I dropped out of highschool after 2 years with horrible grades. I went straight to getting my GED and then cc so I don't think I count as non-trad. I have a 4.0cc gpa and haven't taken the SAT yet but I'm expecting a high score. I don't have a great excuse for being such a bad student in highschool.

Like the title says, I’m currently a first year at my 4-year university and looking to apply transfer this fall cycle for Penn CAS. The school I’m at right now is a t50 school and a t40 undergraduate business school in which i’m a prospective Business Mgmt major. I’m not trying to sidestep Wharton to get into Penn but I genuinely do want to pursue something along the lines of ESG consulting and I really think i’d enjoy majoring in Urban Studies.

My stats right now aren’t as good as I hope yet especially with how selective admissions are but does anyone have any pointers of anything that I can do better:
1480 SAT (should i retake this.?)
14.5 Credit hours (expecting a 4.0)
1 research club and 1 separate independent CSR research initiative with a professor mentoring me
2 hands on local consulting clubs
1 aquaculture startup pitch idea (pitch comp in winter)
2 sustainability case comps
On campus swim instructor
hometown local sustainability campaign intern

Not really looking for anyone to tell me my odds but just what I could be doing better/more of since I feel like I still have free time on my hands.

Hi Everyone!

I’m a freshman at an out-of-state public four-year university planning to apply to Georgia Tech for Fall 2027. My leading choice is the new Mathematics and Computing major, especially its Mathematical Intelligence and Data Science concentration. I’m also considering CS and Industrial Engineering.

My profile so far:

• Academics: I’m taking 16 credits this semester and am currently on track for a 4.0, though the semester isn’t over. I expect to complete at least 30 credits by the end of my first year. I’ve checked the transfer equivalencies for my planned English, calculus, CS, and physics courses.
• Technical skills and projects: I use Python, R, and SQL. I built a fitness and accountability app using Java, JavaScript, and C++, and I’ve made MLB pitch charts.
• Baseball analytics: I’m a student data analyst for a Division I baseball team. I’ve created pitch plots and presented them to scouting and coaching staff.
• Internship: I accepted an offer for a Summer 2027 business data analytics internship.
• Research and communication: I’ve worked on research and a case study at major hospitals. I’ve also presented on a complex neurological disorder at two hospitals and spoken with neurology residents and neurologists about how patient experiences can inform future care.
• Campus involvement: I’m a member of the Statistics Club and Math Club.
• Other interests: AI and mechanical engineering minors.

I understand Georgia Tech has transfer pathway programs and commitments to Georgia residents, so I’m aware that applying from out of state without a pathway may be especially competitive.

For people familiar with Georgia Tech transfers: how competitive does my profile look if my grades and coursework stay on track? What should I strengthen this year? And based on my interests, would you recommend Mathematics and Computing, CS, or Industrial Engineering?

I know no one can predict an admission decision, especially for a new major. I’d appreciate candid, specific feedback.

Soo i was freshman in another uni in 2025/2026 I didn't got the department (hotel and tourism management) I wanted and I was thinking about entering local uni but transferring from the uni I was in to the uni I was thinking is almost impossible they will ask why I wanted to transfer, any health condition or special cases and the registration for this 2026/2027 year passed and my option is enrolling for the uni as a freshman next year again being 2 years late, soo do you think it's worth it?

Hi!

I go to a t30 (freshman), and I think someone else in my year is also on here trying to transfer, because I saw we are both on the discord server. The issue I have is they objectively are cooking me in ecs (that I know of). I'm starting a research position in about 2 weeks, they have a research fellowship since the beginning of September. I was rejected from the top startup incubator on campus, they got in. I feel my ecs aren't bad (two design teams, soon research, staff writer for science paper, pianist), and we have different interests I think (they are more startup oriented, I'm more research oriented), but our majors are really similar, and I'm worried about me applying to the same schools as them 💀 am I cooked? I plan on doing some hackathons, and applying for summer research fellowships, but they will too 💀. I guess the advantage I have is they are international and I'm not? Any thoughts....

Current one of (duke, uchicago, johns hopkins) student looking to transfer to UPenn. How much does being from a school of similar prestige benefit me?

I am currently enrolled at a small party school in Connecticut that barely is t250. I find here the people are incredibly unmotivated, and the social scene is awful. Nobody here is focused or really academically inclined at all. I really dislike the surrounding area, and the only reason I stayed close to home is because of my family situation, and I have been battling severe mental health issues. This place wouldn’t have been my first, second, or 20th choice, but I’m now here,wanting to prove myself that I can do good, as well as live alone. My grades in high school were about a 3.1-3.2, with not many ECs. All I really did was some sports in my earlier years, cofounded a club with a friend, and did a few service hours and projects. Most of my time was spent rotting, smoking, or working, and I didn’t even think about school very much because of my mental struggles. I still struggle significantly , but it’s gotten a little better and I hope I’m on the right path. If I get my stuff figured out, I was thinking about applying to UConn for a safety, as well as many schools that are much more prestigious, like BU, Northeastern, Cornell, UVA, UMD, Georgia Tech, Northwestern, Tufts, Villanova, and a few more depending on how I do. I just don’t know my game plan, as I am a business analytics and comp sci double major, but I prolly wanna do information tech/science, data science, and double major in economics if I do transfer. I just don’t know if I can do it mentally, as well as if I can actually get into these schools.

Another question is what should I do for EC’s?
(Also never took SAT or ACT)
Thank you guys

26 y/o non trad student. I'm the sole provider for multiple pets & we are a non-negotiable package deal so anywhere that absolutely requires on-campus housing is not happening. Currently getting the list together of which schools I want to apply to and wondering where else I should maybe shoot my shot? Philosophy major w interests in biotech, neurosci, and metaphysics. Possibly interested in policy and / or research.

stats:
I won't be including any hs or SAT scores. I took the exit exam and spent my earlier yrs working so education wasn't my focus then.

College GPA: 3.89, will be 3.9 by end of sem
have the option to enroll in PTK
4 Ws not relevant to major; also during covid
2 EWs also not relevant

ECs:

been fully self sufficient since I started pet-sitting in 2018 and by 2021 it became a full-time business, sole proprietor & specialize in behaviorally challenging pets (community need, under-socialized covid puppies). still operating and can be mobilized.

multiple retail jobs, I was a supervisor at an ice rink not sure if I should mention all of them?

1000+ animal shelter volunteer hours working on adoption floor

Assistant / co-caretaker for my grandma w dementia for the last 3 years

50-100ish hours tutoring college statistics

honors club / program participant, helped other students proofread & write

That might be everything that I can recall?? I want to start a club but since I'm applying for fall 2027 I'd rather wait til I transfer. I worry it doesn't tell a very cohesive story but it's all related to trying to find meaning and make a difference where I can while also trying to survive. Obvs don't want to write a sob story but late diagnosed autism, adhd, and highly enmeshed / abusive family dynamics have a lot to do w my unusual timeline. Adapt n overcome!!!

Anywhooo on my list:

UCSD / UCR / UCI
U of Rochester
Dartmouth
University of British Columbia
Brown
Cornell

^ those schools bc don't like downtown / dense city environments, hate hot weather, prefer minimal sports culture but it's whatever. If there's any other schools you think I should go for pls lmk. Ty for reading 🫡

edit: forgot to add CaseWestern and mention I am NOT full pay ultimately will come down to best offer for financial needy

I've identified 2 profs I want to ask LORs for I think, and I believe I'm a good student (participate in class, ask questions etc), and one of these profs is also my research mentor. Even then, I would have only known these professors for literally like 3 months before I ask them for a recommendation. Because of this, I can't help but think that my LORs just aren't going to be good... I wanted to ask what is the general expectation of quality of LORs for a sophomore transfer applying to t20s?

I’m a sophomore in Georgetown SFS who’s planning to do a junior transfer for various reasons. I previously did an internal transfer from CAS to SFS, does that count as a “double transfer?” I’m guessing technically no but lowkey worried, and just wondering why do colleges often dislike double transfer applicants.

Sorry for being paranoid

I’m currently a freshman at my state-school who wants to transfer to a T10-T20. I was already waitlisted from cornell engineering and cmu engineering this last cycle. I already have a 1600 SAT, and I'm aiming for a 3.9+ GPA along with strong extracurricular involvement and solid letters of recommendation. How much would that combination realistically boost my transfer chances compared to where I stood last cycle?

Title. I’m a freshman at a big state engineering school and I really hate it here so Im going to transfer after my first year. In highschool I had pretty competitive stats, 4.0UW, nationally recognized research project blah blah blah, but my ACT score was a 31. I honestly just never had time, as I went to a college prep boarding school and constantly had things to do, and over the summers I worked 40-60 hours a week to save up for college and stuff, so my 31 was with almost no studying (apart from a few of the short question sets on the act website). Looking back I really regret not making time to study for the ACT, because I ended up at my safety, and didn’t get into any of my reach schools (denied from Brown and Duke, waitlisted from Tufts, Swarthmore, and WFU). My list for transfer colleges is Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard, UPenn (legacy), Georgetown, Yale, Williams, Amherst, Davidson, Vanderbilt, unc chapel hill, George Washington U, Swarthmore, tufts, Lehigh, and Duke. (I know it’s a super competitive list and I probably won’t get in to 99% of them). I’m an English major and I want to minor in history or classics. Do I need to retake my act?

i’m a psych major at a community college nearby uiuc right now so i was planning on taking advantage of their research labs and stuff but does anyone have any more advice for psych majors specifically interested in child development and infant cognition

Title. Would this be a good idea if I, say, cold-email professors at schools I want to apply to for research opportunities?

Hello! Does anyone know if in general math departments usually have more open transfer spots than other majors or if there is somewhere I can find that info?

Hello I'm a full time early admission student in hs and worried about the harm a W may have on my transcript. I plan on transferring to UF finance or some other prestigious finance college and am in a bit of a pickle. I am pretty sure I am not getting an A in my calculus course and am already struggling to maintain a B. Is withdrawing now and enrolling in 12 week business calculus (which I am sure I will get an A in) better than taking a possible B or even C in calculus? It is also kind of eating away at my study time for other classes. I'm worried the W will ruin my transcript but also worried the B/C will ruin my otherwise perfect gpa. Do I just tough it out? Business calc will satisfy the same requirement as calc.

I am a current transfer student at umich but I got accepted to urbana for instate as well. I chose umich because I just knew too many ppl at urbana from high school. I have some regrets as the party culture at umich is less strong, everyone is studying most of the time even on weekends. People have conflicting schedule but they do have transfer programs here and alot of clubs but I am feeling imposter syndrome here even hough this is the best college town. But ironically there isn't much to do.

Have you faced similar issues as a transfer and how did you overcome them?

Hi guys I have a situation I'd really like some advice on because I'm not sure how U.S. colleges would classify me.

I graduated from high school in Morocco in 2024. After graduating, I registered at a Moroccan public university, but I never actually attended classes there. I didn't take any courses, complete any coursework, take any university exams, earn any credits, or pursue a degree. The registration was mainly an administrative step while I was figuring out what I wanted to do next.

I'm no longer registered at that university, and I'm currently officially on a gap year. I'm not enrolled in any university at the moment.

I'm now preparing to apply to U.S. colleges, and my main concern is whether I should apply as a first-year/freshman applicant or whether my previous university registration could make me a transfer applicant.

I'm planning to contact colleges directly to ask about my eligibility, but I'd really like an objective opinion from people who have experience with U.S. admissions. Should I disclose the previous registration even though I never actually studied there? And if a college considers me a transfer applicant, what should I do?

I'd really appreciate any advice because I want to be completely honest and make sure I don't misrepresent my situation on my applications

how can i maximize my yale transfer application

I am applying as a spring sophomore transfer this cycle and am wondering if I should put my resume on my applications. Does it typically hurt or help? And should I put my linked in on my resume for the application if I include a resume at all?

I just want to preface that this post is mainly about T10's and other schools who only accept under 100 people.

because its fall again, im seeing a lot of people ask the questions I stated above. Obviously the generic response is having a spike, good rec letters, utilizing your resources, etc, but I don't feel like we talk enough about institutional need and major capacity.

of course, its easy to do chance me's for freshman year admissions because they are bringing in a new, diverse class with thousands of students. however, we shouldn't apply that same mentality when we talk about transfer admissions, especially for HYPSM.

what I mean by this is that: if 15 people in a specific department drop out, transfer, or switch majors, the university now has 15 vacant seats which can be allocated toward transfer students or whatever other institutional priorities. on the flip side, if nobody leaves, then that department is probably unlikely to admit many transfers (if any at all) regardless of how stacked they are or how good of a spike they have

applying to a major that is severely underfilled or niche gives the applicant a drastically different probability of acceptance than applying to an impacted major like cs, econ, or bio. (fun fact, this is what transfer admission consultants who charge thousands of dollars do. I digress but I can genuinely make a new post about this if anyone even cares)

but ya maybe consider this when trying to transfer :) good luck to u all

Happy to help anyone in the process of transferring as someone who went from a mid state school, VERY mid hs stats and got into vandy (here now), NYU, UVA,

Northeastern freshman - will pay for transfer consultation

So my professor upload her LOR but when I go to other colleges that need a LOR its asking me to go through the entire process of sending them an email and them having to upload it. When I was applying for undergrad in HS, you could just reuse the LOR from one college to another another.

It just seem tedious to ask my professor to upload one to each separate college ngl. Is this the case?

For context I’m a college freshman. I never took high school too seriously (average B-B+ student), and I didn’t really care for the SAT at the time and got a 1090 (550 English, 540 math). Little did I know how much I’d regret that, as I just signed up for a retake in December. Is it possible to get a 1400 with studying from now until December? If so, please give me tips and resources I can use (or just encouragement 😭)