theomos2012

Hey guys,

I am currently a freshman at Penn State, but am looking to transfer to Brown. I have a few questions regarding the process and my situation.

- I am a legacy; my dad graduated from Brown in 86. I was wait listed when I applied as a senior, however, I feel that had I not been a legacy I probably would have been denied. Not that I didn't have a good high school career, but there is good, then there is Brown Good. Does being a legacy carry any weight as a transfer?

- Being at a school with 40,000+ undergraduates, it is hard to get to know my professors on a personal level. I am trying my best, but I feel like it is going to be hard to get close enough to a professor to the point where they can give me a solid recommendation. Some of them have limited office hours that I can't even attend because they conflict with my other classes. Will this effect my competitiveness?

In addition, I would really appreciate any advice or stories of current transfers. How is Brown as a transfer? What were your college statistics/activities like if you don't mind sharing?

Thanks a lot!

NapoleonInRags

1. Being a legacy will have the same influence in transfer admissions as in freshman admissions. Usually it's dual-parent, sibling, or multi-generational legacies that really make the difference

2. Yes, it will. It's your responsibility to get to you know professors at an intimate level. You can do this. Don't excuse yourself out by saying there are so many people or office hours are limited. These things make it harder, but harder happens. It's your job to get around that. Email the professor and set up an alternate time appointment. Stay after class and ask a (good) question. Sit up front. These are all things that help.

I was a transfer, feel free to hit me up for help or advice

NapoleonInRags

Also, I thought Brown was great as a transfer. Most people make their group of friends within their fellow transfers, but I really branched out through clubs and meeting people in my dorm. After a few months no one knew I was a transfer at all.

I had a strong high school career with exceptional extra curriculars (but bad SATs and bad overall applications). I got my SATs up a little to a respectable (but not great) level between senior applications and transferring. I had a lot of extra curriuclars, good recs, new essays, and a 3.64 after 1st semester and a 4.0 at midterms second semester (i took it upon myself to send in a mid semester report -- which some schools require -- and as an application coach i highly recommend).