I wanna transfer to an Ivy League school/ Insights/

[Mount Sinai]

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I am talking about an undergraduate program. I have browsed a few websites and have seen a few quote "extremely competitive" and i am not surprised.

I am currently a student at a Community College. I have 3.77 (15 credits; rest are As) standing due to a C in a stupid online class. However, I am taking it again and things are looking good, so I will have a 4.0 by the end of the semester. I am aware that AMCAS averages class retakes. My problem is this:

- I have already applied to a certain State school where I have already made connections and gotten decent research opportunities

However, when i was talking to an advisor, i realized that everyone would be going to this school. So, I was advised to apply to an Ivy League. My problem is my previous transcripts (HS). I went to an International school for High school which graded on a different scale.

Unfortunately, the scale was misinterpreted at my graduating H and screwed me over. i graduated with a 2.9. My standardized test scores were avg because i never picked up a book for those. 23 ACT and a 1550 SAT.

I have assessed my application. i have very good working experience and can easily articulate my thoughts on their essays, but would an Ivy League be a stretch for me? Please help.

 

[Glazebrook]

I am talking about an undergraduate program. I have browsed a few websites and have seen a few quote "extremely competitive" and i am not surprised.

I am currently a student at a Community College. I have 3.77 (15 credits; rest are As) standing due to a C in a stupid online class. However, I am taking it again and things are looking good, so I will have a 4.0 by the end of the semester. I am aware that AMCAS averages class retakes. My problem is this:

- I have already applied to a certain State school where I have already made connections and gotten decent research opportunities

However, when i was talking to an advisor, i realized that everyone would be going to this school. So, I was advised to apply to an Ivy League. My problem is my previous transcripts (HS). I went to an International school for High school which graded on a different scale.

Unfortunately, the scale was misinterpreted at my graduating H and screwed me over. i graduated with a 2.9. My standardized test scores were avg because i never picked up a book for those. 23 ACT and a 1550 SAT.

I have assessed my application. i have very good working experience and can easily articulate my thoughts on their essays, but would an Ivy League be a stretch for me? Please help.

1550 on the 1600 or 2400 scale? Given your test scores and the way your high school GPA is calculated, I'd unfortunately have to say that an Ivy would be a stretch. Best of luck 👍

 

[Mount Sinai]

1550 on the 1600 or 2400 scale? Given your test scores and the way your high school GPA is calculated, I'd unfortunately have to say that an Ivy would be a stretch. Best of luck 👍

Wow....this is great!!🙄

It was the 2400 scale by the way...

Do you happen to know any decent universities with a decent premedical/science program.

 

[vandyam]

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com

I'd check this website out. They'll be of more guidance. But unfortunately, I'll have to agree with the sentiments above and say that, at this time, you're not competitive at all.

 

[octupus]

1550 on the 1600 or 2400 scale? Given your test scores and the way your high school GPA is calculated, I'd unfortunately have to say that an Ivy would be a stretch. Best of luck 👍

a 23 ACT.. I would think that correlates with a 1550 on a 2400 scale.
An Ivy would be a reach, but apply anyway if you so desire. Although from what I remember, they are tougher on transfer students and averages are >30 ACT and >2100 SAT.

 

[octupus]

Perhaps, your money is better spent at another 4 year college rather than an Ivy. Look into liberal arts colleges 😍

 

[Mount Sinai]

I know....these are ****ty scores....i should have at least tried....

o well...

 

[iggs99988]

May I ask why it is you seek to attend an "Ivy"?

 

[Finches]

I am talking about an undergraduate program. I have browsed a few websites and have seen a few quote "extremely competitive" and i am not surprised.

I am currently a student at a Community College. I have 3.77 (15 credits; rest are As) standing due to a C in a stupid online class. However, I am taking it again and things are looking good, so I will have a 4.0 by the end of the semester. I am aware that AMCAS averages class retakes. My problem is this:

- I have already applied to a certain State school where I have already made connections and gotten decent research opportunities

However, when i was talking to an advisor, i realized that everyone would be going to this school. So, I was advised to apply to an Ivy League. My problem is my previous transcripts (HS). I went to an International school for High school which graded on a different scale.

Unfortunately, the scale was misinterpreted at my graduating H and screwed me over. i graduated with a 2.9. My standardized test scores were avg because i never picked up a book for those. 23 ACT and a 1550 SAT.

I have assessed my application. i have very good working experience and can easily articulate my thoughts on their essays, but would an Ivy League be a stretch for me? Please help.

I'm confused: your reason for applying to the ivy league with the aforementioned stats(leaping over many other great, non-ivies) is because "everyone is going there"?

 

[octupus]

I know....these are ****ty scores....i should have at least tried....

o well...

the good news is that you have almost 4 years to redeem yourself. Whichever school you end up in, don't screw it up again.

Liberal arts colleges tend to be smaller and give more attention to their students so you don't "get lost in the system". Consider them if your goal is professional/graduate school in the future.

 

[Mount Sinai]

I'm confused: your reason for applying to the ivy league with the aforementioned stats(leaping over many other great, non-ivies) is because "everyone is going there"?

It seems like everyone is going to my state school...

life is short...

 

[sliceofbread136]

It seems like everyone is going to my state school...

life is short...

So what will you get out of an ivy league that you wouldn't get out of a state school?

 

[Mount Sinai]

So what will you get out of an ivy league that you wouldn't get out of a state school?

A better chance at getting into an ivy med schl bro..

 

[octupus]

So what will you get out of an ivy league that you wouldn't get out of a state school?

lots of student loan debt for one, but I can think of a few others

 

[sliceofbread136]

A better chance at getting into an ivy med schl bro..

Debatable. It's going to be what you do at the school you go to that matters most. Go where you have the most oppurtunities, which may not be the ivy league school.

 

[octupus]

A better chance at getting into an ivy med schl bro..

falsehood.

and don't forget you would be competing against the cream of the crop so you might also be risking your GPA. just saying.

 

[Hemorrage]

You should understand that the ACT and SAT (more so) is a test of critical thinking skills, preparing for them with prep books can only get you so far, I took the SAT without studying and got a 1970 and then I studied my butt off and only gained 40 points for my final score. Your better off applying to top tier schools like NYU, USC, BU or BC etc. getting As at a community college is good but it hardly compares to a 4 year university (I took cc classes before)

 

[natorx]

Unless I was rich, and had a trust fund to pay for my ivy league education I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole

It come down to YOU not the school. You can do great things at any university if you hustle and strive to be the best. It's also easier to get into research in less prestige schools.

Go to ivy league for a name but less ec's vs smaller school with a ton of research


I know what I'd pick

 

[octupus]

You should understand that the ACT and SAT (more so) is a test of critical thinking skills, preparing for them with prep books can only get you so far, I took the SAT without studying and got a 1970 and then I studied my butt off and only gained 40 points for my final score. Your better off applying to top tier schools like NYU, USC, BU or BC etc. getting As at a community college is good but it hardly compares to a 4 year university (I took cc classes before)

I say that may be true for the ACT since it is a straight forward test.
The SAT is a test you can learn. I improved from ~1700 to a 2150 in 3 months of studying.

That's assuming the OP can get into top tier schools... but it's worth a try!

 

[Gigantron]

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com

I'd check this website out. They'll be of more guidance. But unfortunately, I'll have to agree with the sentiments above and say that, at this time, you're not competitive at all.

That site needs to be condemned.

 

[Starlightembers]

You should understand that the ACT and SAT (more so) is a test of critical thinking skills, preparing for them with prep books can only get you so far, I took the SAT without studying and got a 1970 and then I studied my butt off and only gained 40 points for my final score. Your better off applying to top tier schools like NYU, USC, BU or BC etc. getting As at a community college is good but it hardly compares to a 4 year university (I took cc classes before)

Ironically, I took a couple of courses at the local CC and did worse than the four years I have taken classes at. I need to be challenged and pushed to motivate myself to do well. I wasn't at the CC. I agree, however, that courses at CCs tend to be easier (at least in my area).

That site needs to be condemned.

Agreed.

lots of student loan debt for one, but I can think of a few others

This is likely false. Ivies and other top-tier universities tend to have phenomenal financial aid. Harvard, for example, waives the cost for those who come from families making under 65k/a year. Yale has a similar system.

At many LACs, however, I noticed that, despite high tuition (at least in the North East, many are >50k a year), the aid is nowhere near as good. I say this as someone who attends one (and is planning to transfer out due to an inability to afford it, despite loving the atmosphere), as well.

Debatable. It's going to be what you do at the school you go to that matters most. Go where you have the most oppurtunities, which may not be the ivy league school.

This. Though an Ivy name -- and the name of other, top tier universities, for that matter (Standford, Hopkins, NYU, etc among others) -- would likely help you in the admissions process, you can get into an Ivy medical school without attending an Ivy undergrad. What you do with the opportunities to presented to you will matter quite a bit. Furthermore, not all Ivy medical schools are necessarily "top" medical schools. Brown and Dartmouth, for example, are not top 25 medical schools. Hopkins, Wash U-St. Louis, among many others, are.

 

[Finches]

.

 

[octupus]

This is likely false. Ivies and other top-tier universities tend to have phenomenal financial aid. Harvard, for example, waives the cost for those who come from families making under 65k/a year. Yale has a similar system.

At many LACs, however, I noticed that, despite high tuition (at least in the North East, many are >50k a year), the aid is nowhere near as good. I say this as someone who attends one (and is planning to transfer out due to an inability to afford it, despite loving the atmosphere), as well.
.

Yes, rich schools do offer great fin aid packages if they want you to attend. Same goes for LACs. I actually graduated from a LAC in the northeast and was given ~$45,000/year in scholarship/grant out of the total ~$50,000 cost of attendance. Trinity College offered a full-ride but I was a naive high school grad then and was too scared of Hartford. Now that I have to pay back loans... I kind of wish I chose Trinity.

Anyway, I was just saying that OP should consider LACs because I think they're great in terms of prepping students for med school and OP's shot at a big Ivy is zilch.

 

[Starlightembers]

Yes, rich schools do offer great fin aid packages if they want you to attend. Same goes for LACs. I actually graduated from a LAC in the northeast and was given ~$45,000/year in scholarship/grant out of the total ~$50,000 cost of attendance. Trinity College offered a full-ride but I was a naive high school grad then and was too scared of Hartford. Now that I have to pay back loans... I kind of wish I chose Trinity.

Anyway, I was just saying that OP should consider LACs because I think they're great in terms of prepping students for med school and OP's shot at a big Ivy is zilch.

The policy at Harvard I mentioned is need-based, not merit based. If you are accepted and come from a family making under 65k a year, you get it. Same with Yale's. Period. My point was that many Ivies have great need based aid packages.

My LAC gives out primarily merit based. That is is not an insignificant difference, especially considering most of our students come from families making over 95k/a year who were able to provide them with some pretty phenomenal experiences and enrichment activities.

I do agree with you, however, that (s)he should look into LACs; I certainly love mine and wish I could stay. I just did not want anyone to perpetuate the myth that prestigious university always, or even usually, equals debt.

 

[mishaS]

What do you have to set you apart from everyone else exactly OP because from this end even saying it would be a stretch for you to get into an Ivy League school seems like a stretch. You don't need to go to an awesome school to get into medical school; getting in anywhere should be your goal, not getting into a top 10 medical school. If there is something that makes you amazing, then maybe consider shooting for the stars, but nobody is going to let you into their school because you want it super duper badly or because you can simply write a coherent essay (do you think that the rest of us can't?).

 

[Donald Juan]

OP, I don't quite get what you want people to tell you. You clearly want to go to an ivy, so apply to an ivy. Otherwise, the best answer anybody can tell you here as to whether or not you could get in is, "maybe, maybe not."

 

[Mount Sinai]

Thanks guys!! I know what I am gonna do now..

 

[universalcynic]

My point was that many Ivies have great need based aid packages.

This is so true, and I think it's a shame more people don't know about this. Most Ivies, and a lot of other high-caliber schools, have policies where they cover ALL of the student's determined need (i.e. tuition/room/board/other estimated expenses - EFC) with grants and a small amount of work-study, meaning no loans necessary. I believe the EFC for a household with average income ($50,000) is around $4000-$6000, so at these schools you can really get a phenomenal deal.

This is a good link with info about schools with these types of policies: http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org/pc_institution.php

Of course, it won't be cheap if your family is rich, but if you are around average (or lower) income you can get a great deal out of this. But despite having these policies, a lot of these schools still have lower-income students underrepresented, and I think it's in part due to this myth we keep perpetuating that if a school is prestigious it must be so much more expensive. The myth prevents low-income students from even realizing all their options.

 

[Double Trouble]

falsehood.

and don't forget you would be competing against the cream of the crop so you might also be risking your GPA. just saying.

HYPS MIT Hopkins Caltech etc students have an advantage over non ivy students during medical school admissions.

 

[sliceofbread136]

HYPS MIT Hopkins Caltech etc students have an advantage over non ivy students during medical school admissions.

An advantage that is likely vastly overshadowed by pretty much everything else. You're much better off going somewhere that has more opportunities for you to succeed and stand out. That is what will get you into a top medical school.

 

[Stumpyman]

If you want a decent shot at an ivy transfer, you'll probably need to finish out another year the CC with all/mostly A's.

Transfer-friendly Ivy/top schools:

Cornell
Penn
Brown
Rice
Vanderbilt
Notre Dame
JHU

There are probably a few more, but these are the few that I know accept at least 20% of transfer students. But I reiterate, 15-35 credits with a 3.8 at a CC probably isn't enough (no harm in trying though).

 

[varsityblue]

If you want a decent shot at an ivy transfer, you'll probably need to finish out another year the CC with all/mostly A's.

Transfer-friendly Ivy/top schools:

Cornell
Penn
Brown
Rice
Vanderbilt
Notre Dame
JHU

There are probably a few more, but these are the few that I know accept at least 20% of transfer students. But I reiterate, 15-35 credits with a 3.8 at a CC probably isn't enough (no harm in trying though).

Penn is actually more competitive than most people think. In last year's cycle, they accepted less than 7% of all transfer applicants. UCLA and USC, by contrast, admitted at the 40% level for people with competitive stats. To the OP, I highly recommend you retake your SAT as soon as possible, hustle to get great LORs and ECs, and wait until the end of your sophomore year to apply to transfer. PM me if you want more targeted, school-specific advice.

 

[Stumpyman]

Penn is actually more competitive than most people think. In last year's cycle, they accepted less than 7% of all transfer applicants. UCLA and USC, by contrast, admitted at the 40% level for people with competitive stats. To the OP, I highly recommend you retake your SAT as soon as possible, hustle to get great LORs and ECs, and wait until the end of your sophomore year to apply to transfer. PM me if you want more targeted, school-specific advice.

Really? I read it was more like 19.X percent somewhere (I'll post a link if and when I find it).

 

[bookfreak89]

If you want a decent shot at an ivy transfer, you'll probably need to finish out another year the CC with all/mostly A's.

Transfer-friendly Ivy/top schools:

Cornell
Penn
Brown
Rice
Vanderbilt
Notre Dame
JHU

There are probably a few more, but these are the few that I know accept at least 20% of transfer students. But I reiterate, 15-35 credits with a 3.8 at a CC probably isn't enough (no harm in trying though).

On that note, I'm pretty sure that Princeton doesn't accept transfers at all.

 

[kpcrew]

It sounds like an enormous stretch unless your parents make a 7 figure donation to the school.

 

[Starlightembers]

On that note, I'm pretty sure that Princeton doesn't accept transfers at all.

This is correct. Princeton is closed to transfers.

Harvard began accepting transfers about two years ago and, each year, only accepts about twelve.

Yale and Standford accept more than Harvard; however, still accept very few.

Cornell is, by far, the most transfer-friendly Ivy. Brown, too. An added advantage in applying to Cornell and Brown for some students is that, if one's original school did not require the SAT/ACTs for admission, one is not required to take them to apply to these schools.

 

[Stumpyman]

This is correct. Princeton is closed to transfers.

Harvard began accepting transfers about two years ago and, each year, only accepts about twelve.

Yale and Standford accept more than Harvard; however, still accept very few.

Cornell is, by far, the most transfer-friendly Ivy. Brown, too. An added advantage in applying to Cornell and Brown for some students is that, if one's original school did not require the SAT/ACTs for admission, one is not required to take them to apply to these schools.

Good insight. Duke also takes over 10% transfers (which isn't way too much, because Cornell takes over 25%).

OP: If you are OK with top public schools, then most of them are very transfer friendly (Berkeley, UVA, UCLA, etc.)

 

[GoZags]

You don't have to go Ivy to be competitive for med school admissions?

Save money, go to a state school, work hard, do well on MCAT, and you'll end up in a medical program where other people went "ivy" spent a whole lot more money than you, and did the same on their MCATs Etc. I would rather go to a school that will provide you with an equal opportunity at less cost. Although I recognize that "all schools aren't created equal" but still.

That being said, if you want to go "ivy" cuz it'll make you feel like you stand out more then go right ahead but ultimately you get what you put into it. I think everyone has kinda glazed over the fact that if you don't work hard EVEN at an Ivy then you're not going to get accepted to a medical school just because of your undergrad institution.

 

[thesauce]

Don't waste your money applying with those grades/scores

 

[notbobtrustme]

You need to score in the 95th to 99th percentile for ACT/SAT to be even considered for Ivys.

 

[Stumpyman]

You need to score in the 95th to 99th percentile for ACT/SAT to be even considered for Ivys.

If you're applying as a freshman, of course. Read above Starlightmembers post.

Schools don't care as much for SAT/ACTs when you transfer (albeit they do still look at them).

 

[MarineDocFl]

If you're applying as a freshman, of course. Read above Starlightmembers post.

Schools don't care as much for SAT/ACTs when you transfer (albeit they do still look at them).

Truth.

 

[MossyFiber]

. i have very good working experience and can easily articulate my thoughts on their essays, but would an Ivy League be a stretch for me?

Would it be a stretch for you financially if you actually get in? Taking out a bunch of loans to pay for it might have more impact than you think.

 

[Starlightembers]

If you're applying as a freshman, of course. Read above Starlightmembers post.

Schools don't care as much for SAT/ACTs when you transfer (albeit they do still look at them).

Indeed.

Just to add to my above post, in addition to Brown and Cornell, other top universities that do not require SAT/ACT scores for transfers include:

John Hopkins University
New York University
Emory
Schools that are a part of the University of California/UC system (for Junior transfers)
UofMich

Along with many Liberal Arts Colleges, if you are open to looking into them.