Is it worth it to transfer?

Current incoming sophomore at semi-target (Vanderbilt, Emory, WashU, etc). Finished w/ a 3.75, took upper-level, challenging ECON courses, got into premier investment club, and hold 1 other leadership position. Have a couple of specific and general questions targeted at any kid who transferred up or from professionals/recruiters who can shed some light on to the optics.

(1) what are the logistics (is the only time to apply next spring for F’23? How does this impact recruiting szn? How will recruiters react if I listed “incoming UChicago Student” on resume during recruitment?)
(2) what are possible target schools given my profile? I was thinking I’d throw applications at Cornell, UChicago, Dartmouth Columbia, and maybe Duke. Any other smart colleges to add? Would transferring to any of these colleges be “worth it?”
(3) how is the social adjustment? How do current students view transfer kids? How seamless is the transition? Is it easy to get into investment/finance clubs as a transfer?

For more personal details, I’m more or less content with my current college experience, but feel like there’s more out there. I haven’t made too many close connections, so I wouldn’t be leaving that much behind. Any insight or personal anecdotes would be greatly appreciated.

 

Super helpful, thx. Hypothetically could bump it up to 3.83 (best case scenario). Does that change anything? Any other schools I could consider that would be in this 3.75-3.83 range (that would be better than Vandy/Emory/WashU?) Have good EC’s and am an athlete too.

 

You seem like you're in a good spot at WashU. I have some older friends that went there and from what I've heard they place pretty nicely. I guess that doesn't help considering you're discontent with the social aspect…but I would highly recommend against transferring after sophomore year

Edit: lol sorry didn’t realize you said a school like WashU. Nonetheless you’ll place if you want it from those schools considering you’re an athlete with good Ec’s too

 
Most Helpful

I am a rising junior who already signed an SA offer and will be transferring to a low target from a non-target (well respected but not in finance), so I will shed some light for you. 

1) Typically apps for most top schools close around March with the latest being NYU closing April 1st. Best to work on apps over winter break If you will be transferring after finishing up your sophomore year, it will have no impact, and will provide no benefit for SA recruiting because of how late you hear back from schools. I am still waiting on half of my decisions mainly from the ivies, and by the time I hear back from the rest, the recruitment cycle will be all but over. I will add that acceptance rates are down big time this year due to an influx of application from people taking gap years and lower acceptance rates in Covid and I would expect that to carry over some that year.

Some schools do spring transfer as well with notably fewer spots and lower acceptance rates, but this would allow you to attend before applications open. Though you would not have any GPA to show and limited time to network.

2) Transfer applications to top schools are extremely competitive, more so than freshman apps because schools are only looking for specific students that really round out their class, and replace the students that they lost for whatever reason. And if I am being honest with you, a 3.75 is stretching it for a lot of these schools unless you have extremely strong ECs, excellent essays, and a great reason for transferring. Being from a competitive school will help, but I am not sure how much. 

As for potential schools, I think it depends on if application fees are an issue. Personally I don't think it would be worth it to transfer to a slightly better target such as going from Vandy --> Northwestern. So, I would really limit it to top schools. Dartmouth is a big stretch with a 3.75(accepted 43 transfers last year). UChicago is hell on earth, and is extremely stingy with credits so if you do transfer there is a good chance they wont give you enough to finish in 2 years so whatever you do, do not do ED here. Cornell's acceptance rate is inflated because of transfer options (it is not really 17%), but it is still slightly less selective than other ivies. Duke prefers lateral transfers from similarly ranked colleges, so if you are at Vandy, duke might be a great bet. Columbia likes non-trad students, but you will still have an acceptance on par with Penn as a non-trad. If you have a fee waiver, or can afford the fees, might as well apply b/c transfer is more of a shit show than freshman apps.

Additional note on Cornell. They admit by school and CAS is always the most competitive (besides Dyson) with the most applicants. ILR on the other hand has a much higher acceptance rate and similar recruiting compared to an Econ applicant in CAS. 

Other potential schools you could add are Georgetown (McDonough or Econ), UVA (35% but favors Virginia CC students), Penn(slightly less selective than other ivies with a whopping 5%), Amherst (~6% if you are into the who LAC thing), Brown (same as Penn), UC Berkeley (Heavily favors Cali CC students), Notre Dame (Can't transfer as a junior into the business school, so not sure if econ is worth it) 

Overall, this would be my list, in no particular order, if fee waivers don't matter. Penn, Cornell, Columbia, Dartmouth, Brown, Duke, Georgetown, UVA, Amherst, UCB, Notre Dame?. HYPS are a waste of time in your position with sub 1% acceptance rates.

3) Millage varies from person to person. Some schools try really hard to integrate transfer students, some really couldn't care. It is on you to join clubs and sports that you enjoy and meet people. Joining a business frat would help with this and if you have an SA offer before transferring they will take you. Same with other finance/investment clubs.

And the big question is it worth it to transfer? That depends. I chose to because, I felt my school was too big for me and the long term career benefits of transferring from a non-target to a target would be noticeable. For you, I am not sure the same can be said for you unless you transfer to an ivy. If you are transferring for personal reasons and think a fresh start will then yes it is worth it, but if you are just transferring for prestige, you will have a hard time writing compelling transfer essays and really won't gain much over your current college (unless you strike out with recruiting).

 

Wow- really appreciate your detailed and thorough thoughts. Hit all my big pointers. Was completely unaware of the current environment and that a 3.75 isn't good enough. Would my decent EC's + athlete status help? Thx again, but will likely not transfer given the layout you just provided. Once again, thank you.

 

Yes student athlete status helps and makes up for some of the GPA. I know someone who played d1 golf and transferred to an Ivy with okay stats, because the golf coach wanted him on the team. If you can compete at that level, ask the coach of whatever sport If you don't compete at that level, it will still help and make up for some of your gpa, but still on the lower end of a lot of acceptances.

 

It really isn't that hard to break in from those schools you listed if you put the work in. They're all good schools that place a solid number of people each year.If you're generally a good student / normal and have a competitive resume, you can land a great bank from those semi-targets. Something to consider before making the big decision to transfer.Obviously, if you are transferring because you hate it there and want out, then disregard my entire message lol.

 

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