College Transfer (Brown, Yale, Harvard): Info on Chances of Success (note: couldn't fit HS info in details box

Question

I have read about the low acceptance rates for transfer into Brown, Yale, or Harvard.
What I would like input on are my chances of admission and suggestions for improvement in activities/ classes/ grades.
I am currently a freshman at Boston College, looking to transfer into Brown, Yale, or Harvard for my sophomore year.
My gpa for the first semester of classes is a 3.766. I took: Biology I, Perspectives (a philosophy and theology class), Calculus II, Biology Lab, and History of Theater.
I took 2 credits more than students usually take. Next semester I am going to overload as well--I'll be taking 3 more credits than usual. My classes will be: Biology 2, Perspectives, Micro Economics, Acting I, Ear Training. Note: perspectives is considered an honors level class.
My ACT scores were:
composite: 33
English: 34
Math: 31
Reading: 34
Science: 31
Combined English/ Writing: 33
Activities: 1st oboe in university winds ensemble, oboe and voice lessons, a gospel choir, a jazz voice group.

edit: In response to dinodino's comment, I didn't apply to any of these schools last year as a high school freshman.
I had some family difficulties in high school (father not available, mother unable to do everyday things because of slipped disks in her back) that detracted my attention from my schoolwork.
I'm taking more credits than usual because I am very interested in both acting and ear training, and these classes seem easy enough to handle along with my other academic courses.
I have made a lot of friends at BC and I make sure to take advantage of free time on the weekends. My primary concern is that this school doesn't offer majors/ minors in directing (theater/ film) and it's music program isn't as good as I would like. (I was especially attracted to the theater and music programs at Yale and Brown.)
I honestly don't feel like BC is a good fit for me. There is a lack of artsy-ness (for lack of a better phrase) and I have found a general lack of enthusiasm for academics here.

Answer 1

Go ahead and try. You have very little chance of getting in, but zero chance if you don't try.

But BTW, what in the world makes you think any of those colleges are a good fit for you if you want to get into acting or ear-training? Harvard, etc will only take you if they have a specialized program you need, and you have qualities they need in their program. It looks like only reason you want to transfer to an Ivy League is reputation alone. Seems like a lousy fit, but all you can do is try.

Answer 2

Your ACT scores are in line with the few who applied to those schools who submitted the ACT (the SATs are preferred), but as I looked at the websites, Yale reports that they take 25-35 transfer students/year, and Harvard took 40 lthis year. Brown didn't report on the numbers. The big problem you face is that without a 4.0, it seems unlikely that you would be able to get into what is an extremely selective process. I'm not being critical; it is obvious that you are very bright, a good student, and very much involved with your music, but it isn't clear what you would bring to the schools to which you are applying, and you sound like a good fit for your current college.

Answer 3

Transferring To Yale

Answer 4

I went to Brown, and I feel like transfer admissions are somewhat easier than freshman admissions, there. I would say you are a reasonable applicant, depending on your high school transcripts. I do question why you think the music program there is a good fit for you -- each person I knew in music hated the dept, and it isn't an especially highly regarded dept and appears underfunded. I'm sure it has its strengths, but all depts in that caliber of school do. I think it would be difficult to use that as your reason for applying to transfer to Brown, so I would try to rethink your reasons before sending in an app. I am under the impression that Har'ard (I'm missing a key on my computer) is in a similar situation regarding music, since two of my friends, who are regarded as "young composers to watch" and able to support themsel'es already w/ music both left Har'ard b/c of the insufficient program.

Yale, on the other hand, has an extremely respected music program. If you are applying there on the basis of music, I would make sure you are of the right caliber AND offer a lot of other strengths in your application--they see so many great musicians apply that your oboe skills, alone, will probably not be sufficient to make you stand out.

It kind of sounds to me like you need to rethink your real reasons for picking the schools you are applying to. If your real reasons are unhappiness and/or need for a stronger music program, you probably need to re-think your application list and/or make sure you make a more compelling list of reasons to transfer.

Again, as a Brown alum, I don't think it's your grades that are going to hurt you...it's other aspects of how you present your application. At BC I would find it much more likely that you are making a step only to a slightly better program BUT that the conser'ati'e atmosphere of BC was a problem, for instance. If you do it the other way around, you will need to explain why you put in the effort before to apply to a school that didn't ha'e the programs you wanted, also; so think up an answer to that.

Good Luck

Answer 5

Yale and Harvard both accept transfers, but adnmission is generally considered more selective than freshamn admissions.

Have you considered the U of Chicago. They used to accept a fairly large number of transfers and it is certainly an intellectual school with good opportunities for music perfrmance, but no degree in perfomance.

Answer 6

Personally I think you are wasting your time thinking you can transfer. They didn't accept you in the first place and they take none or few transfers. Boston College is a very good school and the Ivy's tend to be overrated. Why do you think overloading yourself with credits will make any difference? All that shows is that you are a grind with no personal life, why don'y you relax a little and enjoy the college experience...life is to short

Answer 7

I remember reading somewhere that Yale doesn't accept transfer students. You may be out of luck there. You might have a shot at Brown. Good luck.

Answer 8

Go for it. You have nothing to lose by trying. Just try.