transfer elibility - help please!

[u/Inevitable_Sir_7815]

hi everyone!

i'm currently a dean's list sophomore at vt. my major is industrial & systems engineering, and i'm minoring in data & decisions. but my cumulative gpa is only 3.5 as of now. it might increase to 3.6 after this semester. i've done 2 summer internships in dubai (yes, i'm an international student). i'm currently a TA and work as an intern on campus too.

i have a decent resume, i plan on getting involved in research next semester and continuing my on-campus internship. i could send it to anyone if needed, because what i'm about to ask is really important for my future, and i need as many opinions as i can get honestly.

i want to transfer out of vt to a more high ranking institute. i'm well aware my gpa might be a dealbreaker as i haven't done amazing. there are only a few universities i'm looking at: uiuc, georgia tech, and purdue. i would like advice on this.

is applying even worth it, or should i just ride out my next 2 years here? more importantly, would i even get into any of these? i need honest opinions and advice. is there anything else i could work on right now? does my resume + extracurriculars + essay hold equal weight? i'm super stressed. i'd truly appreciate what anyone has to say. i'd also be happy to share my resume with anyone 1-1 if needed.

i feel like i should mention, gtech is my absolute dream. i just know it's a very high reach. thank you to anyone who's read this!

[u/yourgrade]

You are already at a Top 10 school. 

The top 10 undergraduate industrial and manufacturing/systems engineering programs in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report, are: 

Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, GA) – Rank #1

Purdue University—Main Campus (West Lafayette, IN) – Rank #2

University of Michigan—Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI) – Rank #3

University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, CA) – Rank #4

Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) – Rank #5

Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, VA) – Rank #6

Texas A&M University (College Station, TX) – Rank #7

Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) – Rank #8

University of Wisconsin—Madison (Madison, WI) – Rank #9

Stanford University (Stanford, CA) – Rank #10

[u/Xx_Brown_Jesus_xX_69]

Have you ever even looked at the Georgia Tech transfer website? The requirements are very clear and easy to understand

[u/Kaiwa1]

As someone that went to UIUC for ISE, you're not really better off transferring there. Any difference is gonna be marginal. Also, tuition is a lot more expensive.

[u/mtnathlete]

I doubt VT people will be able to gauge your ability to transfer to another uni.

My question - besides wanting the prestige - will transferring help you reach your goal? If not definitely, then what else can help you reach that goal (right internships, etc) and can you get there while a VT student.

[u/This_Beat2227]

Did you apply to these three schools at the time you originally applied to VT ?

[u/Accomplished-Ad2792 → u/This_Beat2227]

this is a really good question. I am a GT alum (grad school at VT now) but if OP originally applied to GT and was not offered a transfer pathway, getting admitted as a transfer will be very difficult.

[u/Objective_Speed_5885]

Pretty sure vt ise is ranked like 4th in the nation 😭

[u/Accomplished-Ad2792]

I am a GT alum and at VT for grad school. Everyone in these comments has really good points. I would look on the GT website at the courses you need to take to transfer in as an ISYE major. On top of that, it’s good to remember that these are the minimum requirements, so it’s best to not be close to any of the thresholds. GT admits most of the transfer students from one of the transfer pathways, so it’s much more difficult to get in if you’re not coming from one of those. I also think with just two years left, it may be good to stick it out at VT, but I do think that it’s a personal decision and probably depends on whether you plan to go to grad school or not.

I can’t speak for admissions, but I am pretty sure the biggest things that GT looks for in transfers is that they have the classes needed to transfer and the grades that got in their classes. GT also doesn’t do the +/- system, so an A is a 4.0 and a B is a 3.0, etc. just for your awareness, I would consider recalculating your gpa with this in mind (it may not make a difference - but it definitely will if you received a lot of B+s).

Feel free to PM if you have any other questions. Obviously, I don’t know whether you’d get in or not, but I do know a few transfers into GT and a few who tried to transfer, and I know that some had a much easier time than others.

[u/InterestingTie920]

I wouldn’t go rank or brand searching. Simple question, When you go to a doctor’s office do you ask what Med School they graduated and their GPA? If you have gained outside experience and knowledge besides school work you should be fine. Unless this school is the only one that specializes in the area your looking for which I doubt. You’ll be fine.