I’m currently at a 4-year university, and I’m not very happy with how things are here. There are almost no clubs or student activities(well there is a dance once a week). I like to be involved and there is no way to do this here at my current school. It’s a nice school don’t get me wrong I think it’s great for those of us who need a small class environment, but it’s just not for me.
I have been thinking about transferring for the last few months and was wondering if I have a chance at the following schools: NYU, BU, UC DAVIS, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, (maybe Cornell but I doubt I’ll get in).
STATS
COLLEGE GPA: 3.87
HS GPA:3.5
MAJOR: COMMUNICATIONS
Act: not sending it if possible. I took it like two going on three years ago. (22) Should I retake it?
EC: volunteer work; a part-time job
will get letters of recommendation later (probably from one of my Communication and English professors )
I did earn some credits through concurrent enrollment in high school.
I have only completed my first semester and am planning on getting a 4.0 (fingers crossed) this spring. barely started school fall of 2018
BTW I’m planning on for transferring fall of 2020.
Do you guys think I have a chance at any of these colleges? I know some of these school are very selective and I don’t think I’ll get into most of them…
First question is the same as when you were applying the first time: what can you afford? For example, UC-D and NYU CoA is $70K+, and financial aid (non-existent for OOS at UC-D) is never generous at NYU, and is even scarcer for transfer students. Can you afford the CoA at these schools?
Second question is also related to when you were applying the first time: why did you choose the school you are currently attending? What about it- besides small classes, which are available at literally thousands of colleges & universities- attracted you? This matters: your next choice(s) will be stronger if you understand the gap between what you thought you wanted and the reality on the ground. The schools that you list are wildly different student experiences: what thread links them for you? If you are really unhappy, you will take that thread and find other places with those elements at a range of selectivity levels, not just cherry pick some fancy names.
On a related note I have genuinely never heard of any college or university - even full commuter colleges - that have no student activities / life beyond a weekly school dance. For that matter, I am not aware of colleges that still host weekly school dances: is there something particular about this college?
Third, your chances of successful transfer are likely to be higher a year from now- IF your plans to have a high GPA pan out. Your ACT (a real stumbling block for all of those schools now) will matter less/not at all (depends on the school) with 2 years of college marks under your belt. If you are serious about competitive schools, don’t neglect your ECs: you will want to be able to demonstrate involvement in the wider world.
ps, pretty sure Vandy doesn’t have a Comms major
@collegemom3717 I definitely will look into the tuition costs as that will be a critical factor in making my decision. I can not look past that at all lol. The current school I am at has “clubs” which are not at all active I have even gone on their website to check if they had meetings or events so I could see If I could join but they only meet in the fall, and there is not that many. Like three clubs that do stuff. They did have sports activities early in the fall but those only last one week and are not really a club. I know we have dances it’s strange, isn’t it? They sometimes mix it up and have a movie night.
-NYU has a cool study abroad program, a fantastic library, and sororities (something my current school doesn’t have and I’m interested in). A city with lots of history. They have one of the best film schools ( Obviously, not my major but I like being around creative people.)
-BU sororities, diverse, study abroad program. A city with lots of history.
I can’t list all the schools and why I want to go there, but I do have at least one reason why I am interested in them. I will take your advice though and try and narrow down the reasons why I want to go to these select schools.
I had gotten into the school I wanted to go to senior year, I plan to apply again as a transfer, I didn’t list it since I know what to expect. I had gotten overwhelmed and made a split decision. This is why this time I’m trying to do as much research as possible. I can not make the same mistake twice.
Yes, I will definitely work on those EC’S, and I was planning to start maybe a literature or current events club. I want to make the best of it while I am here. Like I had said I don’t hate the place it’s just not the college experience I had hoped for.
Also, Vanderbilt does have a comms major in their college of arts and science.
Thank you so much for the insight 
I will keep it in mind