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I am attending a community college just outside of Chicago. I have a 4.0 gpa and am a member of the honor society(PTK). I am disapointed by my classes and am looking for a challenge. I had a 4.0 in high school, but only had a 24 composit ACT and never took the SAT. I would like to get into the best school I could. Does anyone have any ideas?

By Dave Berry on Monday, February 25, 2002 - 03:25 pm: Edit

Hi, Jason. Thanks for your message. One of the worst situations for a motivated college student is to be underchallenged. It's like that old slogan says: "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." (Or, in my particular case, "A waist is a terrible thing to mind.") 'Sorry about that. (Special apologies to amd!)

Jason, tell me what your academic goals are and give me a few pertinent details that can help me suggest some likely transfer candidates for you. Are there any special circumstances that would limit your pool of candidates?

By Json on Wednesday, March 06, 2002 - 09:09 pm: Edit

I am undecided about a major. I'm looking for a school where I can get a proper liberal arts education that is challenging and fulfilling. Several professors have told me that I have very good writing skills and I may be interested in journalism. I graduated high school from a Chicago Public school with a 4.0, and ranked 19 of 331. I took the highest level classes (AP and CP), but only 3 years of math and science, and two foreign language. I went to a local private school on full scholarship but disliked it. By the time I left, most application deadlines had passed so I just went to a CC, rather than take a year off. My college GPA is 4.0 and I feel disappointed and under challenged by my past college experience. My only obstacle is money; I am paying my own way. I would be willing to get loans to pay for a private school if it is necessary.

By Dave Berry on Thursday, March 07, 2002 - 07:58 pm: Edit

Thanks for the info, Jason. Keying on liberal arts and journalism, I might suggest Northwestern, Syracuse, Carnegie Mellon, NYU, Lehigh, Washington and Lee, U. of Richmond, GWU, American U., and Boston U., to name a few obvious candidates.

If you would expand into English or creative writing, many more superb candidates emerge such as Kenyon, U. of Chicago, the Ivies, AWS, et al.

The richer schools tend to have better aid. The whole decision for you will hinge on your preferences and overall stats, which we don't have at this point. As for transfer success, your chances will tend to track a school's acceptance rate. The lower the rate, the fewer seats available, thus heavier competition.

By ThePrincipal on Friday, March 08, 2002 - 07:40 pm: Edit

I think there's all too much attention devoted to 4.0 students - nobody cares about the 90% of students who don't have stellar GPAs but still deserve a good education.

By Jason Tuton (Json) on Monday, March 11, 2002 - 06:52 pm: Edit

I agree. In my case, my ACT is fairly low and I wouldn't want to be overlooked because of it. I am also attending a community college and went to a Chicago Public Highschool. I feel that in order to try to compete with private school kids, I better have a 4.0.

By columbo on Tuesday, May 28, 2002 - 12:28 am: Edit

USC. NYU. UCLA. Berkeley. DUKE...try the ivies.. you have a good high school record that combined with a strong college record can do you some nice things...and hey...retake the ACTs or SATS...

By David Hawsey on Tuesday, May 28, 2002 - 04:02 pm: Edit

The ACT or SAT scores are of little value for transfer students. I would not take these tests again, especially if you are graduating from a two-year college with an AA or AS degree, and have the standard 60 - 70 credits. And if your CC has a chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (Phi Beta Kappa of two-year schools), be sure to look for schools that have a PTK scholarship.

The high school record, and especially standardized test scores are of diminished value after completing one or more successful years at anotehr college. In fact, the ACT and SAT are of no value at all, given their use as a tool to predict success in the first 6 months to one year of college(debatable).

No matter the name of the college, if a school requires these tests, or asks for new scores, turn around and walk away. Something is wrong --- the tests have no applicability to transfer students with at least one year of transferrable (and pertinent) coursework.