Stanford Transfer Intent - Please read!

Colleges & Universities Stanford University
1

<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>I’m currently a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame with the intent on transferring. Although I have learned a lot and have made quite a bit of friends, I think that Notre Dame is the exact opposite of where I should be right now.</p>

<p>My only concern to transferring to Stanford is my GPA/SAT Score. Stanford would probably be the only place I would transfer, but I am definitely willing to look into other places if you guys have any recommendations.</p>

<p>Without further delay, here is my current situation:</p>

<p>IT Management/Computer Science Major at Notre Dame (Class of 2013)
GPA: 3.4
SAT: 2080 (from high school, 780 math, 730 writing, 670 CR)
Extracurriculars: Directed and produced a huge multicultural show (biggest on campus with over 150 performers and 1000 viewers). Also had some other leadership/research positions.
Recommendations: I think they’re pretty good, but not the best ever.</p>

<p>Essay/Intent: I think this is definitely the reason that’s telling me to apply. I literally think about how I could be at Stanford or a similar California everyday, since I really don’t like my time at Notre Dame. I’ll break it down to several categories:</p>

<p>Future - I ultimately want to start my own business and become an entrepreneur in silicon valley. I had the fortune of attending some conferences in silicon valley this past summer and it was absolutely amazing. After I graduate, I also want to work in the silicon valley area and be heavily involved in technology (hopefully as a consultant). At stanford, I’ll be able to concentrate heavily on attending more of these conferences and having more hands-on knowledge of my future. </p>

<p>Academic - The computer science department (although very good) is VERY small, and I feel that the concept of “innovation” is practically nonexistent here. I’m also a business major in the business college, but all the courses are practically useless (to the point that I’m overloading 20 credits and doing practically no work for my business courses and all of my work for my engineering courses). At stanford, I can major in Econ as well as take a lot of the computer science courses that I want to take. I’m also interested in cognitive science research, which is nonexistent here. </p>

<p>Social - I feel that I have some great friends here, but I feel out of place. Notre Dame has been named one of the worst colleges for alternative lifestyles, and quite frankly a lot of what I like to do doesn’t fit the interests of many people here. I love diversity (hence why I decided to direct the multicultural show) as well as talking to a lot of interesting people, and Stanford seems to be the center of diversity while Notre Dame… eh I’d rather not go into it. Also, the intellectual life here is VERY disappointing. </p>

<p>Weather/Environment - Quite frankly, my mood is influenced by the weather and “vibe” of the students everyday. Well, at Notre Dame, it’s cloudy everyday and when I go to class, most of the students just want to get out of class and go have fun (which is very frustrating). </p>

<p>Financially - I dont know if I should mention this in the application, but my parents are retired, and can barely pay for my college (which is why I’m planning on taking out a lot of loans). However, it shouldn’t be too much of an issue right now.</p>

<p>Theres so many other factors why I would want to transfer, and I really could write on and on. Thus, I think my essay will be one of the biggest strengths in my application.</p>

<p>I also applied to stanford in High school and got waitlisted. I think one of the biggest reasons I didn’t get rejected was I had a solid arts supplement (which I still don’t know I can use) and some good extracurriculars. </p>

<p>Please give me your honest opinions on what I should do, as time is ticking fast and I still don’t know what to do. If you recommend other schools to transfer to, please say so!</p>

<p>P.S. About the arts supplement - if I decide to take the small chance and go for it, do you think that I should submit this? I havent played my instrument since 1st semester freshman year, but I would probably be interested in playing in the band or doing a couple of solo performances. I feel that it might be able to counteract my GPA, but it’s been a long time.</p>

2

<p>I have no knowledge within the transfer system, but to give you best of luck</p>

<p>But, when it comes to the art supplement (something I noticed and know about) I personally believe that if it will give the school a more person view of you / you are very proficient in the instrument, you should submit it. If you are subpar (not competitive), I advise not to, because the admissions office have so many applications, and don’t like it if they feel that it wasn’t worth their time o: (just an opinion, since nobody posted yet)</p>

3

<p>you need to realize that Transfer acceptances into tip-top schools are even harder to achieve than acceptance as a Freshman. There are usually only about 20-40 transfer students accepted at Stanford each year, [the transfer acceptance rate is usually less than a 1%] and with your less than stellar GPA, and SAT’s, you don’t have a chance at Stanford, sorry. Colleges dont care about activities you did in HS or college that are outside your declared major, so your art supplement will not help you. You need to widen your search a lot. You could try to transfer to USC, which has a strong UG business school[ Marshall] and a Computer science/ engineering program[Vertibi] USC has a very diverse [ non-white] student population.
USC does accept about 1000 transfer students each year, so you chances of acceptance there are hundreds of times better.</p>

4

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How do you know this?</p>