Many people are under the impression that Ivy League transfer admissions will not accept community college transfer students. This rumor started partially because some universities do not accept any transfer students into certain programs or fields. The reality, however, is that you can transfer to Ivy League universities from community college. The path may seem improbable, but with the right effort and a community college guide, you will be on your way to acceptance. If you are considering transferring to Ivy League from community college, you should start preparing as early as possible.
The following are a few steps that can be taken to help with your transfer:
Grades
Grades earned in community college are one of the significant components of the transfer process. Grades help admissions officers evaluate a student's consistent effort because GPA is made up of a combination of homework, classwork, projects, and test scores. This is only the first step, so don't get too comfortable if you're rocking your GPA. While having high grades will definitely give students a competitive edge, even students with perfect grades are sometimes not admitted to an Ivy League school for a variety of other reasons. To have the best application possible, it is important to study and work hard to achieve high marks. Every opportunity should be taken to improve grades and to gain the best academic education possible.
Standardized Testing
Standardized testing is also be an important figure. Although not all Ivy League universities assign the same weight to these tests, they are still a recognized indicator of testing ability, critical thinking and knowledge. If you didn't earn an impressive score on the SAT's when you took them in high school, you did not blow your only chance. Definitely consider retaking your SAT's in community college.
Extracurricular Activities
Volunteer work and extracurricular activities are very important when enrolled in a community college. Ivy League schools look for students who have taken personal initiative to pursue academic interests and help the community. This can mean performing volunteer work with a local community center, or it might mean joining an honor society in community college. Admissions officers will be looking for leadership and character in these types of associations. Exceptional students can definitely benefit from performing some type of professional work or research in a particular field of study.
Application Essay
This essay can help make a difference by making you stand out where grades cannot. Some students who are trying to get into a competitive program like a master of business administration (MBA) will turn to an MBA essay consulting professional for advice. The essay should show a firm understanding of the field being studied and should chronicle in a very brief way any hardships that had to be overcome. An Ivy League college will be looking for markers that indicate leadership, intelligence, and future potential.
Recommendations
Recommendations provided by teachers and employers are another factor that admission officials consider. These should be written by professionals who have some stature in the college or community. The person writing the recommendation should know the student very well on a personal and academic level. A recommendation letter provides a professional assessment of a student that admission officials will trust. It is also one area where the applicant has no control over content. A good recommendation from a respected teacher, community leader or administrator can make a large difference. Admissions officers will appreciate any insight giving from someone who knows the applicant from a school setting.
To learn more about going from community college to Ivy League, check out our guide that has helped other students transfer from community college to top universities.