Things I’ve learned from this transfer application business

I have just received the news I have been waiting for. Its April 30 and UC Berkeley indeed has an answer for me. My application has been declined. They claimed that the acceptance rate this year is 29%, with 7% for business school and 23% for the college of engineering. Now now, I have expected that from them, and frankly I am not the least bothered, so friends please keep your consolations to yourselves. =) Its only sensible that I reflect on what I have learned from all this madness on school application. Maybe I can share a tip or two for my sister.

Procrastinating killed me.
I could have provided more information, wrote a better personal statement and met more deadlines if I have had planned my time properly. Most of my application are submitted towards the last days of the application process, and many documents were sent on the last minute. I was so desperate at times that I sent through express delivery. Lesson learned: Do not procrastinate, plan my time properly and do what matters first.

All it takes is desire to apply.
Back at square one, everyone is equal. When it comes to applying to schools (and everything else you want from life) is the guts to go for it and the commitment in following it through. The guts to apply to the school and THE COMMITMENT IN FULFILLING ALL THE REQUIREMENTS.

I could have applied to more schools. My dream school was CalTech but I backed out on the last minute because their track record of 36 transfer students accepted in 5 years intimated me and because I couldn’t commit to their requirement of 3 letters of recommendation, a personal statement and 2 standardized test spanning over 7 hours. CalTech has a high reputation for its engineering departments, a small but engaging environment and a rigorous course. Plus its in Pasadena, CA (Hollywood, beach, great food and everything else the nightlife has to offer). I chickened out on the very last minute and now I shall live to regret.=) Advice: Stay the course. If you planned on applying, don’t think on it for too long. Just. Do. It.

Documents
Different schools have different requirements and documents that the want to see. They have specific deadlines for these documents, so don’t you dare bank on the chance that the school will be lenient on you. Because it’s not gonna happen! My advice is if you’re running out of time, send your documents first, then complete your online applications and statements. Why? Because documents take time to snail mail, while online applications can be submitted on the last night. Don’t submit your application on the last minute either. Chances are the school server will be in a bottleneck and your application will have difficulty being submitted through the web. Some documents (test results, official transcripts) are required to be sent by the institution/school, so send them what they want.

Make up your mind.
I should have spent more time researching schools and their strong points instead of following the crowd and applying for schools because a friend of a friend did the same. I should have had a master plan, a ranking system for the schools that I should apply to. Some factors to consider include reputation and ranking, quality of education provided, research opportunities, proximity to industries related to the major, accessibility, environment eg. if its urban/suburban/ulu, proximity to nature parks, seas, lakes, recreational areas, hardware/clothing/food stores, climate/weather. This is so that when you’re accepted to multiple schools, you won’t be faced with the dilemma of WHERE YOU SHOULD GO.

Subscribing to US News’ prime account ranking database should help. They even have organizer where you can organize your schools of your choice. I made something like “Top top elite everests”, “west coast parties”, “Midwest so cold they build character” and “spare tires”. Anyhoo. Since I’ve found out that the everests don’t want me in, should I go to the midwest to build my character or party in the west coast?

The day I get my answer

Anytime today I will know if UC Berkeley have accepted me. If they want me in, I’ll turn in my intent to both UCB and UMich, just in case UCB backs out. If they turn me down, it’ll be Michigan from tomorrow onwards.

Fingers crossed.