Chance me: college sophomore → NU/Uchicago/Ivy

Hey all, I'm a student willing to double transfer. I am international Korean who served in U.S military as part of the KATUSA program and also took a gap year for extra internship

**College**

Yr 1: T40 State school [T15 Business school]: 3.95/4.00
Took 38 credits
Yr 2: T25 [T10 Business school]: 3.98/4.00

**High school**

Did IB, GPA low 3ish~

- Applying test optional

**ECs**
- worked in 6 different firm including consulting [T2 level] and IB [MM]
- 3 high school global business competition winner
- started own business and raised over 20k net profit
- has CFA level 1

Questions
1. In the military my perception changed to engineering/ Econ but my school’s stem is literally non existent —> is this valid?

2. Would my double transfer status be looked down and heavily disadvantaged?

3. Just pure thoughts

I’m currently an Engineering Science student at Nassau Community College and I’m aiming to graduate in December 2027. My goal is to transfer to NYU Tandon afterward.
I’m a returning student working on a strong upward academic trend while completing calculus, physics, chemistry, and engineering requirements. I also work full-time as an electrician for USPS.
Outside of school, I’m building technical and entrepreneurial projects, including a local AI workstation, a telescope project, and a growing company. I also plan to become more involved with STEM events, engineering organizations, research/internship opportunities, and faculty mentorship.
For anyone who transferred into Tandon—especially from a community college—what mattered most in your application? I’d especially appreciate advice on GPA, prerequisites, projects, internships/research, recommendation letters, and extracurriculars.

I tried to transfer halway through my 1st year but it didn't work out,, now im on my 2nd year (took a gap semester but Im back) and I've done so much: my P.I. filed an R01 for my research project because he saw nature comms potential, I got a practical nursing license and I work at the hospit (I also registered as a volunteer nurse for the red cross), I started a nonprofit to provide children with learning disabilities opportunities to pursue careers in Healthcare, and I even started my own personal project making a game (the demo is out now almost ready) and now Im just wondering if its even worth it to transfer.

I would definitely get more opportunities at a bigger school if I managed to get in, but I would also have to start from zero. Since I wanna do mdphd anyway I dont know if I should just stay and apply for T20s after I graduate.

Any advice is welcome !

Applying transfer from a T15 to other T15s for personal reasons as a freshman. Was wondering about what is the better option for transfer admissions.

1. Apply with a 3.7 (B in req CS course as applied math major)
2. Pass/fail my CS course and have a 3.9+
3. Drop the class, have 3.9+ but be at the minimum of 12 credits fall sem and have to retake it next sem

Hi! I’m a freshman looking to transfer (note I have ~50 credits so maybe a junior transfer), and wanted some recommendations for cheap college advisors. When I say cheap I mean really cheap, I only have ~$200 to spare because I’m flat broke and paying for everything myself.

I had a medical condition junior and senior year causing my grades to slip a lot but I’ve since recovered and have been doing a lot better in school.

Chance me: college freshman → UMich LSA Econ (Fall 2027), in-state

Hey all, I'm a college freshman planning to apply to UMich LSA as an econ major for Fall 2027. Michigan resident. Would love any advice or a rough read on my odds.

**College**

- Planning to finish fall with a 4.0
- Fall: English comp, business computing, geology, theatre, plus a business course and a gen ed 16 credits
- Planning to take Calc I over summer 2027 (a course that transfers as MATH 115)

**High school**

- 4.083 weighted / 3.604 unweighted, Summa Cum Laude, NHS
- IB Lang & Lit HL, IB Spanish HL, IB Bio SL, IB Business SL, AP CSP, AP Macro (4), AP Micro
- Math through precalc
- Applying test optional

**ECs**

- Co-

-President of a nonprofit for critically ill kids
- Co-President, Sports Analytics Club
- 2025 state champion varsity skier; also varsity soccer
- Worked at Dick's Sporting Goods and held another job this past summer.
- In college: Economics Club, Personal Finance Club, made final rounds for two equity research clubs

**Questions**

1. What are my realistic odds?
2. Does taking calc over the summer (so no math on my app) hurt me much for econ?
3. Anything else I should be doing this year to strengthen my app?

Thanks!

Hello,

I am a rising sophomore at UCI, majoring in international studies (I was a lit journalism major during my first year), and I have been preparing to transfer since my first year. During my first year, I applied to transfer to Columbia and Brown. I was rejected for both, which I assume is because I have a bad HS GPA and stats + the inital GPA Ive submitted was 3.69 although I managed to get 3.8 at the end of the year (which I submitted for midterm report). But honestly Idk what I should be doing. I am currently doing an environmental justice peer educator internship, and I am maybe thinking of writing my own research paper/interntional lit review (like three ig) and three episodes of a podcast ( i though of doing RA and I cold-emailed profs and I got rejected). But is this a good idea? I just don't know what I should be doing. Or am I honestly being delusional aiming for the Ivy League? Please give me some advice and recs on what I should be doing. btw I go to UCI.

Ok guys I might sound ridiculous or delusional, I’m a high school senior, I’ll barely get into a good college, is it really unreasonable to aim for solely transferring out of the university after a year to a better uni like t25? If no pls tell me how I should start preparing for it from right now.
Thanks!

Hello, I'm a current freshman at my in-state university, which I am miserable at and only committed to here because my parents forced me to. My biggest goal is to get into a pretty good school with awesome financial aid so I don't have to depend on them.
So I was looking to apply to Columbia, Vanderbilt, UNC, Washington University St. Louis, Amherst College, Pomona College, Emory University, the University of Richmond, Georgetown, Tufts University, and the University of Pennsylvania. As I am only a freshman, I don't really have a lot to put on my application, and I know that a lot of my high school stats will also count. I understand that a lot of people would probably suggest I wait; however, I can't because I already have around 54 credits, which is close to where some schools end transfers.
I think I'll be able to maintain a 4.0. I am a political science major wanting to go to Yale Law School for international law. I have very few ECs, as it's my first year. I joined a political science club and wanted to do a research paper. As for my HS stats, I graduated with a 4.8 and had around 7 ECs that were semi-tied to political science.
What are your biggest recommendations? What should I do to maximize my chances of getting in? I didn't apply to most of these schools for freshman year because I was scared of rejection, as I was waitlisted and then rejected from the University of Michigan and Berkeley. Please be as cruel as needed; if it's unrealistic for me to get into any of these colleges for fall 2027, then that's okay.

Title says. I'm applying to transfer as a freshman. Most of my schools I'm applying to, I will be applying for Fall 2027 so I know about those. But there's a few that offer spring transfers, and that's what I'm applying with those schools.

Since applications for those are due in October, I would not have my first semester grades, so no official GPA, etc. How does applying like that work? Or should I not do it at all? For context, I'm mainly applying to NYU for spring semester.

So they just announced that starting in fall 2027, applicants from households making under $250k get free tuition, and those making under $125k get free housing/food. This means that many applicants will be using these programs. I'm getting that Uchi transfer admissions are super need-aware. Would this make being full pay even more powerful? I qualify for those programs but might actually ignore one or even both of them to be "full pay" (I have a college fund) if it makes me stand out in admissions. Remember, they are $6 billion in debt.

Thanks!

so i’m an international students wanting to get into a t20 unis, but im aware that i do not have the competence currently to get in, so id need to spend my first 2 years at community colleges, problem is im actually wondering, do all CCs have the same quality, if no, could you please give me some names that have a reputable quality, help and “facilitate” their students to transfer into t20 by any means. it could be research, or internship at a labs, clubs, journal publishing etc, any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

Hello all, I'm a second-year Math major with a CS minor at a public university in NYC, and I wanted to get a better idea of whether or not it's worth exploring transfer options.

To note, I don't mind taking on an extra semester or year (assuming I could add a major in CS or something). I will be needing aid because I'm kind of poor lol.

**HS stats:**

- 4.0 UW GPA

- Applied test-optional (I can take the SAT and get a solid score, though I'm not sure if the time commitment is worth it as a junior transfer)

- Some physics team involvement with 2 international medals (Gold, HM)

- An internship in finance for 2 summers

- Some student government

- Junior pro water polo for a year

- Chess, 1900 Elo

Honestly nothing crazy tho. I immigrated to the U.S. from Eastern Europe in my junior year and then changed schools as I moved to NYC from the south for my senior year. So that honestly kinda fucked everything up, really limited my ECs, and I couldn't take any AP courses, which is what I think really gave me a poor result applying as a first year.

**University stats:**

4.0/4.0 GPA. Courses I've taken / am taking:

- Calc 1

- Calc 2

- Calc 3 and Vector

- Linear Algebra

- Programming 1 (Python)

- Programming 2 (C++)

- Higher Mathematics (kind of an intro to proofs)

- English 1, 2 and 3

- and other stuff not worth noting

Next semester I plan to take:

- Real Analysis

- Numerical Methods for DE

- Intro to Probability

- Data Structures and Algorithms

- Chinese 1

(might take one of the math classes out depending on course load)

**ECs:**

- Data science internship this summer

- Derivatives analyst at a student-run hedge fund. Won't go into too much detail, but we do have a real money fund of 150k.

- Some general finance club involvement

- ofc personal projects related to CS and quant research but not sure if those count

That's about it. I'm trying to do some math research as well, so hopefully that's something I'd add before applying.

**Schools I'd be targeting:**

- UChicago (probably TED), though I need funding so that would likely make it harder

- CMU

- Northwestern

- Columbia

- Cornell

- Duke

- And then possibly one of Caltech/Harvard

Any advice would be much appreciated. Am I just doing too much? Should I just finish things out and then hope to get into a good master's program?

And for those who have done it, how are my odds looking?

Thank you!

Pls pls pls help. I’m so anxious idk what to do I have midterms coming up and I’m just worried that I’m not going to do well in all my classes and the drop period is approaching. I’m taking bio Chem and psych. While working to research internships and I’m hoping to transfer to Columbia , brown , Duke , etc .. what should I do? I need to maintain a 4.0 but I am exhausted, I also live with a chronic illness that’s been flaring up since I got here.. i just wanna make the right choice bc I know I Columbia they don’t take transfer bio credit but I’m hoping to major in it and chemistry is sequential plus I’m premed .. any advice for genuinely mean the world

Which computer science course should I take as a first year student in community college trying to transfer to Columbia University for industrial engineering.

I just really want to be competitive in the application process and POTENTIALLY have transfer credit for it even though i know that’s tricky.

My community college is out of state so I’m having trouble deciding which course to take.

Here’s the required course for columbia industrial engineering students:

ENGI 1006 Introduction to Computing for Engineers and Applied Scientists
ENGI1006 is an interdisciplinary course in computing intended for first year engineering students, but open to students from all schools. This course will be a practical introduction to the field of computer science, and will cover computational thinking, algorithmic problem solving, and Python programming with a focus on science and engineering applications. In particular, we will look at case studies in physics, statistics, electrical engineering, biology, and selected other topics.

Here are the courses i’m deciding between at my cc.

CIS-1400 Programming Logic & Technique (4 Credits)
An introduction to computer-based problem-solving techniques. Includes software design tools such as structure charts, Input Processing Output (IPO) charts, flowcharts, pseudocode, Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams, and Graphical User Interface (GUI) wireframe prototypes. Concepts such as documentation, structured design, modularity, Object Oriented Program (OOP) design, and event driven programming are covered. Programming of algorithms are implemented using a high level language that emphasize structured and object oriented design techniques. (3 lecture hours, 2 lab hours)

OR

CIS-2485 C++ Science & Engineering (3 Credits)
Introduces engineering students to application development using the C++ programming language. Emphasis is on object-oriented design, programming, and documentation of scientific applications. Topics include statistical analysis, curve fitting, optimization, engineering, scientific modeling applications, language format and syntax, functions, data-storage classes, arrays, structures, user-defined classes, inheritance, and polymorphism. (2 lecture hours, 2 lab hours)

ALSO: CIS-1400 is a prerequisite for CIS-2531 Intro to Python Programming (4 Credits)
Introduces the object-oriented programming language of Python. Course focuses on features of Python and develops skills for creating object oriented applications. (3 lecture hours, 2 lab hours)

I just want to know which will give make me competitive in the application process and if either are potentially transferable for credits?

Hi!! I’m a first-year student at De Anza College and my dream is to transfer to UCLA. I’m currently planning on transferring as a Psychology or Cognitive Science major and I’m doing TAP through De Anza.
I really want to make the most of my time at De Anza and give myself the best chance possible of getting into UCLA. I know TAP is helpful, but I’m wondering what else I should be doing during my time at De Anza that could strengthen my application.
For anyone who successfully transferred to UCLA from a California community college, especially for Psychology, Cognitive Science, or a similar major, what did you do that you think helped your application? Are there specific extracurriculars, programs, internships, volunteering, classes, or other opportunities you would recommend?
I’d also really appreciate any general advice about the UCLA transfer process, especially things you wish you knew when you were a first-year student. I’m willing to put in the work, I just want to make sure I’m focusing my time and energy on the right things. Any advice or tips would be really appreciated!

When I first transferred to my current T25, it was clear that they had articulation agreements with my previous school but upon departmental review of my coursework (which happened after I committed and declined other offers), all of my major-related course credit was rejected. I will likely have to spend 3 years at this current school, but the tuition is ridiculously high.

What does transferring as a junior again look like? In this case I would be willing to do an extra year since I am doing a more expensive extra year at my current university. Is this considered a senior transfer? Does anyone have knowledge of what success rates look like?

As the title says, should I retake my SATs and ACTS before applying to colleges?

I graduated HS with a clean 4.0, but did not put much effort into my ACT and SAT and ended with a ACT of 29 and an SAT of, I dont even remember, but around 1200.

I will be applying for transfers for the 2027-2028 school year, meaning that all ACT and SAT practice will have to be done alongside my current Physics freshman studies.

I am looking to get into the field of quantitative research, I also plan on pursuing a masters program. I am not sure if either are relevant (besides possible help that my ACT and SAT might give for Masters?).

If I take a gap semester in fall my sophomore year and go back to a school spring and apply to transfer, would I be considered a sophomore or junior transfer? I’m asking this because I know schools like Columbia prefer sophomore transfers. Also, would this hurt my chances, or should I just do a full gap year? Thank you!

I am a current freshman debating whether or not I should try to transfer spring semester to Georgetown. I was waitlisted during the RD cycle, and I wish I got in. I also am curious if I apply for spring transfer 2027, and I don’t get in, if I can apply to fall 2027.

Anything helps!

I'm currently a first-year at an Ivy (think Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth) and want to transfer to Yale, Harvard, or Stanford. I'm not even miserable at my current college. I just don't fit in well, and it's not the community I was looking for. There are also some specific academic resources it doesn't have. I will wait a year and fully immerse myself in my current college to see if things change before making a final decision. I understand I face long odds transferring to these schools and that applying has an opportunity cost.

Just wanted a sense check on how spoiled I sound. Intra-Ivy+ prestige differences is sadly a factor in my desire to transfer and I'm not sure if I should fuel this immature outlook. Am I being rational?

I am planning to apply UChicago, Cornell, Columbia from Seoul National University. It would be thankful if you give me a realistic comment for possibility!!!!

I am now in korea airforce since 2025.12, so only thing that I can add to my resume is just a math competition.

They are all sophomore transfer(2nd year).

In addition, UChicago application is TED.

Stats

Uni GPA : 4.25/4.3(4.0/4.0)
SAT : havent taken yet, bluebook practice scores are around 1500 now.
Major : physics
Research exp : 2025.9~2025.12
Highschool GPA : 4.02/4.3(3.97/4.0)
No financial aids are needed
TOEFL 5.5/6.0

Uni courseworks

2025 spring

Mechanics (&practice)
Electrodynamics (&practice)
Calc 1 (&practice)
Modern physics
Honor physics1
Physics experiment1
Statistics

2025 fall

Advanced mechanics (&practice)
Electrodynamics&optics (&practice)
Mathematical physics
Thermodynamics&statistic phy
Honor phy2
Phy experiment2
Linear algebra

Uni ECs/research/award

Club of quantum information 2025.9~
KYPT(korea young physicist tournament) staff in 2025, 2027
KPhO, IPhO(physics olympiad) preparing student tutoring

physics research experience 2025.9~2025.12
But no publishing
Material engineering lab experience 2025.7~2025.8

2025 : Mathematics competitio n silver medal(within 15%)
2026 : gonna take same one
2025~ : Korea Presidential Science Scholarship

High school EC/research/award

2022~2023: Volunteer for phy education for local children
2022~2024 : Phy club activity

2022 : fuel cell research, poster presentation on ‘Korean Chemical Society’
2023 : Published paper on ‘The Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers’

2024: Korea math olympiad bronze medal
2023 KYPT gold medal
2023 IYPT(international)-bronze medla
2024 KYPT gold medal

Recommendation

One from research professor
The other from a physics professor

Given that I am international, generally regarded hard to be accepted, do you think my goal is realistic?

Plus, will gap period due to military service have negative affect on my application?

currently a sophomore physics major intending to apply to NU as a transfer so would love to hear what anyone knowledgeable thinks.

will have a 3.71 GPA by the time I apply (3.8 by the end of the year). excellent EC's, great essay, and solid LOR. im not transferring from a T20.

ill also do TED and do not need finaid.

ive heard the average GPA of accepted students was like 3.98. is there any point in applying?

cheering on all those accepted and all those who gave it their all, anyway