I am an international student who Needs aid. Unless my waitlists churn out miracles, I plan to go to Stony Brook University as a computer science and applied math student, next year. However, I would like to transfer to a better university (NYU, Cornell, etc.). Although I can only do so much in less than a year, what steps should I be taking to improve my chances to get in to such a university?
Side question: Do universities have applications of transfer students from when they first applied?
Thank You!
This doesn’t address your core question, but be sure to check out the implications for financial aid: most universities have extremely limited financial aid for transfer students- the main exception being students transferring from a community college to the state university. NYU does not give financial aid to international transfer students, and Cornell has very limited funds for international transfer students. Do the homework on the colleges that you would like to transfer to, and tailor your efforts towards the ones that are likely to have the financial aid that you need.
Do you need financial aid? If you do, you are HIGHLY unlikely to get into the colleges you named since there’s no financial aid for international transfers. In addition, it’s typically harder to get in as a transfer than as a freshman.
Cornell admits few students, but more than other Top 25 colleges; 98% of its transfers are admitted to a “contract college”, usually the school of Life Sciences and Agriculture (where Dyson is).
In short, choose the university that you see yourself attending for 4 years and don’t expect to transfer.
Thanks guys! I still want to try and get in to other colleges, perhaps ones that are more prestigious; someone has to get in. So yeah, what are some steps regarding academics and extra curriculars that I should take to maximize my chances?
Actually, starting with some specific colleges on one hand and your genuine academic interests on the other is as good a place to start as any. Figure out colleges that have especially strong departments in what you are interested in- not just the top couple of names, but the next tier- include places where you could shiine, not be just squeeking in over the threshold . Take the most challenging courses at SB in that area that you can and do exceptionally well in them. Get to know the professors in that department at SB well enough to know who will write you a good recommendation.
I haven’t looked at your other posts, but I’m guessing that you were disappointed in this admissions round.
Look for objective ways to show your skill/ability in your field (get something published, develop an app that is downloaded a million times- I don’t know what- just something that shows you achieving above the typical college student).
Consider staying 2 years at SB, doing the lower level / Gen Ed classes there then transferring to another school because of the excellence of the particular program that you are interested. If you do that, start looking for great summer research opportunity by December. The less it looks as though you are simply trying to get their ‘better’ name and more as if you have matured into your abilities and are looking to get the benefit of some specific element of their college the better.
Really, truly though: if your need for aid is crucial, do that homework first- you will find few enough top universities that give aid to international transfer students.
Can you please answer this question: will you need financial aid as a transfer?
What you need to do is that over the next 3 to 4 semesters, you’ll need to get A’s or A-'s in about every class (NOT easy to do), get involved in a few clubs and get some leadership position Sophomore year, get acquainted with the Career center and see if you can get an internship after freshman year (very difficult, especially for an international). You may want to choose your university based on availability of meaningful research for freshmen and sophomores, and if you got into a Honors College that’s another point for you but if you didn’t, look up the requirements about getting into the Honors College as a freshman. And with ALL of these, your odds are probably 1-2%.
@MYOS1634 based on his other thread, his parents will move out soon out of India to the US due to the company order(they are on L1 visa and the OP is on L2 visa) so their parents’ income MAY decrease and they are willing to pay 20k for “good school”(not again…)
However, it’s obvious that colleges won’t care about their parents’ plans since their are going to use their 2014 income…
By moving to the US, expenses will greatly increase.
OP, what is your EFC?
If you don’t know, pick a university (say, Cornell) and see how much your parents are expected to pay. If it’s above 20k, then most universities won’t be affordable, so make the best of the university where you got in.
I thought I edited…but I guess not.
His parents are working in the US and they are going back to india
Oh, then that’s even worse, because OP will need even more financial aid. OP can only apply as a sophomore (for Fall 2017), so s/he’ll use 2015 tax returns at least, but universities rarely provide financial aid to internationals, let alone meet need, so it won’t do him/her much good. :s
Maybe the OP can persuade his or her parents that “good schools” arent limited to NYU or Ivy leagues? He qualifies for U of Alabama( which I think is a very good option for high stats Internationsal students regardless the majors) merit scholaship
Thanks for your input, people! It is highly appreciated.