Chances for transferring to a Top 30 or Top 20

Transfer Students
1

Hello, I’m currently an sophomore at US News lower end Top 40 ranked school. I’m looking to transfer because my current undergraduate institution does not provide enough resources for my major and because the science based culture of my current institution isn’t compatible with my passions for social activism. Without further ado, here are my current stats.
High School GPA: 3.76 with 9 AP courses (Bio,Chem,English Lang, World, Stats, Calc AB) with rest Honors level coursework in sciences, maths, English, and Spanish.
High School Rank: N/A
High School Extracurricular: Quiz Bowl Club for 4 years (Captain and President during senior year); Rotary Interact Volunteering (4 years); Swimming (4 years); McDonald’s Crew Member (2 years); National Honors Society; Spanish National Honors Society (Nothing really special)
College @ Top 40
College GPA: 3.66 (after first year)
First year coursework:
First Semester: English; Biology, Chemistry, Microeconomics
Second Semester: Chemistry, 200 Level History, 300 Level Chinese, Macroeconomics, Calc II, Gen Chemistry Lab
Second Year Coursework:
Current Semester: Organic Chemistry I; OChem Lab, Psychology, English, Biology
Second Semester: OChem II, OChem II Lab, Calc 3, Intermediate Microecon, Comparative Chinese Literature, Comparative government
My school does not have +/- for grades, so all grades are recorded as A, B, C…
How does that play in when counselors are looking at GPA?

Current School Extracurricular: student government(top vote getter in election, worked with deans to improve resources for choices for undecided student; wrote resolution calling for more undecided resources, promoted a sanctuary campus resolution, & worked with food service company representatives to address student’s concerns); Volunteer (weekly 3 hrs at food bank for 10 weeks); tutoring( 2-3 hrs individually for peers in various classes); On-campus job (computer support service center 8 hrs for 10 weeks during first year); Residence Hall Association (Managed and planned events for 50 people); University Program Board (Initiate, plan, and manage events for student body; chaired freshman dance committee, and served as activities fair chair); Volunteer at hospital.

I’m wondering what my chances are for schools like UMich, UVa, Emory? I’m also applying to top 20s like Rice, WashU, and Vanderbilt as reaches.

2

Just a note: at this point, high school extracurriculars are irrelevant.

State schools such as UMich and UVA may not give you significant aid. Are you able and willing to pay for potentially exorbitant tuition?

3

“the science based culture of my current institution isn’t compatible with my passions for social activism.”

Whatever does this mean? Sure looks to me like you’ve managed to squeeze in quite a bit of activism right where you are now.

What is your major? Your courses look like a Chem major, which is pretty decent just about everywhere. What are your career goals? What is your plan if the transfer applications are all rejected?

4

Tuition is not a major factor in my decision. I made the most of what my school could offer. Yes, I’m a Chem major, but I have developed an interest in political science, and my school’s political science department is really small with only seven major faculty and the rest are visiting professors. I do have a plan if I get rejected.

5

Are you still interested in a STEM-related career? If so, you could just minor in political science.

In any event, I understand the desire for a more fully fleshed-out PoliSci department, the topic of campus cultures is a very abstract concept. What would lead you to believe that UMich/Vandy/UVA/etc. are more accommodating to social activism?

6

I thought about a minor, but I’m still very interested in political science. In terms of a career plan, I’m thinking of doing patent law, which it’s helpful to have a scientific background and a strong critical reading and writing background. Well, Michigan especially has been a strong place for social activism since the 1960s. UVa and Vandy are more so than my current institution.

7

Apply to Haverford, Swarthmore, Grinnell, American, GWU, Macalester, Wellesley and Smith if you’re a woman.
UVA wouldn’t really be a place for social activism. UMich and Emory aren’t especially known for social activitivism. Vanderbilt is good especially if you’re interested in conservative clubs.