Some colleges and universities now require that transcripts be sent directly from the institution of origin. Check the application requirements carefully.

It’s worth a shot to apply, given your solid GPA at Duke.

Colleges and universities that participate in the Title IV federal student aid programs are required to post a net price calculator on their website. Columbia falls in this category. Use Columbia’s net price […]

Update: For the 2015-2016 Common Application, colleges and universities can decide if they want to make the “why transfer” essay optional. This is what it says in Common App in the “Writing” section:

“Some […]

Should you write a Common App “Personal Essay” customized for each school? It depends on the school. Many colleges and universities require a writing supplement where you can specifically discuss the school in […]

In many cases, your chance of being accepted as an international student will be reduced if you indicate that you need financial aid. However, if you are able to devote time to prepare strong transfer […]

The best essays I’ve seen usually begin with an anecdote or example that includes concrete details. Brainstorm a few potential stories or examples that you might use for the introduction of your essay, and you […]

If your strategy is to submit a customized version of the main Common App “why transfer” essay to each of the three schools, then yes, your description of the process sounds correct.

It sounds like you’re leaning toward transferring after 1.5 years rather than 2 years. It would not hurt to aim to transfer after 1.5 years. If you don’t get the results you want, you have another shot at […]

I know that the hard copy is available, but I haven’t seen a digital version.

Assuming that you’re going to use the Common App, it would be best to use the “additional information” section to explain your situation so that you can save space in your why transfer essay to highlight your strengths.

Make sure to get that 4.0 at SDSU, and go ahead and apply to USC. At most universities/colleges, your undergrad GPA carries more weight than your high school GPA, though everything in your file generally affects […]

A 3.9+ GPA makes you a competitive candidate. Regardless, I usually suggest to students that they expand their school list given the competitive nature of the application process.

Because you already have a specific college in mind, go ahead and directly contact that college (Queens-Borough). Someone in the admissions office there should be able to give you the exact answer to your question.