Transfer advice to top colleges?

Transfer Students
1

Okay so for the 3rd time, I hope this works.

I am currently a senior in high school and yes, I am already thinking of transferring.

I am planning on attending ASU in the fall and pursuing a software engineering degree and attending their Honor’s college as well as their Grand Challenge Scholars Program(GCSP). From what I’ve been reading thus far, and tell me if I’m wrong, but the GCSP is basically one of the Engineering school’s programs designed to encourage entrepreneurship, service, and undergraduate research.

Some of you are probably wondering “Why are you worried so early, you haven’t even experienced ASU yet.” Yes, I agree, but I’d rather start early then going too late. It’s just how I am and I hate seeing missed opportunities. With that being said, I am definitely going to ASU with an open mind, I just prefer having a backup plan. So yes, I am planning on transferring for my sophomore year.

Some colleges I am looking at now are Stanford, Columbia and the University of Toronto. I know the first two are long shots but they all really intergrade entrepreneurship in their students or at least their students are just naturally like that. I want to be surrounded by people like of that nature and also for other personal reasons. Since they’re long shots they’d take a lot of work and preparation, right? So maybe that’s why I’d like to start now…?

My stats aren’t the best but they’re not awful, while I’d like to know the stats I need to should be aiming for, I’d also like to know what I can do besides academics. Like extracurriculars, traveling, jobs, volunteering etc.

Basically what I am asking is how do I stand out. What can I do? Should I take up an odd hobby or just try to get as much research experience, or possibly entrepreneur experience? Or is any of this not necessary and I just need to focus on academics?

Advice is free range. (even on college options)

2

If you look up the transfer admission rate statistics for Stanford (~2%) and Columbia (~7%) you will see that it is very hard to transfer into either of these two schools. These numbers may even be lower for CS or Engineering as those are very sought after majors. Therefore, in order to be successful in transferring to these schools, you have to have an outstanding academic record in your first two years at ASU (it is perhaps even harder to transfer after a single year because your college academic record is only one semester long when you apply).

Not only do you need a stellar academic record, but you also need a compelling reason to transfer, such as a specific program that is only available at your target school.

3

I would recommend you to transfer after sophomore year so you have more opportunities. ECs at transfer to me is a little different, it focus more on your academic side.