<p>I currently attend a small, but very noncompetitive school in my home state. To give you an idea, the acceptance rate is 97% and the average admitted student had an 18 ACT score. </p>
<p>I recently transferred there from a school with a similar acceptance rate, but a bit higher ranked, and much larger, however due to some severe family emergencies, my first semester there, I had to withdraw from all my classes with a medical withdrawal. The second semester, I took off of school. Now I’m at the small, 97% acceptance rate school (that is also half vocational). </p>
<p>So, here’s my question, assuming I get the high GPA I should, and am active in activities, will I have a chance to make it as a transfer student into a first tier college, perhaps even an Ivy? </p>
<p>My other impacting factors is my high school transcripts weren’t the best either, since during that time I was also dealing with the severe extenuating circumstances. </p>
<p>However, by nineteen, I’ve already been hired by my state senate for an internship in my major, and by my State Department of Education for a job with my major. </p>
<p>So, with all those details set out, I have to ask, is it possible to transfer from a school that holds almost a community college status, to an Ivy league or similiar?</p>
<p>Of course it’s possible.</p>
<p>However, that is to say it’s very difficult. Not just for you–but really for anyone. These schools tend to have high retention rates (freshman choosing to stay at that institution) and thus, don’t have a lot of spots available for transfers. Bear in mind, that while you may be doing well and perhaps be a “top students” at your current institution, you will be competing with students from many other top institutions looking to transfer, from say UChicago to Columbia. Often times, students who were competitive the first time around, but couldn’t be offered a position.</p>
<p>That’s not to say you can’t get admission from your less selective school, but you will be competing with a highly competitive applicant pool for a very limited number of spots. </p>
<p>That’s not to discourage you. If you feel you are a competitive applicant, and have a reasonable reason to want to attend a school (besides its prestige as a “top” school), I say go for it.</p>
<p>Also, I’m curious as to what your idea of “top” schools are. Many states have public schools that are arguably as good as some “top” schools. These schools are often much more easy to enter as a transfer student than say a Harvard or CalTech. If you’re willing, that’s an alternative that could be explored as well.</p>
<p>Ok, so I have been seeing the disclaimer of “and have a reasonable reason to want to attend [a top school”. </p>
<p>Mine is a personal story, I’d rather not get into, however, what are examples of other situations that deem a need to attend a top school?</p>