I'm currently a high school senior going to a highly competitive high school and I think my chances of making it into a target school is very low. I'm average at best at my school. I will most likely make it into non targets, but I don't know if I should commit to a non target or go to CC for 1 year and transfer into a better school like UCLA, NYU, etc. What would be the better option?
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Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some key considerations for your decision:
Community College (CC) to Target Path:
Non-Target to Target Path:
Key Factors to Consider:
Advice for Success:
Ultimately, both paths can lead to success if you are strategic and put in the effort. If you’re unsure, applying broadly to both non-targets and CC-friendly transfer schools could give you more options to decide later.
Sources: Community College To PE, I Transferred Schools for Investment Banking, Worth Attempting to Transfer from Semi-Target to Target?, The Case for Choosing a Non-Target
Your university has a massive impact on your prospects. Definitely do what it takes to get a target.
Either CC or actually some students switch once they’ve already started I believe? I’m less familiar with those processes so go figure out the best way that works for you.
Thank you for responding! I believe I could go to a non-target and try to transfer into a target from there, so that in case I don't get accepted anywhere good from the non-target I'm going to I will have still started to network there rather than wasting a year.
I did CC->semi target and broke into S&T. Thing is, you'll need to spend extra time in college. You can't transfer in as a junior and recruit. A lot of sophomore transfers broke into IB/S&T/ER and some PE/HF, but almost no junior transfers did so. Timeline is too compressed.
Thank you for responding! So, for my situation, I will most likely be a junior transfer since I already have a lot of college credits. Do you think it would be smart to double major or do a major and minor to extend my time at whatever school I decide to transfer into??
You can always just apply as a sophomore. When I was applying, I just did extra time at my college after transferring. It bumps a few schools off your list, namely Columbia and UChicago as they don't allow time extensions, but it's your best bet.
I'm also a CC student looking to transfer and do S&T, would love to talk. PM'd you
Are semi targets off the table? There are plenty of non-T20 schools that actually place quite well. Some of the more expensive private schools, or a couple of the state schools etc have very strong IB-specific programs even if the rest of the school isn't as highly ranked.
The transfer rate at top targets is basically nil, and many of the "reported" number of transfer spots go to athletes. NYU Stern transfer acceptance rate is like 2%. UCLA will be higher % rate, although you apply directly into a major so that will be a very competitive applicant pool.
But to answer your actual question, I would probably take a non target over a CC if you can swing the price difference.
Thank you for your response! I am considering semi targets if you consider UCSD, UCSB, and UW-Madison as semi targets, but besides that I wouldn't say I have any other semi targets on my list. Are their any colleges you would recommend? My full list is UCLA, UC Berkeley, UCSD, UCSB, NYU (early descison), USC, UW-Madison, and maybe Columbia or UPenn.
East coast LACs usually place decently. Those schools aren't bad, but the geography makes it really tough if you're going for NYC.
I'd look at the semi target or high non target list on here.
Off the top of my head schools like Boston College, SMU, UGA, UF, Penn State all have slightly higher acceptance rates and reliably solid placement. These schools often have special IB prep programs or student funds that are pipelines. If you are as competitive as your school list implies you are, I'd add schools like Duke, Notre Dame, Georgetown, UVA as reaches.
Agree with the other comment, the smaller UCs just don't have the reach to place into NY as frequently
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