Transfer Questions

Transfer Students
1

<p>Before asking my questions, here is a brief overview of my statistics/background.</p>

<p>Strengths:

  • Work/Volunteer (have worked/am working for a private, award-winning Web Development company, amongst many other of the places I’ve worked for)
  • International Experience (lived in all three areas of the economic spectrum, from the US - superpower, Korea - a developing nation, and Bolivia - a third world nation; helpful for essays)
  • Father works for State Department (worked a year in the American Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq; sympathy points)
  • 5 Ap’s (1 Sophomore, 1 Junior, 3 Senior)</p>

<p>Weaknesses:

  • SAT 1930 (690 Math, 670 Writing, 570 Verbal)
  • High School GPA (2.9 Freshman, 2.2 Sophomore, 3.6 Junior, 2.9 Senior)</p>

<p>Colleges I will go to in order of preference (1 being most preferrable):

  1. University of Washington (haven’t heard from them yet)
  2. Northeastern University (can’t afford it but want to go here badly)
  3. University of Arizona (most probable I will end up here)
  4. Kettering University
  5. George Mason University</p>

<h2>Major: Computer Science (with possible minor in Business)</h2>

<p>So on to my questions. With my unbalanced academic records, I was wondering what I could do (if it’s possible) to transfer to a top school. I am expecting to spend at least a year in college but no more than two. The schools I had in mind are (and I know I’m being overambitious):</p>

<li>Columbia FU - Engineering (Grandfather was a professor there, Uncle went to Columbia’s Business School)</li>
<li>Brown (no chance whatsoever but applying anyways)</li>
<li>University of Southern California (father went there)</li>
<li>University of California - LA</li>
<li>University of California - Berkeley</li>
</ol>

<p>Assuming the best, that I do in fact get a 3.7 + college GPA, would I still pose no chance because of my poor high school record? Or would the sudden transition from poor academic performance to a high academic performance make admissions officers look twice? Do I need to retake the SAT’s and take the SAT Subject Tests my freshman year in college? Do I need to go to school for at least two years instead of just one? Does California have a preference to neighboring states (Arizona)? Also, I looked at Michigan’s transferrable courses database and I couldn’t find U Arizona listed as one of the schools. What does this mean? Anyways, any advice/comments on the transfer procedures would be great because I am honestly ignorant of it, and probably of my own situation too (high school really sucked for me and I have some pretty good reasons).</p>

2

<p>Like another poster said, two years of great college work will make you a strong candidate for USC, and perhaps the UCs. Brown and Columbia are both possible, but with the competition they have, it will be very difficult.</p>

<p>I suggest you wait a semester or two, and see how the grades go (a 3.7 in engineering is going to be tough) and then decide your best prospects.</p>

<p>Best of luck :)</p>

3

<p>That was really good advice. Thanks.</p>

4

<p>You will have interesting essays for sure! Get a good college GPA (3.5 +) And you will have a fair shot (as good as anybody) at the schools you want to apply to. Make sure to higlight your international experience and join some kind of international student club next year (or perhaps some student organization that helps internationals adjust). Maybe if you dont get in as a transfer the first year you will get in the secong year. (apply twice: it shows interest AND they wont consider your high school record as much the next time around). Perhaps you could spend your summers doing volunteer work abroad or something. I really think if you play up your internatiol experience you will stand out and it will make a difference. That’s what makes you unique from all the other applicants so really let it shine on your application and continue to do stuff related to it so you have something to show when you try to transfer.</p>

5

<p>I don’t think it helps if your uncle went to Columbia’s business school. My uncle received his MBA from Wharton, and I couldn’t say that anywhere on my Penn application. But i guess legacy only concerns immediate family members such as your parents. Oh well. </p>

<p>Anyways, good luck with everything! And don’t think that you don’t have a chance at Brown. Anything is possible if you work hard.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the kind words.</p>