Long story short, my parents forced me to stay local so I’ve been stuck as a freshman in a college where I don’t feel challenged.
I’m currently a Polisci major at Pace University, and I’m not loving it. The courses feel repetitive and I don’t feel proud for my 'accomplishments. ’ My goal would be to go to a more academically rigorous school where people don’t simply shy out on discussions because they disagree…
Current GPA as of first semester: 3.85
I also became a member of the school’s honor society, that requires an entry gpa of 3.5+ and later maintaining a 3.79+.
I have also formed a good relationship with my professors, so a letter of recommendation should be possible.
I also have transfer credits from my high school, that were processed through Mercy College. Both courses are A’s.
High school:
I didn’t do too hot, partially because of very serious familial issues, that resulted in having me transfer high schools.
GPA: 3.4
I took AP Macro, AP Gov, in addition to an AP American History course (don’t remember the exact course name)
SAT: 1170 (I know, it’s bad) I’m considering retaking it.
I have luckily improved my GPA a bunch since then.
Do I have a shot at successfully transferring to these schools? (As a sophomore)
American University
Liberty University
Binghamton University
Fordham University
Bowdoin University
Might as well try for them as long as they’re affordable and see where you end up. However, you’re only in your second semester so your classes will get more challenging and people will start discussing more as time goes on. So that’s why I think you should try for where you want to go, knowing where you are probably isn’t so bad.
One of those schools is not like the others. Please look closely at your list. All on your list are fairly progressive, open, liberal atmospheres except for one. Liberty is founded by Jerry Falwell – the arch conservative – and has been known to escort “liberal” speakers off of their campus. Jerry Falwell Jr. is the current president and he’s an outspoken voice for ultra conservative ideology so much so that several students turned in their diplomas in protest. They offer classes like “Creation studies 101” and “Evangelical studies.” That may suit you, and it does for many people. I’m not criticizing it, but it stands in stark contrast to your other school choices. Just be sure of what you’re getting into.
Maybe look at all of your school choices to see if you might have overlooked one or two things like that.
Also: can you afford a private college? To find out, try looking up your colleges on College Navigator. Click on the “net price” tab and see an approximate bill. Also, check collegedata website for the average debt burden for each school’s graduates.
OP: You need choices. Consider all BIG 10 schools except Michigan & Northwestern (need 1500 SAT or close to it). You will be surprised at the beauty & breadth of options at Indiana, Iowa, Wisc., Maryland, Penn State, etc.
Also, apply to all SUNY schools that are of interest to you.
I would agree that my courses during freshman year should be easy, but right now I’m technically taking courses where the majority of the class consists of juniors and seniors of the same major. (Credits from high school put me ahead in terms of what I’m allowed to take) With this in mind, I was hoping that my course selection would appear more impressive.
I’m basing on two different criteria, “The best future investment” vs. “My actual enjoyment and will to live”
I understand a lot of these schools are absolute wishful thinking.
I really don’t want to stay another year here, but transferring to another local college just to get away seems rude. @collegemom3717
@collegemom3717
Sorry if I wasn’t clear.
I meant it as a response to waiting one more year to transfer, as I honestly really would like to transfer out asap. (No matter what I’m simply not staying at this school.)
Though, I would like to have this first transfer be my last, therefore I’d like to apply to a ‘permanent’ school. (Not switch out of desperation, then transfer to my final choice afterwards.)
I didn’t mean to confuse you, I should have been more clear sorry!
My point was that your HS GPA & SAT make several of the schools you listed improbable, and that 2 years of college would outweigh the HS stuff. If you simply can’t stay where you are, then (imo) you need to at least add some other colleges. The usual rule of thumb is that if you wouldn’t get in on your HS stats you probably won’t get in as a frosh transfer.
@Ahri999 I completely sympathize with where you’re at right now.
As of now I think you can get into these schools from your list –
American University
Liberty University
Binghamton University
Fordham University
Maybe not Bowdoin College.
Two issues though, and I’m saying this with as much gentleness as I can–
Will you be happy at your target schools? if you’re miserable now, then please research your target schools carefully. It seems that Purchase is lightyears away from Liberty in terms of culture. You might not be happy at LIberty but for opposite reasons – just as narrow in focus and group-think, but conservative. Just a thought.
Can you pay for your target schools? American and Fodham might be expensive. Binghamton about the same price as Purchase.
An earlier poster suggested Bates. If you like Bowdoin, you might like Bates. Bates is in the same state as Bowdoin, has excellent academics, and has amazing FA. They might really like you. You might really like them.
Are you female? If so, they see about the several excellent women’s colleges. They tend to have FA for their students: Barnard, Wellesley, Mt. Holyoke, Smith, Bryn Mawr. Several of these schools are part of consortia – meaning that you can freely cross register at many other colleges and universities. You would get to have both a small college and a big college/ university with acceptance to any one school.
Coed schools with great FA, excellent academics that you might want to consider in
Haverford (in a consortium with Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore, UPenn)
Colgate – excellent FA
Hamilton – excellent FA
University of Rochester --arty, no core classes, small city, excellent academics
Villanova – less good FA but doable.
Temple U in Philly
Boston U – less good FA
Brandeis
Tufts – excellent FA
Colby – excellent FA
Hobart and William Smith — FA maybe no quite as good here.
Looking as far south as Virginia maybe look at
University of Richmond – excellent FA
St. Johns College (annapolis and Santa fe) – check FA here though, unsure of how much FA it gives
Davidson is further south but promising – excellent FA
If @collegemom3717 has the right assessment, that your target schools take higher-stats than you currently have – it’s not a given, but if that’s the case – then maybe look at these lower-stats schools that still offer great educations and decent FA –
Lower-stats schools with decent FA
Wheaton in Mass–nice school in many ways
Earlham
Muhlenberg in PA – happy school – that’s my impression. Happy students, nice school.
Knox in Illinois
Lake Forest near Chicago
Beloit – another happy school! And cheap compared with many private schools. Fly to Chicago and take a bus directly there – check their website for more info
The Sage Colleges – unclear what their FA is
Dickinson
Wooster
Denison
Ohio Wesleyan
If you’re female, then check Simmons; Russell Sage; Hollins, Sweet Briar, Mills in California
OP has an SAT of 1170 & a 3.4 HS GPA / 3.85 1st semester college and doesn’t need FA
American: 66% GPA 3.5+ / bottom 25% SAT = < 1230 / 26% admit rate overall
Fordham: 72% GPA 3.5+ / bottom 25% SAT = < 1260 / 48% admit rate overall
Bowdoin: no GPA given, but 80% in 10% of class / bottom 25% SAT= < 1370 (but test optional, so not necessarily a good indicator) / 15% admit rate overall
Liberty: 58% GPA 3.5+ / bottom 25% SAT = < 1030 / 28% admit rate overall
Binghamton: 81% GPA 3.5+ / bottom 25% SAT = < 1290 / 41% admit rate overall
If there is reason to think that re-sitting the SAT would make a material difference in the score that could be helpful- if there is time before applications are due.
