This is solely hypothetical - just curious: would someone have a good chance at being accepted as a transfer coming from Princeton? I’ve only see transfers used to “upgrade” schools, but I’ve never seen a transfer like this before, which got me thinking…
Sorry misread the question
No worries
Sorry, its getting pretty late here
I think the red flag for Princeton admissions is that something is wrong w u for being dissatisfied w an excellent school like Duke.
Transfers to most top schools are severely limited in numbers, and are based on filling available seats. The good news is that if you were academically and holistically qualified to get into Princeton in the first place that you will have the basic qualifications for Duke. But you will still need to show that you have done well at Princeton, and that you have specific and valid reasons for wanting to transfer. Being unhappy at Princeton or feeling that it isn’t the best environment for you isn’t enough.
Why exactly do you want to transfer?
“I think the red flag for Princeton admissions is that something is wrong w u for being dissatisfied w an excellent school like Duke.”
He’s not transferring from Duke to Princeton (it’s not even possible since Princeton doesn’t take transfers). OP is referring to gaining admission to Duke from P’ton. And besides, I doubt they base admission in the way that you stated.
I second @renaissancedad argument but OP what makes you think transferring to Duke is a downgrade, as you clearly implied? I hope you’e not basing it off USNWR.
I would consider them peer programs, though very different in personality. That won’t help for transfer purposes - I doubt anyone in Duke admissions is going to jump at the idea of getting a Princeton transfer. The most compelling reason would be a specific program or resource that is only available at Duke.
Also, I assume you are a rising sophomore at Princeton, so you would only have 2 years at Duke. What major are you considering?
@Jwest22 I consider it an equivalent transfer - not a downgrade at all.
“The most compelling reason would be a specific program or resource that is only available at Duke.”
Bingo! This is the X-factor for any transfer admittee to Duke and I wish more people knew this.
@Jwest22, that’s one reason I think that transferring as a sophomore vs. transferring as a freshman may make a difference. It’s much harder to take advantage of some of the different things that are available at Duke vs. Princeton coming in as a junior. Things that I can think of that would be harder to utilize as an incoming Junior:
- Multiple majors/minors/certificates and Program II.
- DukeEngage. Possible, but there will be ony one possible summer.
- Away or international semester programs. If you are going to have only 4 semesters at Duke, you probably don't want to spend time away. This might also include programs such as the Duke Marine Lab. Not impossible, but harder to justify.
That’s not to say that there aren’t plenty of unique resources at Duke. But I would think that an incoming junior should have a detailed plan in order to hit the ground running and maximize use of these resources. That might include possible research labs or centers, identification of unique programs of interest, possible mentors, etc. I would also think it would be useful to have some idea of how coursework done in the first 2 years would relate to the proposed program of study. The first year+ at most schools is for exploration, but that’s not available in this case.
I think where a lot of qualified potential transfer applicants fail is not having a specific plan along these lines. Why give a precious seat to someone who is going to come in without a plan, and limited time to figure one out?
@varietybooth, I would love to hear your reasons for transferring and what there is specific about Duke that appeals to you, and some of your proposed ideas in the areas outlined above. Coming up with such a plan would significantly improve your chances of success, in my opinion.
@renaissancedad - I initially stated that this was solely hypothetical because I’m only a rising freshman in college. I don’t want to give you the impression that I’m going into Princeton with the mindset of transferring; rather, I do not know what academically suits me. For example, Princeton’s operations research/financial engineering is a unique program that I plan on pursuing. I also love the emphasis on independent work (ie. the senior thesis/engineering research project). However, I liked the academic freedom at Duke (eg. in my case, Princeton does not offer certificates/minors in chemistry). The idea of creating an interdisciplinary major also interests me. I also think that Duke has some really neat facilities like the Marine Lab and the Home Depot Smart House (sustainability and environmental science is another interest of mine). It’s just too early to tell what suits me, and I know that this post was premature (an understatement). I’m just curious to see if having a compelling, unique reason/study plan combined with a successful freshman year at P’ton would make tranferring to Duke reasonable option (if I find that it suits me more as a student). I don’t know if the transfer process differs from the regular admission process - are there such things as reach, targets, and fallbacks when transferring?
I hope I didn’t come across as ungrateful for my spot at Princeton (you should have seen me when I read the acceptance online), but I want to study at the place that’s most fitting for me. Again, I’m going into Princeton with the mindset of graduating from Princeton; this is in the event that I find myself crippling my interests as a student. Sorry for the unorganized wall of text - I never write this much.
As a hypothetical, assuming you did well at Princeton and that you had specific and cogent reasons for transferring to Duke, then I think you would be a strong candidate. But I’m a bit alarmed at the idea that you will be starting at Princeton shortly and are even thinking about transferring.
Did you apply to Duke last year? Did you get in, and if so, why did you choose Princeton? If not, what put Duke so strongly on your radar?
All the things you listed are good reasons why Duke might be a better place for you than Princeton. Princeton is superb, but rather traditional. Duke is more interdisciplinary, socially engaged, and innovative, to my mind. I never applied to either school, so I don’t have inside knowledge like @Jwest22 or others, but it would be an easy choice for me, personally. But you’re already at Princeton, so I’d definitely give it your best shot.
@renaissancedad - I know how these boards get swamped closer to application deadlines, so I thought this topic would get more attention (from more experienced users) now. I completely understand why you are slightly alarmed and don’t blame you (if I told anyone I personally knew, they would think I was insane). Just to reiterate, I’m very excited about Princeton - the two schools are just different academically, as you stated. In general, it’s difficult for me to determine if something suits me until I actually experience it, if that makes sense - expectations versus reality. I really am going into Princeton with full effort and enthusiasm.
I was rejected from Duke last year. I’ve had only positive experiences with the school, even down to my alumni interview. It just has a great energy about it - seems like a lively place in general. As someone with a wide variety of interests, the academic freedom and create-your-own major were huge pluses. I also liked other aspects such as the social life (might have to speak with current students on that one) and location, but those aren’t reasons to transfer.
Princeton was the only “top 20” school to which I was admitted. Of the other “prestigious” schools I applied to, I liked components of each - I did not have a top choice; they were all my top choice. I hate calling schools elite/using ratings, but it’s the most efficient way to refer to that group of universities.
There’s a great chance that I’ll love Princeton, but I wanted to informally address this concern in the event that it does not work out. I just like having alternate options (this is a more extreme case, but that’s just how I am).
That’s very helpful. Thank you for clarifying.
If I were you I would go to Princeton with an open mind and see if you can make it work for you. Tens of thousands of students would love to be in your shoes. If you do not believe it is right for you and that Duke is still the best fit because of some of the specific programs and attributes that you mention, then I would apply for transfer and make ithat clear in your application. Admission to Princeton and doing well there can only improve your chances, and showing renewed commitment to Duke for specific reasons and not out of any negative experience at Princeton is by far your most likely ticket to success. Beyond that I’ll defer to the many people on the Duke forum who know much more about Duke than I do.
@varietybooth, did you apply to Pratt or Trinity last year, and to which one would you apply if you did try to transfer?
@renaissancedad Thank you for understanding. I am beyond fortunate to have the opportunity to study at Princeton, and I honestly do hope that it’s right for me.
I applied to Pratt. It would seem to be a no-brainer to go engineering again, but, thinking about it now, it’s difficult to say. I feel that I would utilize Duke’s academic freedom far more at Trinity by pursuing Program II or attaining a combination of majors/minors/certificates (because an engineering major could be too demanding). I don’t know if I could justify transfering to Pratt. It sounds like I should try transfering if I find that I do not like engineering.
That’s pretty much what I was wondering. Not that Pratt’s not flexible as engineering schools go, but a lot of what you mentioned seemed like it fit more into Trinity (environmental, chemistry, Duke Marine Lab, interdisciplinary / Program II, etc.). That’s something to think about if you decide to proceed with this.
@renaissancedad For me, the big draw to engineering was having versatility in careers and post-undergraduate schools, while allowing me to pursue interests in science and math. I could likely achieve a similar setup at Trinity, but I’m not going to get too caught up in thinking “what if.” I only made this thread to see if transferring to Duke is even a viable option. Though, you did help me reconsider my academic goals. Please do not worry – I’m still going to Princeton with the same enthusiasm I had on March 31st. It’d be both foolish and unproductive if I was not. It’s Princeton…how could I not be excited?
If you have a decent GPA and a compelling reason to transfer, you will be admitted. One of my acquaintances transferred to Duke from MIT and he never regretted his decision.