transferring to an American uni

International Students
1

<p>Apologies if this is in the wrong subforum.</p>

<p>I am in my second year at a small, local university in Western Canada. I’m not satisfied with the quality of my program (international relations - middle east security studies) and from research I don’t feel that any university in Canada offers a very strong program in this field. I am thinking of taking the next year or two off and going to a Middle Eastern country, most likely the West Bank, and volunteering/learning arabic there. If I come back, fulfill the requirements (SATS etc.) and apply to a top IR university in the U.S. (Georgetown, GW, John Hopkins, Stanford etc.) what will they take into consideration? will they consider the grades from my two years at university here? </p>

<p>from what I understand top american universities do not accept international transfer students and I will have to start over. (I am willing to do this)</p>

<p>thank you.</p>

2

<p>It’s primarily Ivy League schools which are impossible or extremely difficult to transfer to. Even the other top US universities usually allow transfers.</p>

<p>That said, you can’t choose to disregard the coursework you’ve already done. Once you’ve started university, it’s no longer possible to apply as a freshman. You have to apply as a transfer student instead.</p>

<p>Not only will they consider your two years of university coursework, but it is the main thing they will look at. After two years in university, high school marks and (if you’ve taken them) SAT’s and ACT’s get little to no weight in the admissions process.</p>

<p>Because US universities do not solely look at academics, volunteering in the Middle East might be viewed as a positive factor for admissions to a US university.</p>

<p>Hope this helps!</p>