I’m a black 20 yo student in Germany and I probably am going to start at a German med school in April (We don’t have colleges here, we go directly from school to a specific university degree). I graduated from a “gymnasium” (most competitive school form in Germany) with an average grade of 1.9 (on a scale from 1.0 (best) to 6.0). I should probably add that the academic level at that school is quite high, comparable to American college classes. Sadly I dealt with bullying and severe mental health issues which had quite a toll on my grades, otherwise I could’ve gotten a score around 1.0. Now that I’m at my full mental capacity again I’m positive I’ll be able to achieve excellent grades in my first year at university. So let’s assume I achieve sufficient SAT scores and excellent grades in my first year at university, what would my chances for a successful transfer to either Harvard, Stanford, Yale or Columbia be? What significance do extracurricular activities and my school grades hold, considering I’m a transfer student? What would my chances at either UCLA, NYU or another UC school be (for which no SAT would be required)? As far as extracurricular activities and experiences go I worked at a refugee law clinic, am an active member of a political party, had a long internship at a law firm, am a student assistant at med school, tutor, interned at a hospital as a nurse and I’m probably going to pursue a job at the German parliament. Also I’m planning on adding further activities to my CV. So what do you think are my chances?
A school like Harvard takes about 12 transfers a year from over 1200 applications. I suspect a that some of these transfers are sought after athletes. Stanford and Yale won’t be much better. Perhaps, Columbia might be easier because they seem to like full pay internationals (assuming you are full pay). Don’t know about the UCs but you will definitely be full pay if you are accepted. Best of luck to you!
California UC’s only accept Junior level transfers so your SAT would not be considered. Only your post HS GPA, personal statement and major related EC’s. Priority is given to in-state community college transfers so you would be low man on the priority list.
I already knew that but given I have excellent grades in my first two semesters an university, are my chances good?
Not familiar with the German grading system, if you have excellent grades, the UC’s are definitely possible.
What about NYU, University of Chicago, Berkeley, USC, Tufts, Amherst and UPenn?
Transfers are rarely admitted, especially from abroad, regardless of qualifications. You’re better off applying as a freshman. Are you in your last year of gymnasium right now?
Will you be able able to be full pay?
No, I’m out of school but haven’t started university yet. If I studied in Germany for a year I could present excellent grades and extracurricular activities and my school grades wouldn’t be that important but like this my school grades which aren’t that impressing are all I have.
If I’m going to be full-pay I’d have to pay everything with a loan as I barely have any money.
Or should I attend a German university for a while, achieve excellent grades and then apply as a freshman?
You can’t attend a German university and apply as a freshman. You can enroll if it’srequired to maintain health insurance but you can’t actually take classes.
And international transfers do not get financial aid (or rarely).
No one will loan you the money to attend an Ivy League university (a quarter million dollars).
So, your best bet is to apply with your 1.9, get a high ACT or SAT score, continue with your current activities, and hope for the best.
What alternatives do I have in order to pay for those schools? Are you sure there aren’t any institutions that will loan me the money if I attend an Ivy League school?
Also, aren’t some of those schools need-blind and offer financial aid for everyone including internationals?
If you need financial aid forget about UC Berkeley or any California UC since they do not offer aid to International students. German Universities are great and will not cost you. Why not stay where are?
Why can’t I just pay it with a student loan?
I’m 100% going to transfer to an American college, the question is just which one and how can I get a student loan.
No US bank would lend you the kind of money needed to pay your tuition/room/board etc… All US residents are eligible for student loans through FASFA up to $27K for 4 years ($5500 Freshman year, $6500 Sophomore year, $7500 Junior/Senior year). Any other loans needed would be taken out by their parents- Parent Plus loans or Private loans, but no US student would be able to get the amounts your are talking about on their own. You need to look for loans in your own country or find a qualified co-signer for loans (Family/Relative) here.
UC’s would cost anywhere from $55K-$60K/year to attend, not including transportation costs. You will not get loans for that amount…
How much can your parents contribute each year to your college education?
What we’re trying to tell you is that it’s VERY difficult to transfer to an American university if you’re an international student in need of financial aid.
Your best option is to apply either as a freshman (don’t start your studies in Germany) or as a graduate student. (Many grad school programs are funded, so you don’t pay tuition and you earn a small salary during your studies.
Your other option is to take out a loan in your country. No bank in the US will give you a loan.
Keep in mind, some of the schools you listed (Harvard, Yale, Stanford) take only a few transfers students each year, and few of those are international students. If you’re determined to study in the US, you may have to aim for other universities. (USC isn’t a bad choice.)
Forget Berkeley. It’s a public university funded by California taxpayers. They do not give financial aid to students who aren’t California residents.
Bottom line: you asked what are your chances? The answer: not very good.
What if I get a greencard, then I won’t be considered an international student and will be eligible for financial aid, won’t I?
How would you get a green card?
Your choices are
- Apply to a variety of universities as a freshman; outside of the five that are need blind, it will help if you can cover your room and board ($15,000) or more (25-30,000, which is what most American families have to pay.) Start preparing for the sat or the act now, because practice is essential.
- Apply to whatever university offers full tuition or full ride for your sat/act, or a community college then try to transfer from there. TC3 in nys, California cc 's, Florida or Virginia have good agreements. However you’d most likely be ineligible for financial aid during the transfer part. Cc 's will cost 20-25k a year, university more than that.
- you can’t borrow a quartet million dollars. However you can complete your first and second cycle in Germany, then apply for a graduate (PhD) program. You’ll likely get a tuition waiver and a small stipend.
- if a parent has a green card and you’re under 21 and unmarried, you can get a green card. Things will be simpler. But even American citizens and residents have the same problem: transfers get lousy aid, if any.