Do I have any shot at transferring to an Ivy League school?

College Running

9 years ago 12/17/2014 10:48pm EST

I apologize for bringing up a topic that has already been discussed numerous times, but I just thought I would post my specific situation to see if anybody could help. I am currently a freshman at a school that is in the 80s-90s on the US News Top 100. I got a 3.4 college GPA for the first semester (honestly should have been higher, but it is what it is). My current team is on the lower end of D1, and I'm just not happy with my school or team. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I am someone who thrives when I am challenged, and I feel like I am not getting challenged enough at my current university, neither academically nor athletically. I made the mistake of getting lazy earlier in the semester, which is why I ended up with a lower GPA than I expect of myself, but I want to make sure that never happens again. While this mistake was certainly my fault, I hope to go to a school where I am challenged more. Anyway, my Academic Index coming out of high school was 207. I had a 3.22 unweighted GPA at a very good high school, and a GPA of 31 (superscore was 33, not sure if that means anything). I have PRs of 4:25 in the 1600, 9:39 in the 3200, and 15:29 in a track 5k. My goals for the upcoming spring season would be the equivalents of 4:18, 9:26, and 15:00. My main question is just whether these things would give me a chance at an Ivy or similar caliber academic school. I know Princeton and Stanford are likely out of reach athletically, but I would still be happy at a school with at least a decent team. Thanks for any help!

9 years ago 12/17/2014 10:59pm EST

re: IvyHopeful

9 years ago 12/18/2014 12:23am EST

re: IvyHopeful

both your high school and college gpa are too low.

why do you want to transfer to an Ivy? what other schools are you considering? in all honestly, based on your grades, you would probably struggle academically at an ivy and probably regret transferring to one.

9 years ago 12/18/2014 6:15am EST

re: IvyHopeful

IvyHopeful wrote:I know Princeton and Stanford are likely out of reach athletically,

Princeton doesn't allow transfers anyway.

9 years ago 12/18/2014 6:24am EST

re: c parker

c parker wrote:, based on your grades, you would probably struggle academically at an ivy and probably regret transferring to one.

^^self-important twit alert

9 years ago 12/18/2014 7:47am EST

re: IvyHopeful

You are currently far from Ivy material.

You can change that over the next 18 months.

You can transfer to at least some Ivies after your sophomore year.

Next year at this time, with 2 consecutive semesters of 4.0 and some good recommendations from Profs, you can make the type of jump you are talking about.

You need to get to work, nothing but A's. The classes are going to get harder but you have to do more. It would help if you can get the A's while working in a lab or doing the grunt work for a social science Prof. Keep running, but that is not what will allow you to make the jump you outline.

Like I keep telling my kids, admissions, and getting a job after, is not about how little you can do to be the last one they admit. It is about doing your best. Good luck

9 years ago 12/18/2014 7:51am EST

re: IvyHopeful

Stay where you are for another year, or at least through the next fall semester. Show a continuing rise in GPA. Show that, in this coming spring, you've hit the goals you listed.

Be ready to answer the question, "Why do you want to transfer here?" "My current school sucks" is not a useful answer; you need to be able to articulate why you've chosen your *target* school(s)--in other words, you need to show some *positive* reason for the transfer, and the more particular the reason (a specific academic program, etc.), the better.

If you hit your targets (academic and athletic) and can show a good *positive* reason for transferring, you might have a decent shot at a few schools. Don't expect a coach's boost--even your goal times probably won't get you one of those--but I'd certainly think you'd have a shot at being accepted on a strictly academic basis.

My frank advice is to have a more positive attitude toward your current school/team. If you have to talk yourself into that, then do it! To transfer, you're going to need helpful letters of recommendation, and you're not going to get those with a negative attitude. LOOK FOR THE GOOD WHERE YOU ARE--and either you'll be more satisfied with your current situation, or you'll have more help (LORs, etc.) in getting to a better one.

Good luck.

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Do I have any shot at transferring to an Ivy League school?

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