<p>I just graduated from community college and want to transfer. I want to apply somewhere competitive and here's what I'd put in my application: cumulative GPA 4.0, extra curricular activities: a bunch of music ensembles, honor societies, volunteer at the library, no prior work experience (I've never had a job), SAT 1800, A.S. mathematics, and I think that's it. I may not look too impressive to really competitive places, based on my SATs and lack of work experience. I have a ton of musical accomplishments to list though, so that might suffice. Where do you think I should apply? Most deadlines are March 1, so I have to hurry up and decide!</p>
<p>What do you want to major in? How much can you afford? Where do you live? What kind of school: big/medium/small; urban/rural/suburban; private/public, LAC/research U?</p>
<p>These are just some of the questions we (and you) need answers to.</p>
<p>I want to continue with mathematics wherever I transfer. I want to exclude affordability from my search for right now and just worry about the academics where I’m applying. I’m on the east coast and I’d like to stay between there and the mid west and it doesn’t matter how far north or south. School size does not really matter to me either. I just want somewhere with a very good math program.</p>
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<p>That risks the possibility of getting into several schools, all of which are too expensive.</p>
<p>Make sure that you have affordable safeties. With a 4.0 GPA, it is likely that net price after financial aid and scholarships figures prominently in determining whether a school is a safety.</p>
<p>Do not ignore your in-state public universities, especially if you are a resident of NY, NJ, PA, MD, GA, or NC.</p>
<p>There are literally dozens of schools with very good math departments in the northeast-midwest. Here is one CC thread on this topic:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/873719-good-undergraduate-math-schools.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/873719-good-undergraduate-math-schools.html</a></p>
<p>Like UCB advises, I’d start by checking out your instate flagship then proceed to some of the better known privates. Keep in mind that generally, there’s little in the way of financial aid for transfer students. If money really is no object, you could also check out some of the other top public flagships – SUNYs, Univ of Maryland, UVA, Michigan, Wisconsin. Out of state tuition there will be steep, though. Also, keep in mind that some of the powerhouses in math (Princeton, for example) may not take transfer students, so your first step is to check that, plus what kind of transfer requirements they have for math students in particular.</p>
<p>What do your instructors and the Transfer Advisor at your CC have to suggest? Usually they are very good at helping their best students identify good places to apply to for transfer.</p>
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<p>In-state public universities may be as generous with financial aid to transfers as to freshmen, since they may have a mission of serving poorer students who got their start at community college.</p>
<p>But out-of-state public universities tend to come up short for financial aid in general.</p>
<p>Private schools may have varying policies on financial aid for transfers versus freshmen.</p>
<p>Merit scholarships tend to be less common for transfers than for freshmen.</p>
<p>ucbalumnus: thanks for the idea, I’ll have to apply to some of my in state schools! I’ve already applied to some very good schools that I know I won’t pay a fortune at since I’ll be paying in-state tuition.</p>
<p>katliamom: That’s a very helpful link! I was thinking I’d apply to some of the bigger, well known schools just to see if I got in or if I got any aid. I think Princeton doesn’t take transfer students at all, but other well known schools do. I’m not too excited about paying a steep amount for my education, but if I get into one of those highly ranked school, I might just borrow the money…</p>
<p>happymomof1: One of my professors told me to apply to MIT, but he was a history professor and didn’t know too much about my mathematical abilities. A woodwind professor told me to go to an in state school here, known for their legendary flute professor that churns out flute prodigies… I applied there, but not at MIT because I’ve never taken the SAT subject tests. No other professors have suggested anything to me, but I guess I should ask! I should probably make an appointment with an adviser as well!</p>
<p>ucbalumnus: I’ve been accepted to one of my in state universities and they didn’t give me much in scholarships. Still, I think it might end up being less than what I would pay put of state! So far, I’ve applied to four in state schools and comparing how much they give in aid and scholarships.</p>
<p>I would suggest Cornell. The 4.0 at CC trumps the lower than normal (by Cornell standards) SAT score. They do take transfers, and need-based aid would be about as good as you can expect anywhere.</p>
<p>Your chance of admisson looks promising up to Cornell. You can try</p>
<p>-Boston College
-UMCP
-BU
-UVa</p>
<p>^^ BU is notorious for giving very little aid.</p>
<p>but if I get into one of those highly ranked school, I might just borrow the money…</p>
<p>As a rising junior, the amount that YOU can borrow is &7500 per year. That won’t pay for much. </p>
<p>To borrow more would require willing and quallified cosigners. Do you have qualified and willing cosigners? If not, then that won’t be an option.</p>
<p>It’s not a good idea to borrow a lot for undergrad.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions! I really want to apply to Cornell and I’ve been working on my app. As for borrowing money, I may be able to get a private loan if I need to. I’ve been discussing this with my parents and they told me about private loans. I may not want to borrow so much though, like you said.</p>