I want to transfer into an Ivy League school from another college, will they look at my high school record?

Question

Do they look at your high school transcript, SATs/ACTs?

Answer 1

Your chances aren't very good.

Most of the Ivy League schools accept few -- if any -- transfers. Princeton accepts none. Harvard accepted about 70 last year -- about double the usual amount. They will only accept 30 or so this year.

Most transfer students are coming from highly rated colleges -- where they could not major in their interested area. For example, someone going to a great liberal arts college like Williams may transfer so he can do engineering or science. It would be hard to transfer from a school that is not well regarded, and nearly impossible from a community college.

Cornell is your best bet (especially if you are applying for the state supported parts of the university -- like the Ag School or the Engineering program), as they accept more transfer students than any of the other Ivy League schools.

The will be less interested in your HS transcript than your college transcript -- but will still want to see it. I suspect that they will be interested in your SATs.

Answer 2

Most transfers college-to-college involve sending absolutely everything you've got on file with the records office where you are now...so if your HS transcript was in your application forms for your present college, any transfer documents will include the whole package. Your good grades etc. where you are now will make you shine, but whoever you used to be will still be On File Forever!

Answer 3

short and sweet answer: YES!


even if your grade are fab in college, they will still look at your HS record. this isn't necessarily a bad thing though - lots of college's and universities seek steady improvement.

Answer 4

Most likely unless you are applying to graduate school. Then they may rely on your college GPA if they are good and you are attending a competitive school.