How to TRANSFER to an IVY League as an International Student | Complete Walkthrough!

Summary of YouTube Video: Transferring to US Universities as an International Student

Key Concepts:

• International transfer application to US universities
• Common App portal for transfer students
• Supporting documents: essays, extracurriculars, achievements
• Valid reasons for transferring
• University-specific requirements
• Transfer acceptance rates, particularly at Ivy League schools

1. Introduction and Valid Reasons for Transferring

The video addresses the process of transferring to US universities as an international student. It emphasizes that while not straightforward, it is achievable. The video stresses the importance of ethical and genuine reasons for transferring, providing examples such as:

• Dissatisfaction with the current college environment or location.
• A shift in educational goals, such as wanting to pursue a different major (e.g., switching from biomedical engineering to computer science).
• Realizing that a US-based education pathway is better suited for one's goals.

The video highlights that the reason for transferring should be personal and valid, as it will be a key component of the transfer application essay.

2. Step 1: Finding the Right University and Understanding Requirements

The first crucial step is researching specific universities and their individual transfer requirements. The video uses Cornell University as an example, demonstrating how to find the official transfer application checklist on the university's website. This checklist outlines essential components like:

• Applying through the Common App.
• Submitting academic reports, midterm reports, and writing supplements (essays).
• Paying application fees (or obtaining a fee waiver).
• Providing transcripts.

A critical aspect is determining if the university has specific requirements regarding the number of years of study completed before applying to transfer (e.g., some universities only accept transfers after the first year, while others accept them after the first or second year).

3. Step 2: Creating a Common App Account

The second step involves creating an account on the Common App portal specifically for transfer students. The Common App allows students to apply to multiple universities through a centralized dashboard. The video demonstrates the process of creating a transfer student account and highlights the initial questions asked, such as:

• Number of credits earned.
• Date of birth.
• Degree goal (Bachelor's, Master's, etc.).
• Military status.

The Common App dashboard provides a list of universities currently accepting transfer students, along with deadlines, application fees, and location information.

4. Step 3: Supporting Documents and Essays

Step three focuses on the supporting documents, which are considered the most time-consuming part of the application process. These documents are divided into three main categories:

• Experiences: A list of extracurricular activities, community service, volunteering, work experience, and internships.
• Achievements: Honors, awards, and recognitions received.
• Documents: College reports, midterm reports, CVs, and essays.

The essay is emphasized as a critical component, requiring a genuine and ethical explanation of why the applicant wants to transfer. The essay should focus on the positive aspects of transferring to the new university and how it will help the applicant achieve their academic and personal goals, rather than negatively criticizing the current university.

The video mentions a free template with examples of transfer essays developed by the Incognito Blueprints team, available to the first 100 people who use the link in the description.

5. Application Submission and Status Tracking

Once all required information and documents are uploaded to the Common App portal, applicants can submit their applications to the desired programs. The Common App allows applicants to track the status of each application in one place.

6. Reality Check: Ivy League Transfer Acceptance Rates

The video provides a reality check regarding transfer acceptance rates, particularly at Ivy League universities. Harvard, for example, had a 4.9% acceptance rate for first-year students but only a 0.9% transfer acceptance rate. While this may seem discouraging, the video points out that the number of transfer applicants is significantly lower than the number of first-year applicants. The video emphasizes the importance of putting effort into the essays and other application components. Cornell University is noted as the Ivy League school that accepts the most transfer students.

7. Incognito Blueprints Giveaway Winners

The video announces the winners of a giveaway from Incognito Blueprints, which included an Amazon gift card, a Dossier perfume, and an iPhone SE 2022 model. The winners are displayed on the screen, and the Incognito Blueprints team will contact them via email to claim their prizes.

8. Conclusion

The video concludes by summarizing the transfer application process and encouraging viewers to ask questions in the comments section. The creator offers to create a community thread to answer transfer application-related questions and encourages viewers to subscribe and like the video.

Main Takeaways:

• Transferring to a US university as an international student is possible but requires careful planning and effort.
• Researching university-specific requirements is crucial.
• The Common App is a valuable tool for managing multiple applications.
• Essays are a critical component of the application and should be genuine and well-written.
• Transfer acceptance rates, especially at top universities, can be low, so applicants should be prepared and put in the necessary effort.