To Transfer or not to transfer (from suny)

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a freshman Physics major at SUNY Stony Brook seeking advice on transferring to a more prestigious university, specifically aiming for UPenn. The student has a strong academic background, including a GPA of 3.85 and a track record of high AP scores. They are looking for schools that offer generous financial aid and are concerned about the impact of their current institution on future graduate school applications. The student is also interested in scholarships for physics and math majors.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of transfer application processes for universities
  • Familiarity with financial aid options and scholarships
  • Knowledge of academic performance metrics (GPA, AP scores)
  • Insight into graduate school admissions criteria in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research financial aid opportunities at UPenn and similar institutions
  • Explore scholarship options specifically for physics and math majors
  • Investigate transfer application requirements for top 10 graduate programs in physics
  • Utilize college admissions forums and websites for personalized advice on transfer chances
USEFUL FOR

Prospective transfer students, particularly those in STEM fields, academic advisors, and individuals seeking financial aid information for higher education.

LBloom
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Hi everybody. I'm a freshman Physics major at SUNY Stony Brook and I have a few qus about transferring out of here. Stony Brook is a good school, but it was my safety school (got into Boston College honors but not enough aid) and I'm going here for financial reasons. It's the best university in terms of physics I could afford, but i know I could be at a better university. Anyway, I want to transfer to a school that will be generous in terms of financial aid, so I was hoping I could get some advice on what schools I could get into that won't leave me w/ too much debt. I hope to get in for spring of 2011. I was originally going to try for fall of 2010, but i realized i could probably get better LOR from my later classes that arent intros.

Here's my courses

Freshman:
Physics B (part of a three semester track. Got credit for other 2 in HS)
Calculus III w/ apps
News Literacy
Writing 102
Sch 101 (BS intro class for scholars students)

Modern Physics (sophomore level)
Computation for Physics and Astro (277)
Calculus IV (Mat 305)
Math Logic language and Proof (mat 200)
Film History
Sch 102 (slightly less bs intro class about US legal cases)

Sophomore
Phy 301: Electromagnetic Theory
Phy 303: Mechanics
Mat 211: Intro to Linear Algebra
Mat 341: Applied Real analysis
Elective haven't yet decided on

In terms of clubs, I'm currently active in Oxfam, College Democrats, Society of Physics Students, and Hillel.
In HS i took a total of 11 AP exams and got 5s on all them. My overall GPA was a 3.85. It was weighed down by freshman and sophomore years. In my senior year when I took 5 APs my weighted GPA was a 4.222 (out of 4) and my unweighted was a 3.9 something

Currently I'm on track to get a 4.0 gpa and I'm determined (and hoping) to keep that up. I'm hoping to go to a top 10 grad school program in physics (and not for the prestige. I want to work as physicist in a lab or university setting). I'm worried that coming from Stony Brook might weigh me down or something.

Anyway, I'd be glad to hear any advice on where I have a chance that will be generous in terms of aid. On a side note, if anybody knows of any scholarships for physics/math majors, I'd be glad to learn about those too.
 
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To summarize: I'm a smart student, went to safety (Stony), don't like it, and wondering where I can go with my current resume that will help a financially strapped student.
 
ok this is the last time I'm going to try get attention to this thread. The truth is, I want to go to UPenn. I know i'd be winging it, but I want to wing it at least once.

Do I have a snowball's chance in hell of getting in? (keeping in mind I'd have to transfer for fall 2010, so the classes under sophomore can be ignored)

Edit: if no one knows what my chances are, is there any website you can recommend that I can receive some advice?
 
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