Transfer from USNA to top 25 schools - chaces?

Transfer Students
1

I am currently a 4/C (freshman) midshipman at the United States Naval Academy. I love USNA but I’m not completely sure if I am the right fit for military life, and the Naval Academy does not offer as many selections in majors and academic opportunities/challenges as much as I would prefer. Please feel free to comment on what my chances are.

I am considering applying to Duke, Stanford, University of Virginia, Carnegie Mellon, and UPenn. I intend to be a Computer Science major. I currently have a 4.0 at USNA but my high school was really competitive so my grades weren’t that great.

High School
GPA: 4.16 (W), around 3.75 (UW)
APs: Biology (4) , Chemistry (5), BC (5), Lang (4), Gov (4), Physics M (4), Physics E (2), CS (4), Macro (3), Micro (3), US History (4)
ACT: 35 Composite

ECs:

  • Non-profit founder for girls in STEM
  • SGA
  • field hockey (varsity - 2 years, club - 1 year)
  • President for school hospitality/welcoming visitors type organization
  • Russian Honor Society (president, co-historian)
  • Various committees (honor, school improvement, human relations)
  • Relay for Life (committee chairs - 3 years)
  • Girls State
  • Neuroscience Research
    Work:
  • Intern for Russian summer camp
  • Congressional intern for House Rep
  • Data & medical image processing intern - UChicago Radiology Dept & neuroscientist
    Awards:
  • NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing - National Runner Up
  • National Russian Scholar Laureate, Russian Essay & Speaking Festival Medals
  • President’s Volunteer Service Medal
  • AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Commended Scholar

College
QPR: 4.0
Classes:
U. S. GOVERNMENT AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT (3)
RHETORIC AND INTRO TO LITERATURE I (3)
4/C BOXING/WRESTLING (0)
MODERN CHEMISTRY (4) (this is Chem 2)
CYBER SECURITY I (3)
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS (4)
Credits: 19

Next semester classes:
ADVANCED RUSSIAN WITH CIVILIZATION READINGS II (3)
RHETORIC AND INTRO TO LIT II (3)
AMERICAN NAVAL HISTORY (3)
PREPARING TO LEAD (2)
FUNDAMENTALS OF SEAMANSHIP (2)
4/C SWIMMING (0)
GENERAL PHYSICS I (4)
Credits: 17

ECs:

  • Rugby
  • Field hockey
  • Information Warfare group
  • Engineering societies
  • Part of a CubeSat development team

Other
Race: Asian
Gender: Female
HS: Top 10 public high school in the nation (I was in the middle third of class; it will probably affect me a lot)
Financial aid: will need a lot

2

If when you were in HS, you had the profile for admission at the USNA, then you shouldn’t worry about your HS stats. The USNA is not an easy place to get into.

You are a strong enough applicant to make the places on your current list possible, so go ahead and apply. But think long and hard about your back-up plan. If you aren’t admitted, or if you are but the aid packages aren’t good enough, how do you feel about staying at the USNA? Are there any possibly affordable safety schools out there for you?

3

@happymomof1 I think there’s a chance I may stay at USNA - I still have 1 more year until I have to sign my life away (no commitment until the first day of your junior year). I haven’t decided I want to transfer yet; I’m still thinking things over. I’m just applying so that I have a plan B if I want to leave. Thank you for your input though!

4

As happymom wrote, having been selected to go to the USNA, you would be competitive for any of those schools. There reaches a point where no one can guess if you might get in or not, but we can tell you you are competitive. If your HS was in the top 10 publics , these schools will all get that and it wont work against you. Keep up your grades at Navy (hope you survived exam week!) and good luck whichever path you choose. (Full disclosure-we are USNA sponsor family, including to two Firsties! :wink: )

5

@dowzerw Thank you so much! We love our sponsors :slight_smile:

6

We love our mids! We were there today cheering on our Firstie on the bball team and return tomorrow to hear one of our plebes sing with the Gospel Choir.

I hope your experience continues to be a positive one; just remember you are in the drivers seat and should make whichever decision is best for you.