I’m currently a student at WashU, applying to transfer to Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Penn, and MIT.
In my first semester, I earned a 4.0 (A+, A, A, A).
This semester hasn’t been going as well, but the real blow came in Calculus. The teacher seems to be on a power trip – the mean on last exam was a 70 and this time it’s a 50, yet she doesn’t curve. Unfortunately, after an abysmal result on the last test, I will now have a B as my midterm grade. Thus, my midterm GPA will likely be a 3.67 (A+, A, A-, A-, B). An A- GPA doesn’t sound too awful, but I find it likely that the presence of a B on my application is an absolutely awful look, and may put me out of contention at these schools.
If you are at Washington University in St Louis, then you are already at a top university.
Why do you want to transfer? Why do you specifically want to transfer to the schools that you listed? What does MIT have in common with Princeton and Penn that you can’t find at WUSTL?
The schools that you listed are very difficult to transfer into. You need to have stellar grades, but just as important you need to have a compelling reason to transfer.
I have good applications (at least I think I do). I came up with reasons that I find convincing. However, I am worried this grade will tank my app. Is that the case?
No, I don’t think it will hurt that bad. Understand that these colleges don’t just look at your GPA, rather your entire transcript. They will notice that you got straight A’s last semester and virtually this semester as well. Plus, you are at a top university, so they know that your classes are challenging. I think you are still in good shape so don’t worry too much about it
Personally, I believe this may take a toll in your application knowing that these colleges have very low acceptance rates and are looking for the most qualified candidates. I agree with your intent to transfer, however if you are a sophomore transfer student then your high schools grades will also matter heavily. I had a friend who transferred into Duke and he also had a similar situation but got his midterm grade to an A before his application was due and was very determined to do so as he also felt it may hinder your chances. Take my advice with a grain of salt but it is just something to think about.
