Will I have any chances with transferring to top Ivy's?

Transfer Students
1

Sorry if this question gets asked a lot but it’s really hard for me to gauge because I’m so unfamiliar with transfer admissions. Basically, I have a guaranteed transfer to Cornell, which is good, but since I’m already going to be transferring I thought it would be nice to also apply to a few schools I like more than Cornell, like Columbia and Penn, and maybe Harvard and Yale.

My high school GPA is difficult to determine because I spent a year of high school outside the US, but I took all honors classes every year, 2 AP’s junior year and 5 AP’s senior year, and I got all A’s freshman and sophomore year and all B’s junior and senior year (I know, I know). The weighted GPA would probably come out to around 4.3, and unweighted to around 3.5 or 3.6.

My EC’s so far include some clubs, president of FBLA and some other clubs, going to FBLA Nationals in 2 weeks (hopefully win something), and independent research.

Scores are SAT 2250 (single sitting) and 2280 (superscore) and ACT 35 (single sitting), as well as two 760s on SATII’s.

I’m probably going to Fordham next year. If I should work my ass off and maintain a 3.9+ there, would that be enough to make a competitive application to say Columbia?

Thanks!!

2

As for me, private universities like columbia decides admission based on both sat test scores and high school gpa. Your high school gpa is already adequate and your sat is already way above the required standards. In my opinion, just support your application with amazing personal statements and do more extracurriculars!
Good luck

3

Anything is possible but consider that being at the top of Fordham even Cornell will help you in terms of job placement as opposed to being at the bottom at Columbia. If you really only care about name and prestige then knock yourself out but excelling at cornell will look better than struggling at columbia for the next level

4

OP, can we get an update on your situation with school and where you are at?