Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

Hi,
Please can you guys evaluate my chances of getting in one of these school ( Upenn, Cornell,
Carnegie mellon, Harvard, University of michigan, berkeley, Columbia) where i would be applying as 2005 transfer applicant.

My SAT 1: 1230, Math 650, Verbal 580
Currently attending rutgers school of engineering

Looking forward to do double major in economics and chemical engineering.

My gpa and grades are as follows: Cumulative Gpa: 3.7857.
Grades: Fall 2003: Physics B, Intro to experimentation B, Intro to computers for engineers A, microeconomics A, Chem for engrs A, Calc 2 B+
Spring 2004: Physics B+, engineering mechanics statics A, Honors Chem A, macroeconomics B+, Statistics for Business A, Calc3 A
and will be taking 4 econ classes and organic chem and differential equations in the coming fall semester and am taking physics 2-A, 2-A lab, chemical engineering analysis 1 and writing class this summer. As you could see i have been taking lot of classes so it's kind of hard to get good grades with this course load and usually at my school A's are awarded to only top 10% of the class and it's a pretty decent school where almost all of my teachers are ivy league grads. anyways i would be waiting for candid evaluations . thank you very much.

By Sfahad (Sfahad) on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 09:25 pm: Edit

My first choice is Upenn.

By Sfahad (Sfahad) on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 11:58 pm: Edit

bump!!!

By Sfahad (Sfahad) on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 01:25 pm: Edit

any evaluations plz..........

By Alpinesun (Alpinesun) on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 04:14 pm: Edit

I think you'll be a competitive applicant, with good recs, ecs, and essays.

By Transferkid (Transferkid) on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 06:25 pm: Edit

Your stats are definitely good. What you need however is something to make you stand out. Since your GPA is already very good, you'll want to become a more competitive applicant by being involved in a few EC's. Not a ton, just a few, to which you should dedicate some time. Find something that interests you, or that relates to your major(s).

The transfer pool for these schools is usually very very competitive, and you should expect most applicants to have a good GPA. Hence, while stats play a big role, you can only rise above the app. pool by your EC involvement.

Finally, I really dont see why you need to take such a heavy load. It is better to spread things out, even if this implies one or more sessions of summer school. Trust me, your grades will be even higher, you definitely seem to have the potential.

By Sfahad (Sfahad) on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 09:22 pm: Edit

thx. i actually called Upenn today and talked with undergraduate director at Upenn in economics department. She said that, she would be suprised if i wouldn't get accepted. But on other hand when i talked to the transfer admissions office , person told me that i might actually be overqualified b/c of my course load and i would have to write my reasoning for why i m taking so many courses. I m kind of confused if i should cut down on number of courses that i m taking but i really think that if i continue with this course load and get good grades , i would stand out and then i would explain it to them that i m trying to actually get dual degree in 4 yrs not 5 that's why i have to keep up with such intense course load each semester. Any suggestions?

By Sfahad (Sfahad) on Friday, June 04, 2004 - 03:12 pm: Edit

bump

By Sfahad (Sfahad) on Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 12:38 pm: Edit

any suggestions?

By Collegedadz (Collegedadz) on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 12:59 am: Edit

I was admitted to Penn as a transfer for this fall. Their average admitted transfer student (which includes a large number of nursing, athletic, and required community college students) is a 1300 SAT and a 3.6 College GPA. The college is closer to a 3.7 GPA and a 1400 SAT. Wharton is closer to a 3.8 GPA and a 1450 SAT. Nursing is 3.5ish and a 1200 SAT.

"actually called Upenn today and talked with undergraduate director at Upenn in economics department. She said that, she would be suprised if i wouldn't get accepted."

Well, based on adcom supplied data, you fall within the GPA average but your SATs are much lower than the standard admit. A 3.7875 from Rutgers is definately an achievement but I'm not sure it'll push you ahead of the students with an equivalent GPA from a better school with better HS stats.

"But on other hand when i talked to the transfer admissions office , person told me that i might actually be overqualified b/c of my course load and i would have to write my reasoning for why i m taking so many courses."

Not to be rude, but I'm not sure I believe this...why would an adcom say you're over qualified for a school like Penn? The course load isn't all that advanced (mine was similar and many other applicants I know/knew had equivalent, if not tougher, schedules). Maybe you misunderstood...maybe they meant you were on path to taking more than 60 credits and Penn has a 2-year residency requirement, meaning you need to take at least half of your courses at Penn.

I'd suggest taking challenging courses and keep your grades up. Penn still looks at HS stats, even as a 2nd year transfer, so they will play a part - albeit a small one. Your recommendations and college grades will be of primary importance.

P.S. For what it's worth, I had a 1400 SAT and a 3.9 College GPA from a top LAC.

By Sarahw (Sarahw) on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 09:54 am: Edit

hey collegedadz,

did you apply to any other ivies?

By Sfahad (Sfahad) on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 03:13 pm: Edit

Thx Collegedadz. What is a Lac ? I m sorry that i don't know what it is ? This is only my third year in US and i never used to speak in english before coming here , that's the reason why my SAt's are that low. thx .

By Sfahad (Sfahad) on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 03:15 pm: Edit

let me guess. Does it mean top liberal arts college?
if that's what it is, where were you before transferring to Upenn. thx.

By Collegedadz (Collegedadz) on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 06:16 pm: Edit

Sarah,

No, I did not.

Sfahad,

Yeah, it means LAC. I go to Bucknell.

By Sfahad (Sfahad) on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 11:36 am: Edit

bumb