strawberrydanish

HS GPA: 3.65 (similar unweighted and weighted)
SATs: 1890
4 AP classes
ECs/honors: unique Chinese instrument since childhood, photography - photograph accepted in nationwide competition, senior yearbook editor, National Honor Society, volunteer work and consistent job/work history, consistent Honor Roll

College GPA: 3.66/4.0
Major: Nursing > International Affairs > currently developing an independent major for Anthropology & Health Science (Biological/Medical Anthropology?)
ECs/honors: work-study, participation in Multiculturalism Living Learning Community, student mentor for a program that eases transition to college for new international students, orientation leader for international student institute, secretary of Vietnamese cultural club, Dean's List, Achievement Award scholarship, elections to National Society of Collegiate Scholars/Sigma Alpha Lambda (if those count for anything at all... I didn't join because I thought they would be a waste of money o.O)

I'm looking to transfer because 1. I don't feel academically challenged/stimulated at my school, both because of student and some professors' attitudes that grades matter more than actual learning and thinking 2. I feel the range of studies are very limited. I didn't realize that I wanted a more liberal arts/rounded education and most of the majors at my school are pretty tailored towards specific career paths 3. Similar to #2, it doesn't offer what I want to study. The anthropology program at my school is limited to cultural anthropology but I think I'm more interested in Biological Anthropology. At the same time, I'd also like to study health in a more general societal context rather than as a precursor to grad school (even though I plan on going to grad school).

Currently, I'm looking at Brandeis (for Anthropology and/or Health: Science, Society and Policy), Georgetown (Anthropology and/or Biology in Global Health), Wesleyan (Anthropology and/or Science in Society), and Johns Hopkins (Anthropology and/or Public Health Studies), but mainly the first two. What do you think my chances are for these schools considering my stats and reasons for transfer? I'd be transferring as a junior btw, which will hopefully make my ehh HS stats less important. Would it be worthwhile to transfer as a junior anyway? Or would it be more practical to stick it out as one of the top students in my class, especially with an independent major that'll show dedication and commitment, and just go to a top graduate school? Thanks!

stewartudall

I would hold off on saying that you are not academically challenged enough when your GPA is not a 4.0

strawberrydanish

True, maybe more emphasis should be placed on "academically stimulated" because the general atmosphere where people, even the professors, are more into students ultimately getting a job than academics is kind of not the atmosphere I want to be around. My GPA isn't stellar but I think it's about pretty average for transfers. Still, I plan for it to go up rather than down. I'd still really like go to a school that actually offers the major I'm interested in and have a more liberal arts program. Does that reason sound legit and what do my chances for these schools seem like? I don't mind the harsh comments, I just want to know the truth so I know what I need to work on.

strawberrydanish

Bump, can anyone else offer any of their input? I've also decided to add BU to the list as a Biological Anthropology major.