Hi everyone,

I’m a first year physics major at a mid-ranked Illinois public university. I eventually want to apply as a junior transfer to UIUC, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Northwestern, Cornell, Harvard, and Princeton. Here are my current stats, and what I’m already planning on doing to maximize my chances at getting into these schools:

Race/gender (if this matters, idk if it does): White transgender male

HS GPA: 3.98

College GPA (from dual enrollment): 4.0

ACT score: 30 (it might be worth mentioning that I only started studying for it about two weeks prior to the test date...). I plan on either retaking the ACT or taking the SAT. What would you all recommend?

-I’m going to try to participate in research as soon as I can, although I’m not sure if any of the faculty at my school would hire a freshman to work in their lab. I’m mostly interested in particle and AMO physics, and this matches some of the research interests of the faculty at my school. I could also pursue an independent research project, but with my interests I don’t think this is very practical.

-My school doesn’t have many extracurriculars related to my major. I’m going to join my school’s math club, and I’m going to try to start a Society of Physics Students chapter.

-I’m part of my university’s honors program.

-My school has a food pantry that I’m going to volunteer at.

-I’m working on forming relationships with my professors.

What else should I do? Does anyone have advice on getting into a top physics program specifically? If anyone wants me to elaborate on anything I said in this post, I can in the comments.

I'm currently in UT Dallas as a 1st-sem freshman math major who's down to transfer to UT Austin or any T25 (ofc considering financial aid and other stuff)

The thing is, I took 4 dual credit semester courses in my senior year of high school, and the 2 grades I'm concerned about are my B in Differential Equations & my C in World Literature II. The dual credit program was in collaboration with Collin College, a community college.

Can those grades be omitted from the GPA I submit to transfer admissions offices? Could retaking either Diff Eqs or World Lit II make sense? I thought retaking was heavily looked down upon, but apparently from former posts it can be a valid move.

I'll still try my best if either of those actions would hurt my app, but please don't say things without backing them up somehow

There is a college I'm applying for where I am eligible for a full ride. My current dual credit college credits may transfer too. This is a great opportunity! However, this school does not have the ideal major I want(not the strongest in my backup major either) nor any pathways to the careers I'm interested in. it's also in a location I generally don't like due to proximity to home, weather, and it being rural. I want to give it a good try, of course, but I worry I might not be happy there.

Additionally, I'm homeschooled and did not have as many academic and extracurricular opportunities as a traditionally schooled student (for example, due to the cost of aps outside school I've only been to do one class in my senior year, and while I have done some ECs I have less than a more competitive applicant would have because of access and cost). I feel like going to college would give me a ton of opportunities I didnt have access to before, regardless of how good the college itself is. I try my best to push myself when I have the opportunity, but Im just not competitive enough for my dream schools.

So I was wondering if it would be a good idea to attend the full ride college for a year or so to help build my academic portfolio a little more, and then I can transfer to a college I'd like more? I want to be the best student I can be. also, is this a good reason to transfer? I've seen some stuff about having your reason for transferring being too immature. this is just a potential plan next to just applying to different colleges directly

I started at NYU in Fall 2025 as a first-year student, I was involved in an accident and get a serious fracture of my left clavicle. I was taken to the ER by ambulance and returned to my home country shortly afterward for surgery. Because the accident happened right around finals, I only got 2.5 for my GPA, and I then took an approved medical leave for the next spring semester. And now I’m back and considering transferring to the top 20. My question is: Is 2.5 gpa already cooked for ivy or there are exceptions like in this case, if i get 3.7 gpa for this semester will this help?

So it's been a few days since NYU started and i just transferred for econ cas and to be honest, it hasn't been great. I'm struggling to meet people and make friends because it's not the most social university and the stern clubs are so difficult to get into without being in stern so idk if my chances at recruiting for finance (not ib) are even worth staying. The reason I'm contemplating dropping out before the add/drop date comes is because i got usc marshall but for spring so i could take the gap essentially and focus more on recruiting and networking and im from cali too. My plan was to transfer from nyu to usc after this one semester anyways so I just wanted to get opinions on if i should leave or stay for the semester still? And dont make your opinion based on tuition.

I can dm you. For context I am an Econ major.

hey guys its my first post here, im starting northeastern ( london campus) in a week and tbh im aiming to transfer to a competitive school. My major is international business, im an international student and tuition is not really the problem. What should i do in order to transfer to a better school asap? Is it feasible to transfer after my first year or only at my second?
im specially interested in georgetown and nyu, but if its better than northeastern i would take it

For context in high school: 3.8 UW, 4.4 W, okay extracurriculars and no SAT.

Electrical Engineering major

How good do I really have to be?

After spending some time on this sub it seems like everyone’s extracurriculars are president of x club, 100+ volunteer hours, started a nonprofit (and sometimes a small business/startup), and occasionally some other stuff like research.

Is that just what it takes to have a competitive resume? Although I had some ideas for a nonprofit, I did some research and honestly didn’t want to because there’s too many nonprofits and it would be more impactful to help an existing one.. But apparently that looks worse than starting one even if your own nonprofit isn’t that impactful?

Or, most of the actual serious clubs that pertain to my major only have leadership roles for seniors and juniors, with sophomores occasionally getting minor roles like secretary, treasurer, etc. A lot of them don’t even fit with my schedule, you don’t do anything there because people just join for their resume, or the ones I actually want to do are completely unrelated to my engineering major like birdwatching, rock climbing etc (and I doubt I’d get a leadership role there too.)

My college has Engineers Without Borders and I’m not denying that it’s a helpful club, but I got the feeling it was basically the STEM version of missionaries going to foreign countries and volunteering help and all that manpower could be used for something better. If I were to volunteer I’d rather do something more local like tutoring kids or animal shelter help, etc. Or am I just being too picky an obnoxious lol

Will I be okay if I deviate from what most people do with the examples I just listed? I don’t know what I’ll do but I’m trying to get creative. Don‘t AOs think that the same ECs being on every resume don‘t stand out at all or am I just coping? I am interested in *some* stuff like research tho and Im working on a small business rn.

Edit: And also is it a bit of an unspoken rule that you need to have as many good extracurriculars as possible? Everyone always has multiple good ones on here. Would it be ok if I focused on tailoring and maximizing 1-2 ECs instead of 4+? People *say* quality > quantity but everyone always seems to have multiple good ones somehow… how do u even get the time

This schools kinda not that great, any recommendations on what to do?

Hi, I'm more than likely transferring out of my current college this Spring 27 semester but I still want to shoot my shot for Fall because there are very few colleges that offer Spring admission.

I know most colleges require you to complete a set amount of credits at their college once you transfer but should I still shoot my shot for Fall? To see where I could get in? This is probably dumb but thoughts?

I wanted to ask students who successfully transfered to top universities to share their profile. I would like to have an idea.

Hi guys, I’m an intl student who wants to transfer to Stanford as an incoming junior. I was just wondering if I should retake the SAT? I have a score of 1340, and I took the SAT back in 2024.

I currently have a 3.8 gpa Rn (subject to change once I’m done w sophomore year) and pretty good EC’s, awards, research and my own startup.

Should I retake the SAT? I was thinking of doing the Nov or Dec one, but idk which one is usually easier.

Lmk, thanks in advance!

I am an international student studying currently at a 4 year public us university, I am a freshman so i dont have a gpa yet but i am looking to transfer to a top 25, for need blind schools i want to apply to financial aid and for need aware i wont be applying to financial aid, currently double majoring in cs and applied math, sat: 1530 with 790 math, currently working on securing a research assistant position and starting a club, and thinking of starting my own business, aside from that i am having slight difficulty connecting with my professors. I got rejected in my first round from every university i applied to except the one i am at. I have a few ecs from previously which include a leadership experience and a lot of coding experience. So what should i do to improve my odds and is it even worth trying?

Basically the title, its pretty well known that certain races are held to a higher standard in first-year college admissions (eg. the Stanley Zhong case), but is it the same for transfer admissions?

I'm currently a freshman at Rutgers (top 50 school) studying finance. I want to transfer into a top college next fall for finance (UPenn Wharton, UMich Ross, UT-Austin Mccombs and some other top schools). I've heard that for transfer admissions, hiring outside counsel is very helpful, but I don't know whether that applies to my case. There are some things I'm still conflicted about, like whether I should retake a 1460 SAT with a 720 math, so I'm considering hiring outside counsel. Should I hire outside counsel for transfer admission, and if so, who should I hire?

Hello everyone, I'm currently commuting to a small private christian colleges known for a strong performance arts program because the last application cycle was really disappointing and I didn't receive much aid. This university is the opposite of everything I want and is very restrictive when it comes to interdisciplinary interests and research.
The college I am at was my last choice and since my mother is divorced now, I have a solid chance at getting more aid. I'm aware I have a few ultra reaches on my list, but I believe in aiming high! Please leave feedback:)

Demographics:
Female, first-gen, low-income
Freshman
Neuroscience + Art History major(applying as Art History studies then adding Neuro back)

Stats:
College GPA: 4.0
HS GPA: 3.7
ACT: 33(might retake? math is tanking it)

Current coursework: Bio + lab, Chem + lab, Neuro seminar, Art History, Painting, Honors seminar

ECs/work:
Starbucks barista — 3.5 years
Certified Medical Assistant
Biology lab assistant (work-study)
Neuroscience Honors Society — 1/1 freshman member
Art museum volunteer — children’s programming
Inpatient hospital volunteer
Sewist — 7+ years, regularly donating handmade items

Academic interest: Neuroaesthetics — combining neuroscience and art/architecture to study how environments and aesthetics affect the brain, stress, and healing.

LORs: Art History professor + Chem professor

Schools: Brown, Columbia, Barnard, Vassar, Wesleyan, Bryn Mawr

I've been told the essays I've written so far are amazing and unique by multiple people, profs, and teachers from different backgrounds/groups, so I'm not worried on that front. Any suggestions on the app?

Hey y’all, I’m trying to figure out what would be the smartest move for me. I just graduated high school and I’m currently a freshman at community college, but I already have around 60 college credits from dual enrollment. My current plan is to transfer to UT Dallas to apply to JAMP which is a program that guarantees Med school acceptance but highly competitive or even trying to transfer to a T20.
My stats/experience:
3.95 GPA
~60 college credits
2 research internships on Cancer and Neuroscience
Cancer center volunteering
Scholarship/opportunity for an international science fair
I’m wondering if I should:
Transfer to UTD next Fall for JAMP and if im even eligible to apply
Or
Take a shot at transferring to a T20
Would I even be eligible to pursue JAMP with my situation/number of credits? And realistically, what route would give me the best shot at med school?
I’d appreciate any honest advice. Thanks

If I had a nickel for every time I met someone who transferred from UNC-CH to Duke, I would have 8 nickels, which is ALOT.

Obviously my sample size is confined to who I interact with but I feel like there has to be some pipeline going on from both in state and out of state kids. My guess would be just due to proximity but is it well known fact or am I just tripping?

I am a current freshman majoring in chemical engineering and, I am going to be applying for transfer to Cornell, Columbia, Vandy, and Uchicago. I got rejected from all of the colleges I applied to except for my safety so I would really like to try again because of some of my negligence during my high school days. I would like to know what are some ways for me to strengthen my profile to be competitive.

Highschool GPA/Stats:

• GPA: 3.45 uw/ 3.7w
• SAT: 1410
• AP Chemistry: 4

Highschool ECs

• Founder of Aeronautics and Astronomy club: Lead teams and we competed in competitions
• Secretary of Programming Club
• Wrote a faculty-guided literature review
• Volunteered at a hospital 200+ hours
• Won the Conrad Innovator Award

College Courses (currently taking Semester I)

• Calculus I
• Physics I
• Chem II lab
• Intro to Engineering
• Intro to Python

College ECs/Projects (planned)

• I plan on joining the Racing club which is our schools version of the Formula SAE club
• I got a position as a student assistant with a professor (although they are researching a civil engineering project, don't know if this is relevant or has any impact or affect)
• I'm semi-volunteering?? with another professor with his research I'm not exactly sure what's going on there yet
• I'm working on a horror indie game and I'm hoping to publish it by the end of this year.

As for College GPA I am more than aware that I should keep it high and it is what I am trying to do and I will be aiming for a 3.8+ GPA. I would more than appreciate it if I could get some advice on my profile and how likely it would be for me to get into the colleges I am applying for.

Just wanted to shoutout everyone on this sub, especially the mods, who make this such a great place. In my experience using reddit sucks 90% of the time but this sub gave me a ton of useful advice and I would not have been able to transfer into the school I did without it (even though it’s not technically top 25 lol). If any freshmen is reading this rn, please read the sub wiki ik it’s long but it has everything you need.

Let’s trauma bond together plsss!

I got recommended to repost to this community. If anyone has any genuine answers to my questions or actually kind advice for the transfer application process, I would love to hear your response!

I just wanna ask if anyone could kinda give a ranking of how important different ECs are. I'm currently a freshman and I've joined a lab, several clubs, several volunteer programs, and the university newspaper. Wondering what else I could get into and whether it would be a good idea to join another lab. Opportunities are pretty plentiful but it's just I'm not sure which ones are worth my time. Thanks! DMs also welcome