arcadefire1027

Here's a question I'm not sure was answered yet in here: is it ok to send materials before I've submitted the application? Will they just start a file on me?

entomom

Banana,
I'd guess that the HS Secondary report would hold less weight in your case because you have more of a college record than most soph transfers.

af,
Yes, you can submit pieces of your application in any order and they will start a file under your name. Just be sure that your name is the same on all materials.

transfer10fall

Hey entomom,
I'm a freshman at a top 10 LAC thinking about transferring because it's really, really expensive. I'm also looking for greater breadth of classes in math and science. I'm looking mainly at my state school but also at a few private schools that are generous with aid (MIT, Grinnell, Brown, Northwestern). In my essays for the private schools, is it OK for me to say that money is one reason I'm transferring? Or should I just steer clear of that topic and focus on the math/science bit? And when I ask my professors for recommendations and they ask me why I'm transferring...is it OK to tell them as well, or is that not a good idea?
Thanks!

entomom

That's a good question, and while money is a practical consideration, I haven't thought much about bringing it up in a transfer essay.

I don't know which LAC you attend and am not familiar with all of their COA and FA policies, but I have a hard time imagining that cost will be very different between a top 10 LAC and the schools you've listed. Seems like most, meet 100% of need, and as a transfer I don't think merit aid is involved (unless Grinnell has merit for transfers). Is there something concrete that makes you think these schools will offer you more FA if accepted? Particularly B which is need-aware for transfers AND states that it doesn't have a lot of FA for transfers.

That may be a moot point, as I think that you probably shouldn't discuss the money aspect even though it is an important factor in attending college. I don't think you want to bring up the possibility that a school thinks you're transferring for their money. In a sense, the reasons for applying to a school as a fr and transfer are similar (you just have more information about college and your needs as a transfer), and you would never think of saying as a fr that you're applying due to their generous FA policy or lower COA. Of course everyone knows how much schools cost and which schools give more FA, but it's not something that's stated as a reason for applying.

As I said, these are really my first thoughts on this, and if someone has similar or contrary opinions, please speak up. I'm not sure I've looked at your question in all possible ways, and I don't want to steer you wrong.

transfer10fall

Well, I applied early decision and my package was pretty slim...I think when you apply ED you get less money, b/c the consensus among my friends that applied ED is that school is very expensive, while everyone else got generous packages. So it's on this basis that I assume I'll get more money if I apply from a nonbinding position (Grinnell also has a much better policy regarding merit aid/loans for me, and I used an EFC calculator on MIT's website and came up with an EFC about $11,000 less than what I get right now.).

I think you're probably right about the essays. My other question was, to apply to Grinnell and MIT, I have to ask 2 professors (as well as my high school counselor) to write recommendations for me. I'll probably ask my math and science professors, and I feel almost...mean..to tell them I'm transferring because solely because their respective departments are bigger and better at Grinnell and MIT. Should I mention that cost is also a factor, or is this something sticky that is better left unsaid? (I mean everyone knows it is, but it's also pretty personal and I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable). What about with my high school counselor?

coolshadow888z

I, freshman at Notre Dame, want to apply as a transfer to several institutions (Northwestern, Columbia, Yale, etc.), where I previously got rejected/or waitlisted from. Do you think these colleges still have my old application from last year and consider it for my transfer admission decision, or will they solely look at my new application?

entomom

Each college is different, some throw them all out, others hold, some hold only if you ask them in the spring when you were denied/WLed. I know that Y doesn't keep old applications. You need to call individual schools to find out what they do.

Bananana3

Thanks for your help. Can letters of recommendation be written by a TA, or must they be from the professor him/herself?

korhawaus

Hi Entomom,

I know I've asked you about this countless times so I apologize...But I finally submitted my first CA application and I successfully created my alternate version. However, when I click the button "replicate," a popup window comes up and tells me to check two things before preceding...the agreement is as follows...and I copy and pasted this..

I am creating an alternate version of my application to 1) correct an error I discovered after submission, or 2) provide new information not available when I first submitted my application.

Required I understand that it is not necessary to nor should I "customize" my Common Application for individual colleges. Individual college supplements and supplemental essay questions should be used to provide special information to different colleges.

Did they do these agreement things past years too? I mean, I'm just a little worried that I am actually using my alternate version to customize for each of my school, even when the agreement forbids... :/

entomom

banana, TAs are fine.

kor, this is the first year I've heard of the CAs agreement about customizing applications. Why don't you do a Search on the CA subforum to see what others have done, and if you don't find anything, start a thread there and ask.

korhawaus

Alright, Thanks Entomom.

Mindrust

I have a question if anyone can answer it:

Is it too late to apply for the Fall 2010 Semester?

I'm applying for Uconn's School of Engineering. Their deadline seems to be April 1st for that particular school on the main campus. What are the down sides of applying late (but before the deadline)?

NEU2NU

@mindrust,

As long as the school is not accepting students on a "Rolling" basis, there will be no disadvantage. (unless you apply after the deadline )

Mindrust

Thanks for answering me, NEU2NU.

Would you mind clarifying what you mean by a "rolling" basis?

NEU2NU

Rolling is when a college makes their admission decisions in the order that the applications come in until they fill up all of the spots.