Expert: Bruce - 5/26/2008

Question
I recently completed my freshman year at the University of Iowa.  As an English major, I carried a 4.0 in both semesters.  I also excelled in a variety of extracurricular activities (I wrote for a few campus literary magazines, worked on the newspaper and at the radio station, served in student government, and starred on the debate team.)  I'm spending my first semester of sophomore year abroad in Italy.  I want to transfer after sophomore year to a top-tier private college (preferably the Ivy League), but unfortunately I hold a GED instead of a high school diploma and I never took the SAT (though I would be willing to.)  What are my chances of transferring to an A-list college?  Thanks

Answer
Hi Richard,

Seems to me like you have a pretty decent shot at transfering to a prestige college. Be sure to have a variety of those schools in the mix, though, since the Ivys are tough to make even for people with great credentials like yours.

I wouldn't worry too much about not having the SAT or a traditional HS diploma (were you homeschooled?). Having a different sort of resume can actually help you with the elite colleges.

It would be good for you to start making inquiry now with your target schools, since it may be harder to take care of thigns from abroad and you will have fall deadlines. Most colleges have a transfer admission specialist, and I would start there.

You should get your recommenders lined up right away, too, and have Iowa transcripts sent to the schools you may apply to. If any of these colleges say they'll want an ACT or SAT, plan to get that taken care of this summer.

I'm a northeasterner, and I would say that in addition to Ivys you might want to place Hamilton, Colgate, Bowdoin, University of Rochester, Swarthmore, Carlton, NYU and Skidmore on your list.

Best wishes to you,

Bruce