Ivy Chance

Transfer Students
1

<p>Phi Alpha Mu Member</p>

<p>Phi Theta Kappa Member</p>

<p>President’s List (4.0) 2/3 semesters</p>

<p>Astronomy Club: Secretary </p>

<p>EOPS Honors Club: Historian </p>

<p>Model United Nations: Fiscal Affairs Manager. Gavel winner</p>

<p>Habitat for Humanity: Spring 09 President</p>

<p>Student Senator: Wrote and implemented a textbook rental program. Organizing a charity event for Project Africa that is projected to raise 6000-10000.</p>

<p>Shared Governance Committees: I serve as the student’s voice in 3 shared governance committees on campus: curriculum committee, outreach & recruitment, and student services planning council</p>

<p>I’m financially independent and work 30hr+ a week as a waitress</p>

<p>Nontraditional student. Took 3 years off after high school cause I wasn’t allowed to go to college.</p>

<p>I’ve completed the occ honors program (18 honors units). </p>

<p>Spring 08: 15 units, 4.0.
Summer 08: 14 units, 3.75. (3 As, 1B)
Fall 08: 16 units, 4.0. (12 honors units)
Total GPA: 3.93</p>

<p>I’m applying to: Amherst College, Columbia GS, Cornell University, Georgetown University, Middlebury College, Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UC Los Angeles, and University of Pennsylvania</p>

<p>Some things that might make me stand out:</p>

<p>I completed 60 units in one year, 14 units over the summer</p>

<p>I’m an URM, Arab American Female. </p>

<p>I left home in order to pursue my education. My parents don’t believe in education for women. I’m the first female in my family who graduated from high school.</p>

<p>HS:
3.86 GPA
Public School with 2 warnings from No Child Left Behind
Top 10% of my class even though I missed 7th through 9th grade</p>

<p>My Recs should be great, including the simple Dean’s evaluation</p>

<p>My SATs… um, haven’t taken them, but I doubt I’ll do well. Maybe 600-650 on each section. I’m taking it in the end of Jan</p>

<p>Thanks in advance to anyone who responds</p>

2

<p>OCC in the House!</p>

<p>Um, well, I know a student from OCC who just got into Columbia GS.
I don’t think he was in the Honors Program. His GPA was probably comparable to yours.
He got in for Spring 09, though I am not sure if that is more or less competitive than Fall (I am going to guess more due to lack of space, but I could be wrong.)
Plus, i know that OCC has that special alliance with Columbia–which could def. help.</p>

<p>Anyway, I can’t really give you any more substantial information or projections but you seem pretty darn solid. In fact, i applaud you for all of your accomplishments.</p>

<p>You make my OCC >> University apps look dismal. kudos and bonne chance.</p>

3

<p>OCC? Awesome! Where you applying to?</p>

4

<p>what school do you go to? really make sure you look into columbia gs to make sure its right for you</p>

5

<p>Yes, OCC, Honors Program as well.</p>

<p>I am applying to UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, UCSB, and…</p>

<p>the longshots: Cornell and Johns Hopkins</p>

<p>I really (sort of) want to apply to Columbia GS as well, but I haven’t taken the SATs yet either, and the deadline to register is tomorrow.</p>

<p>i need to make my decision in the morning, I just don’t really know if I will have time to study for the SATs…and I really don’t want to take them just to get a really mediocre score.</p>

<p>My major is International relations. GPA 3.75. ECs deplorable compared to you.</p>

6

<p>Wow, you have really good stats, but you know how it is with these top schools - admissions is a crapshoot. I would def apply if I was you, cause your gpa is so high, and you’re a more unique candidate because of your life story.</p>

<p>Also, you’re not a URM. south asian/middle eastern is considered “white” by colleges and the U.S Census bureau, and we are not underrepresented at all…we’re actually one of the most successful minorities. URM is generally black/latino/amerindian. Anyway, good luck with all these schools! :slight_smile: they’re all selective but I’m sure you’ll get into a couple</p>

7

<p>Your story is interesting! I would add schools like Smith and Mt. Holyoke that would love your story, happily accept SAT’s in the 600’s and be generous with aid.</p>

8

<p>I guess it’s weird to think I’m not an URM, but I’m technically “white”. Doesn’t matter, I guess.</p>

<p>I’m also applying to Smith and Mt. Holyoke, but I assumed my chances are higher to get into those college because they’re all girls schools.</p>

<p>My story may be interesting, but the college application doesn’t ask for a personal statement. It only asks about an EC and why I’m transferring.</p>

9

<p>I think your personal story will fit well in the ‘why I’m transferring’ essay.</p>

10

<p>If you are applying to UCs, the most important question is, where do you live?</p>

11

<p>Is where you live a huge factor? I’m a CA resident, but, honestly, my heart isn’t in the UC system. I’m applying cause they’re great schools that I have a shot at, but I’d much rather be at an east coast school. I don’t think anyone likes the idea of being in one place forever. I’ve been in CA for 21 years, and I haven’t seen much of the US. The idea of NY, MA, CT, etc excites me. Plus, a lot of the Ivy and LAC are there.</p>

12

<p>Impressive. Maybe you should consider applying also to USC and Yale, to diversify your list a little more. Best of luck. :)</p>

13

<p>And also, for the UC system, yes being a CA resident plays a huge role as we take precedence over everyone else.</p>

14

<p>I would definitely apply to GS if I were you. I think you would be an excellent candidate. For GS don’t worry about the SATs, just schedule to take the GSAE instead. Some people get the idea that GS is like some continuing education school. It is not (we already have another school of continuing education). If you come to CUGS you will a) earn the same columbia degree had you gone straight from high school b) be fully integrated with the columbia college/SEAS community through classes and recruiting opportunities. c) be expected to complete the same requirements to graduate as students in the other undergrad colleges. </p>

<p>If you have any questions about applying to CU feel free to PM me!</p>

15

<p>Pending good essays, you’re probably in at GS. I transferred to GS this year from Pasadena City College.</p>

<p>I’m also applying to Stanford and Amherst-- GS is too expensive. Best of luck to you.</p>

16

<p>GS is too expensive? That’s what confused me. I know CU is need blind but maybe not CU GS. Personally, I can’t afford college, but I’m kinda hoping financial aid at these need blind schools will help out.</p>

17

<p>Then I would suggest saving yourself the application fee, and not applying to GS. Financial aid here is beyond abysmal. GS has merit based financial aid, that I believe maxes out around $10,000 per year. With a cost of attendance north of $60,000 per year, you would be taking ~$50,000 in loans annually.</p>

<p>I originally thought taking the loans would be worthwhile, but I have since changed my mind.</p>

18

<p>Thanks for the info, es four. That’s pretty disappointing. I really loved the idea of going to Columbia but having $100k worth of debt before law school just isn’t smart. I’m going to apply anyway because I have a fee waiver, but financial aid is a real deal breaker.</p>

<p>I hear Cornell is a very transfer friendly school, is that true? Says about 600 get in out of a pool of 2000. I saw a campus tour on theu.com, and Cornell is beautiful!</p>

19

<p>I hear you. I made an irresponsible decision and overlooked the implications of taking out the loans. After my first statement from Sallie Mae I decided it was time to transfer. </p>

<p>Those transfer numbers for Cornell sound generous. I considered applying to Cornell, but I think I want a smaller school.</p>

20

<p>Not so much Cornell, but their college ILR (industrial labor relations) is notorious for transferring in boatloads of students. With Engineering and Art+Sci, transfer admission is much more picky. I never knew why.</p>