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Hey guys

I’m a freshman at Ohio Wesleyan University, and I’m looking to transfer to a top-tier university with an international and diverse perspective (from everything I know about Brown, it fits this description). Yes, I know, it’s pretty early to be thinking about transferring, but I’m pretty certain this place isn’t going to cut it for the next four years. I really haven’t found the opportunities I’d hoped for when I decided to come here. I feel constrained by the small campus, small town, small-minded student body. And so I’ve decided to transfer…

Home is an even smaller town in northern Virginia, but I went to boarding school in New Hampshire (Phillips Exeter – read, very challenging). The twist here is that I was kicked out two days before graduation for plagiarism. Needless to say, this was a very, very stupid mistake, but it forced me think about the events leading up to this, and in the end to learn a lot about what kind of person I am and where my values really lie. I’ll obviously write about this whole ordeal in my essays... The school I was planning on attending, UVA, rescinded my admission, though the dean said I could come next year (I’d have to reapply). The strict Honor code did me in, no doubt, (a similar offense at UVA would be cause for immediate dismissal). Ohio Wesleyan was kind enough to accept my application in early August. Also, before I had accepted a place at UVA, I was accepted at Georgetown, Penn, Johns Hopkins, Tufts, and William & Mary ).


Here are some of my high school credentials:

SAT
Verbal: 710
Math: 780

SAT II
Writing: 740
Math IC: 740
French: 710

GPA
9.0 out of 11 (B+) – pulled up 8.0 freshman year GPA with two consecutive years of averaging a 9.34, and a senior fall of 10.0.

High School activities…

Founder and president of my school’s Special Olympics chapter; organized volunteer activities (brought together the largest volunteer group Special Olympics – NH had ever seen), fund-raisers, taught disabilities awareness curriculum at local elementary school

Senior officer, Politics Club; supported local candidates (both Democrat and Republican), promoted political awareness, worked with administration to bring Democratic presidential candidates to speak at our school during the New Hampshire primaries (Kerry, Wes Clark, Lieberman, and Dean)

Environmental Proctor; selected position, responsible for ensuring that the school’s environmental policies were being fully carried out in the dorms

Active member, Exeter Student Service Organization; regularly participated in Homeless Helpers, Food Pantry

Sailing; have been competitively sailing since the age of 12, compete every summer on Long Island, have won numerous regattas, qualified in 2003 for the U.S. Single-handed Championship Semi-finals.

Football and Track, Varsity; wide receiver and cornerback in football, and ran 100m and 4x100m relay in track.

ALSO… I studied in Grenoble, France during the first 3 months of my senior year, living with a family and taking senior level classes at a typical French high school. Studies included Philosophy, Art History, Literature, and Colloquial Language (class taught by a professor from Exeter)... Before going to France, I interned for Congressman Eric Cantor (Chief Deputy Majority Whip for the Republicans) for two months in D.C. It was an amazing experience. I was able to take on a lot of responsibilities (writing official letters to constituents, working phones/front desk, tours, &c.), had a chance to see Greenspan, Cheney, Powell, and Wolfowitz give testimony to various Senate and House committees, and, by the end, I was even asked to come back to work as the legislative aide.


At Ohio Wesleyan:

Geographical Representative, Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs; I was elected to represent Stuyvesant hall (approx. 300 students) – as a freshman.

Judicial Affairs Committee, WCSA; our committee of 5 is currently working on revising and updating the entire WCSA constitution, the goal being to reinforce student rights and fill the numerous holes currently in the constitution.

Circle K; involved in numerous on- and off-campus service activities, including Ronald McDonald House. I’m going to continue my work in Special Olympics through this club; I will head up a group of volunteers to go to the Special Olympics of Ohio’s annual Winter Games in Columbus. It will be the club’s first involvement in Special Olympics, and I hope to continue our relationship with this organization through on-campus fundraisers.

Kappa Sigma (fraternity), founding member; I’ve been helping to get this fraternity off the ground (new house, constitution, University accreditation, etc.)

The OWL, contributor; Ohio Wesleyan’s literary quarterly

College Democrats

Varsity Sailing Team

ALSO… I was named a Faculty Scholar (despite applying inAugust), which includes an award of $15,000 annually in merit aid (generally awarded to the top 20 incoming freshman). I’m also part of the Honors Program.

The way classes are going right now, I’ll have a 4.0 by the end of the first semester. My recommendations will be good, one from my currents comparative politics professor (and advisor), and one from the Exeter faculty member who accompanied me to France.


Alllright, now that I have THAT out of the way…

Here’s a list of schools that I’m considering:

Brown
Cornell
Georgetown
Northwestern
Penn
Virginia

Intended Major: International Relations or, if that’s not offered, Political Science and Economics.

Brown is definalty my number one choice of these schools. Please let me know what you all think. Is Brown realistic for someone with my unique experience, and credentials? The list, and Brown in particular, represents what I’m looking for: diverse, urban, and intellectually challenging/engaging. Any advice from those in the know would be much appreciated.

Thanks so much.

By Mrpeepers (Mrpeepers) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 09:09 am: Edit

You sound a lot like me. I'm applying transfer from William and Mary to Brown, Cornell, Penn, Yale, etc. I'd say your chances are quite good. It is kind of a crapshoot, but if you have a top GPA (3.8-4.0 I'd think) you have as good a chance as anyone. We have very similar stats, so I hope I'm right on this Best of luck to you.

By Brazilianbeauty (Brazilianbeauty) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 10:39 am: Edit

I am also planning to apply for transfer to Brown from Wake Forest. I agree with Mrpeepers as well. Also it would also be a good idea to attend a Brown Near You session to speak with a representative about the transfer process if you can. Good luck to both of you!

By Slipper2002 (Slipper2002) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 04:25 pm: Edit

Also, add Vassar as a backup.

By Argilospsychi (Argilospsychi) on Sunday, October 03, 2004 - 10:56 pm: Edit

What kind of college GPA do you need to be a strong transfer applicant.

I heard 3.7 to 4.0 from someone, which seemed really high.