hey everyone, i had solid ECs, three leadership roles, and strong LORs, but my transcript had three Cs due to family circumstances, which i explained in the additional info section. my essay was strong, and i applied test-optional. i got into three lacs and will be attending one, but i’m considering transferring to bowdoin. should i go test-optional again, or wait until my second year so my high school grades matter less?
would love any advice from those who’ve transferred!
There’s only one way to guarantee that you don’t like the college you go to freshman year- and that’s to start planning to transfer even before you get there.
First, congrats on your LAC acceptances. I would encourage you when you start this Fall to give the school you choose every chance to be the place you want to be for four years.
Bowdoin takes few transfers. But yes, if you want to give yourself the best chance, I would lean towards putting 3 semesters of distance between your HS grades and your app to Bowdoin (which would happen spring semester of your soph year in this example.) Of course you will need good college grades and ECs for a successful transfer app. I don’t know your full GPA, rigor or test score, so can’t comment on whether or not you should apply TO. Do know that Bowdoin is truly test optional.
Good luck at your school in the fall, I hope you love it!
Thank you for this!
My school doesn’t calculate GPA, so they provided me with an 86/100 to submit to colleges. My school is rigorous, if that helps answer any questions. I tried studying for the SAT for about six months but wasn’t making the progress I wanted. My college counselor wants me to take it to balance out my grades, but I don’t want to put that stress on myself again.
I agree with @blossom 100%. It is a terrible idea to start college with the intent of transferring. This mindset can get in the way of your developing friendships, creating relationships with professors, getting involved in ECs, etc.
If you want to throw in an application to Bowdoin down the line (I’d recommend applying as a junior for the reasons noted above) nobody here can or should stop you. But don’t count on it working out. If you look at last year’s common data set Bowdoin accepted only 22 transfer students (under 10%).
In addition, while a successful transfer can absolutely be done but it also can be difficult. Many friendships are formed freshman year when everyone is new to the school, you will be coming into a new situaltion when your peers are settled in, etc.
There are tons of amazing LACs out there – I’d strongly recommend you start your college experience off with a positive attitude.
If you have already studied for the SAT for six months and taken it after this much studying, it seems at best unclear that any additional improvement is likely to happen.
Of course we do not know which three you are considering. However, there are a large number of very good liberal arts colleges in the US. There are very good professors at any one of at least a hundred or more LACs, and small classes taught by full professors, and lots of opportunities (including research, internships, and …).
Bowdoin takes very few transfer students.
I agree with others that most likely you will want to pick one of the three LACs that you have been accepted to, and go there expecting to stay there for four years.
Just want to add that I absolutely would not re-take the SAT after HS graduation. The SAT is an exam meant specifically for HS students. Even if you improve your score as a college student, it will not impress anyone and will not move the needle in terms of admissions.
Hopefully you have some great and affordable LAC acceptances. Go forward and make the most of your college years.
Just to put in perspective, in the last CDS 255 applied. 22 were accepted.
Seems like they want non traditional, community college students and more - not simply four year school transfers.
Bowdoin is great but it is not the only. Far from it. I’m sure where you are going is great too. Focus there - take advantage of opportunities and hopefully you’ll have such a great time that you’ll never want to leave.
Good luck.
If you are determined to transfer, go to community college. You will save money, get stellar recs, and have a 4.0. Most schools take more CC transfers (the AA degree is terminal) than they take from schools whose students could complete a bachelor degree right where they are.
Or you could embrace one of your existing choices and commit.