does transferring from a lesser known school help you? (literally unknown)

GodricGryffindor
Sat, 14 Aug 2010 00:14:40 +0000

Yep, we’re in the same boat more or less, except I’ll be aiming for transfer for the Fall of 2011.

Here are my recommendations to you.

1.) Find a few clubs at the school that you’re really interested in. Contact the officers of that club NOW and establish a relationship with them. This will help you exponentially as they’ll call on you first if they need anything done. BUILD these EC’s and make them a great part of your application, rather than something in the background. Try to continue an EC you did in high school.

2.) I don’t know your SAT stats, and there’s varying opinions on CC about retaking. If you could, please post your stats, and — if you’re comfortable — post the school. Also, put up a list of schools here that you want to transfer to. These pieces of information, along with your high school stats, will help people on here give you more specific advice.

3.) ONLY take as many credits as you KNOW you will get an A in. And when I say “A”, I DON’T mean an A-. At this point, you NEED to focus on getting all A’s and hitting that 4.0. Don’t let up right now, because that’s the number one mistake that happens to Freshmen — they take it easy Fall semester and wake up to find that they’re in hot water. Get the books for your classes as soon as possible and start reviewing them. Begin pre-semester prep. If you want to transfer, especially a school like GWU, you need to prove that you’re a good student. Start now and I promise you it’ll be beneficial. So if you’re taking 18 credits and get all A’s and one B — was it worth it? In my opinion, it wasn’t. Take a course load you know you’ll beast at.

4.) Develop meaningful relationships with all of your professors, focusing also on ones that you feel would write you a good recommendation later on. You’ll need these down the line.

5.) Volunteer — This should be part of your EC list, but if you can join a group that specializes in a certain area of volunteering, it’ll definitely set you apart.

6.) Find your hook — find what sets you apart and work on it.

7.) Study Abroad — Not sure if your school offers this, but there’s organizations that offer these programs. Try to save up money and go on one of these sessions during a semester or in the summer. Figure out what works best.

8.) Alternative Spring Break — Don’t waste your break. Do something meaningful. Look this up if you haven’t heard about it before.

Good luck, kid.