Hello,
I am a prospective transfer student who is currently in the second semester of his sophomore year at a top 200 university (ranking taking from USNWR) on the east coast. I enrolled at this institution because I was awarded a significant merit aid scholarship and I was able to keep my job to pay off my remaining tuition balance. I have tried to make the best of my situation (4.0 GPA thus far, ~60 credits taken, honors program, work full time, involved in the university, volunteer in tutoring office, in consideration for one of the university’s Truman scholarship nominations), yet I have never truly felt happy here. I have already taken most of the upper-level courses related to my major and my interests but was never academically challenged in my work. Also, many students commute, and campus life and student involvement is sparse after classes are over for the night/week. Granted, this is not a major reason for me wanting to leave, but I do believe it is an important component in forming the complete undergraduate collegiate experience that my peers are enjoying at their respective institutions.
I am looking for a challenge and a place with a strong political science/philosophy department; I am seeking advice from anyone who has successfully transferred to a top 50 program and what made you identified that program as a target school. I have already applied to USC (prior transfer forums make me believe I have a chance of admission there and their program is strong), but I am looking to find other schools where I would be a competitive applicant.
Thanks,
Brad