Transfer Chances for JHU, WashU, and Vanderbilt

Transfer Students
1

GPA: 3.887/4.0
SAT: 1390 (640 R/W and 750 M), 23/24 on Essay section
SAT II: Math II (770) and Biology M (730)
APs Taken: Human Geography, World History, European History, Spanish 4, U.S. History, Biology, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Government, Macroeconomics, BC Calculus, Statistics, Chemistry, and Physics 1-2
ECs and Major Accomplishments:

  1. State Level Science Research Presentation- Honorable Mention (2x) and various special awards (Abstracts of my research papers have been submitted to the universities)
  2. Over 200 hours of research in university lab
  3. Martial Arts (current black belt and instructor)
  4. President of Junior Worlds Affairs Council (Significant funding raised for the purpose of providing greater clean water access in 3rd world countries)
  5. AIME Qualifier with 126.5 AMC 12 Score (Distinguished Honor Roll) & AIME score of 7
  6. National Level Award in Spanish Proficiency
    Teacher Recs:
    9/10 and 10/10 expectation (very close relationship and were very pleased to write a rec letter for me)
    College Essays:
    9/10 to 10/10
    Major: Neuroscience
    I plan on doing the premedical track.
    Current College: University of Texas at Dallas

Areas of Improvement between high school and college:

  1. Improved grades (A+ in rigorous course load)
  2. More than 300 hours of research experience in a highly selective program in university (<10% acceptance rate)

Would it be more practical for me to apply as a sophomore or as a junior?
Should I retake the SAT? Note: JHU does not require nor recommends SAT/ACT scores for transfer admission
How likely are my chances with a 4.0 gpa?

Note: Vanderbilt University has a transfer acceptance rate close to 30% vs freshman acceptance rate of 10.7%

Are there any other highly selective universities where I may have a better chance of admission?

2

SAT is low. Retake or try the ACT. Other than that, looks good.

3

SAT is fine - was admitted with 730M 630V to Vandy along with several higher ranked. Write good essays, and more importantly having killer ECs will get you into most elites.

4

Vandy is very score heavy. Yes, people get in with lower scores, but to make sure you’re as competitive as possible, I would retake the SAT or try the ACT.

5

If you transfer as a Junior, the tests you took in High School are more or less irrelevant.

6

Update: I will be getting published in Nature Methods by December or January as 1st author. How much will this help me, considering my subpar SAT score. Also, I know this is a very high reach but what are my chances for Columbia university?

7

Go for UPenn. Given your Pre-Medical track UPenn has a lot more going for biomedical research and biomedical academics in general. Will also allow you an easier track to getting into their medical school, which typically ranks in the top 5 of the country.

8

I would stay where you are or transfer up not as far. Med schools will take you with a 3.9 from where ever versus a low GPA from a T30. I would just start studying for the MCAT, because if you can get the score plus your GPA you are in.

9

It might be a good idea to transfer up somewhat, at least Texas Austin. It is important though to show at least a 3.6 or so GPA. I would not go to Hopkins, which doesn’t take many premed transfers anyway. Probably better not to chance any of the schools you mentioned, and you might not get into them anyway.