent success in a few calc, stats, and intermediate econ classes at Penn, however, have made me change my mind about that.</p>
<p>Now intent on majoring in math, perhaps along with CS. I may take some more higher level economics class, although probably not. I enjoyed econ for transitioning me back into the quant world, but not particularly for it's own sake. I think I may ultimately want a job in software development or maybe academia, as I do enjoy pure math and theory.</p>
<p>So the change above changes some things. But it's not inherently bad, as a lot of people change their interests during college. The real monkey wrench thrown into my plan is not so much academic, but medical. For whatever reason, perhaps just flawed genetics, I've developed some disorders with my sleep and a general fatigue. Difficultly waking, staying awake, concentrating. It's not hopelessly bad - I have managed decent grades, but bad enough that I opted to work out a medical leave for this semester, go home and get it checked out by some docs. Consequently, I'm not as good with work-related stress and what not as I used to be, and so I'm considering the possibility of a less-competitive, more relaxed school to finish my undergrad in, as to avert the chance of burn-out. Although a more lateral-transfer or even sticking it out at Penn aren't out of the question...or maybe there's a school just as good as Penn but more easy-going? It's all quite up in the air.</p>
<p>My college GPA so far is 3.72 cumulative, generally upward-trending, though unusually volatile, composed of several curve-setting A+'s with a C and a B thrown in the mix. My course selection was geared towards math and economics, along with several economics history classes to satisfy liberal arts requirements. Anecdotally, the GPA seems to be pretty good relative to other students at Penn. Enough to satisfy an internal transfer into Wharton last spring (although I opted out of that a few months later, realizing it's not my thing...)</p>
<p>Due to my lesser energy levels and available time, my college ECs are unfortunately scant: some volunteer work in Habitat for Humanity and a "Law and Society" program, and being an informal math/programming/economics tutor are about all that come to mind. Although I do have several EC achievements from my better days in high school, which can be found here, among my other high school statistics:</p>
<p>Likewise, I have not had the zeal to network with much of the faculty. Although I do know one of my economics history professors fairly well. He seemed to like the papers I did very much, even asking if he might use one as an example to help others having difficulty with their writing and research. So I should be able to get one good recommendation...</p>
<p>If it'd be worth it, I'd be willing to retake the SAT. My high school scores were the result of only one trial, a trial I didn't take very seriously (zero preparation, opted to screw around instead of getting a good night's sleep the Friday before, etc. Not my brightest of moments.)</p>
<p>Also of note is that CS at Penn is strictly an SEAS/Engineering thing. And it's too late as per Penn's policies to transfer into that. I'm restricted to doing math in CAS with perhaps a minor in CS if I am to stay here. Something like NYU's ugrad program where CS is offered within a less-structured, more customizable liberal arts framework is appealing...</p>
<p>Anyway, if you've read this far through my ramblings about myself, it's obvious that I don't have a particular question to ask this board. I'm just sort of floating this all... Seeing what other prospective transfer students might think of my situation. If I ought to transfer, where to, what are the odds... Anything, really, that's useful input would be appreciated.</p>