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Too many undergraduate institutions
- Thread starter Sophocles
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Moving up is good, but at some point what could you possibly gain?
I started at a CC, transferred to a pretty good priv. school, had the option to go to a top 15 school, decided against it though.
Transferring too much can show adcoms that you're not very stable. Have you held a solid volunteering/research/etc. position for a long time? That could help.
Oh, also, were the transfers for reasons other than better academics? Or did you have personal matters to tend to (that would be much more understandable from an Adcoms point of view).
I started at a CC, transferred to a pretty good priv. school, had the option to go to a top 15 school, decided against it though.
Transferring too much can show adcoms that you're not very stable. Have you held a solid volunteering/research/etc. position for a long time? That could help.
Oh, also, were the transfers for reasons other than better academics? Or did you have personal matters to tend to (that would be much more understandable from an Adcoms point of view).
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I went from a CC to a university, to another university (graduated), back to CC 3 years later(for some of the science prereqs), back to the university I graduated from to finish prereqs. I did explain some of my movement in my PS, but for the most part was not questioned about it because my grades were good at all of the schools I attended and I think that is more important. Not to say it is a good idea to jump around schools, but it is far from detrimental if your reasons are valid.
ps I have been accepted this cycle and have been offered interviews at 8 of the 13 schools that I completed an application.
ps I have been accepted this cycle and have been offered interviews at 8 of the 13 schools that I completed an application.
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you are required to put down EVERY institution whether you think it's the best story to present or not. all four schools need to be listed. now you just get to decide how to tell people about it.
i will have 6 total transcripts (4yr univ classes while in HS, undergrad univ, study abroad while in ugrad univ, grad school univ, and 2 local schools-1 CC 1 4yr - where i filled in a few prereqs during grad school bc they were cheaper than taking them at the grad school). so no it shouldnt affect you if your story as to why makes sense.
as to the research yes getting exposure to different areas is great, but no i would say what will look better for you is getting some solid time in 1 lab so you can talk about the significance of the work, the depth of YOUR contribution to it, and hopefully have a meaningful publication in the end.
i will have 6 total transcripts (4yr univ classes while in HS, undergrad univ, study abroad while in ugrad univ, grad school univ, and 2 local schools-1 CC 1 4yr - where i filled in a few prereqs during grad school bc they were cheaper than taking them at the grad school). so no it shouldnt affect you if your story as to why makes sense.
as to the research yes getting exposure to different areas is great, but no i would say what will look better for you is getting some solid time in 1 lab so you can talk about the significance of the work, the depth of YOUR contribution to it, and hopefully have a meaningful publication in the end.
I did three undergraduate institutions, it wasn't really a problem for me. It might even be considered a strength if you play it right.
I would casually address it in a personal statement/essay (ex. after becoming interested in electrical engineering, I transferred to MIT where I completed my thesis with Dr. Famous, etc).
I would casually address it in a personal statement/essay (ex. after becoming interested in electrical engineering, I transferred to MIT where I completed my thesis with Dr. Famous, etc).
You'll be fine. I sent in 5 transcripts. Another kid in my M1 class hopped around, starting at a CC and ultimately going to Oxford. Especially if you're moving to more prestigious schools, I don't see how anyone could possibly hold it against you.
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As long as you can provide good explanations for why you transferred I don't see there being any problems. You almost certainly will be asked about this, especially if you're sending in several transcripts.
Beyond that, the only "problem" I can think of is not having long-term activities and/or long-term relationships with professors who can then write you LORs.
Beyond that, the only "problem" I can think of is not having long-term activities and/or long-term relationships with professors who can then write you LORs.
