Edenruro

Hello

I am currently enrolled in one of the top universities in México, I have completed one semester.
I want to apply as a transfer to Amherst college and major in physics.
I know Amherst is ranked among the best liberal art colleges in the U.S and it is also very competitive; because of that, I want to have a sense of my chances of being accepted.

Here is a resume of my grades and scores

High school GPA: 99 (ranked 1st out of 36 graduates, same course load for everyone)

College GPA: 96.5 (3.875 in the 4.0 scale I think) A+ in math and in physics

SAT: 560 CR 800M 570W. I know my CR and W are very low for a top college and this is what worries me the most

SAT II: 800 physics 750 Math I 760 Math II

Significant EC: Soccer varsity in high school and math olympiads (twice state's first place, national third place in 2008)

TOEFL iBT: 108

1-Overall, what do you think are my chances of being accepted in Amherst?

2-Do you think that I have a better chance in a non-liberal art top university (like Dartmouth or MIT) where my SAT scores won't affect as much?

3-Which is a better score, 760 in Math II or 750 in math I?

4-Do you think that the fact that I am Mexican is going to somehow hurt my chances?

Thank you for your help

shadglore

Good.I'm also an international transfer applicant but currently in a US university.I advise you get some other schools as matches just in case you dont get into those.People will discourage you here.Its normal and the advice is sometimes true.But anyways,apply because you'll never know

college_ruled

Besides your SAT score, I think you have "competitive" stats. However, for the fall of 2009 Amherst only accepted 24 out 421 applicants, so the process is competitive for everyone. Are you applying for financial aid? Amherst is one of the few (only?) schools that is need blind for international transfers.

At some schools (including my own) transfers from international universities must apply for first year admission. This could be advantageous for your situation, because the acceptance rate for first year students is often higher than it is for transfer students.

artloversplus

I think you have a good chance. Don't worry too much about the English Scores in SAT as the adcoms know that you are from an non-english speaking country. You did very well on the toefl, that is important. Its more important for LACs like Amhurst to find a "fit", if you fit in with the school, school will accept you. So the essay you write is very important, make sure you have no errors in it and express your mind well. If you have the killer essay, you have a chance.

Edenruro

Thank you for your responses

@ college ruled: I do need quite some FA tahts why I'm not even bothering with other LAC like williams or southwestern. And yes I could have applied as a freshman which would have been a better idea, but the deadline already passed.

When sending the common app do you know if I need to also send a copy of any important award I have won?

abdelgadoo

Hey! I'm a mexican student enrolled in a university here in mexico but I'm looking forward on applying as a freshman for next fall, what happened with your application? did you get in?