Transfer Admissions 101 - Page 8

nhsharvard · 05-28-2008, 12:34 AM

Claymangs07, thanks for the advice for the community. I heard that I might have a hard time trying to get a high GPA at Berkeley, but I'll try.

If I'll have Sophomore standing at Berkeley in my 1st year because of AP credit, would I be able to apply to Brown, Penn, etc. as a 1st or 2nd year student?

wlsdn516 · 05-28-2008, 05:01 PM

I'm a senior in HS and thinking about transferring in my first or second year in college. I took 5 AP courses this year and got good grades (all above 90's; my school doesn't use letter grades), but I thought AP exams were pretty hard and expect to get low scores. Will I be required to send my AP scores for transfer admission?? Will there be my AP scores on my college transcript? If the amissions officers looked at my HS transcripts and found no scores elsewhere, will I be at disadvantage? Schools like Stanford, MIT, and Chicago don't talk about AP scores anywhere on their website.

Andale · 05-28-2008, 06:41 PM

Most often, you do not submit AP scores as part of the application process (for freshman or transfer). Sometimes there is a place for you to put them on your application but it is optional. I'm not aware of any where you have to list them, much less have to send in official score reports (there could be exceptions, so be sure and check each particular school, but this is the general rule).

Typically, you only submit AP scores to:
1. the school where you actually are accepted and decide to matriculate
2. for courses where you want to receive credit or placement into a higher level class.

Typically, AP scores do no show up on college transcripts - even if you got college credit. If they are not on your hs transcript, the schools will likely not know the scores. Some students still don't even take the AP test, so colleges don't necessarily expect you to have a score for every AP you took.

wlsdn516 · 05-28-2008, 06:44 PM

Thank you, Andale. May I PM you for some personal questions?

Andale · 05-28-2008, 06:51 PM

I will try to answer.

tiff90 · 05-29-2008, 11:31 AM

I'm going to be a freshman in the fall 08', have tested out of 4 classes b/c APs and am planning to transfer.
HS- GPA 3.89w, 3.6ish uw, graduated early(would have inflated my gpa if I stayed), 1320/2040, didn't do well on SAT 2's.
I'm going to attend Case Western, and want to transfer to a top 25 school, Really want to go to Penn/Swarthmore or equally good school for poli sci/pre law/journalism.
I get additional aid at Penn/Swarthmore b/c I'm from PA.
What do I need to do in order to strenghten my chances at such school? Retake SATs? Any other advice would be great
Oh yeah, which top schools would offer the best aid?
THANKS

st.arnie · 06-01-2008, 05:59 AM

Hi,

I'm planning on transferring to Wellesley, and the website says applicants should have at least 2 academic semesters under their belt. I plan on applying as an incoming sophomore, but am confused as to the phrase '2 academic semesters'.
If I become a freshman this fall, do I apply to transfer by the March deadline, or after completing two semesters aka after receiving my grades back(which I think is in late May)?

Also, I'll be attending Mount Holyoke this fall. How do you think the adcoms at Wellesley will look at this? I know the burden falls upon me to prove why I want to transfer, but do you think the fact that these schools are so similar is a minus?

Thanks!

entomom · 06-01-2008, 12:16 PM

tiff & st.arnie,

Previously posted by the Moderator:

"Reminder re posting in this thread
I have recently moved several posts, with questions about very specific and unique situations, to their own threads.

Please note: This thread is NOT an appropriate place to post such questions.

1. It is meant to be a general information and reference thread.
2. Your question is highly unlikely to be noticed. The posts I recently moved have languished here, unanswered for a week or more.

This is not meant to be a criticism; just guidance on how to best use this thread and the Transfer Forum to help you with information and answers."

st.arnie · 06-01-2008, 06:42 PM

Sorry entomom!

I tried deleting my post but I guess only moderators are allowed to do so....

entomom · 06-01-2008, 10:09 PM

arnie,
No need to delete, but do try starting another thread on this forum and you will likely get more responses

.

mblackm8 · 06-05-2008, 11:52 AM

"Essays
When applying, make your "Why transfer" essay very specific as to why this school is the one for you. Know more about the school than general man-on-the-street knowledge plus its ranking. Research in-depth about your major at the school, faculty research interests, special programs. Maybe do the same about ECs of interest for you. Show how the school fits your needs in ways that your current school doesn't. But do not diss your current school. Show what you will contribute to the school."

I understand I need to be specific and all that jazz about the school I want to transfer to,but how does this hold up when I am using the common app? I mean, how can I be specific about a certain school when I am applying to three simultaneously?

entomom · 06-05-2008, 11:57 AM

You write your CA essay for one school, submit it, modify the essay and send it to the next school, etc.

mblackm8 · 06-05-2008, 01:36 PM

Thanks, entomom.

nhsharvard · 06-08-2008, 10:23 PM

What types of classes should I take as a 1st year transfer? I did not find the answer in this thread.

chris90 · 07-06-2008, 07:40 PM

Hello everyone. I hope to transfer to a school that I was rejected from for freshman admission. I checked on the website for transfer applicants and it said that they strongly suggest that you do not apply to transfer after one year if you were previously denied admission. Now, I know someone who was granted transfer after being denied. What does this mean? Should I not apply to transfer at all? Are my chances greatly reduced?