Transferring to An Ivy League - NYU to Harvard, Advice + Tips

Key Concepts:

• Transferring to highly selective schools
• Application strategies and mindset
• Personal narrative in applications
• Authenticity vs. strategic presentation
• Holistic application review

Reasons for Transferring (Personal Example):

The speaker outlines four personal reasons for transferring from NYU to Harvard:

1. Social: Feeling a lack of belonging within the NYU community.
2. Financial: NYU's high cost and perceived lack of financial aid compared to Ivy League schools.
3. Environment: A desire for a traditional, isolated college town experience rather than a city-based campus. The speaker wanted to experience being a student in a small liberal arts town before entering the workforce.
4. Academic: A shift in academic interests away from business and towards computer science and philosophy, valuing a liberal arts education.

Mindset and Approach:

• Selective Application: The speaker only applied to schools they genuinely preferred over their current institution, focusing on a few highly selective options (around five).
• Immersive Application Writing: While writing each application, the speaker fully convinced themselves that the target school was the perfect fit.
• Detached Post-Submission: After submitting, the speaker adopted a mindset of contentment regardless of the outcome, even planning a "reward" (getting a cat and a nice apartment) for staying at their current school.
• Dual Attitude: The speaker emphasizes the importance of simultaneously convincing yourself that you really want to transfer while also being okay with staying at your current school.

"Why Transfer" Essay Tips:

• Good Answers: Demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the specific school and how you would fit in. Example: Passion for psychology, desire to work with a specific professor at the target school. The reasons should be within the school's control.
• Bad Answers: Neglecting the target school and its specific strengths. Example: Transferring from a strong writing program to a less renowned one solely for prestige. This doesn't show thoughtful consideration of the target school.

Specific Advice for Competitive Schools:

1. Apply (But Acknowledge Luck): Apply because you'll regret not trying, but recognize that admission to highly selective schools involves a significant element of luck. The speaker cites an example of Princeton taking only 12 transfer students, half of whom were reserved for ex-military applicants.
2. Embrace "Weirdness": Transfer classes tend to be more diverse and "weirder" than regular admissions. Be authentic and embrace your unique qualities.
3. Write a Personal Narrative:
   • Show, Don't Tell: Provide specific examples to illustrate your qualities instead of simply stating them. For example, instead of saying "I am a passionate learner," describe a specific learning experience.
   • Conciseness: Review each word and remove anything that doesn't contribute to the story.
   • School-Specific Research: Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the target school and provide specific reasons for wanting to attend. Example: Connecting a childhood interest in olives to a specific Harvard professor's research.
   • Reader's Perspective: Edit your application from the perspective of the admissions committee. Analyze what each paragraph communicates and ensure you're conveying the desired message.
4. Utilize Every Application Component:
   • Activities List: Craft a cohesive narrative that highlights your interests and values, rather than just listing activities. Communicate the "why" behind your actions, emphasizing intrinsic motivation.
   • Recommendations: Seek strong recommendations that corroborate your narrative.
   • Personal Essays: Treat every essay as an opportunity to communicate something meaningful.
   • Interviews: Practice common interview questions to present yourself effectively.

Notable Quotes:

• "You should apply because you miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Attributed to a "great Canadian."
• (Referring to the mindset after submitting applications) "You are awesome, you tried your best, and your life is going to be great regardless."

Technical Terms/Concepts:

• Holistic Review: The admissions process considers all aspects of an application, not just grades and test scores.
• Personal Narrative: Presenting your experiences as a story with a clear theme and purpose.

Logical Connections:

The video progresses logically from personal experience to general advice, then to specific strategies for competitive schools. Each piece of advice builds upon the previous ones, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, thoughtfulness, and strategic presentation.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

Transferring to a highly selective school is a challenging but potentially rewarding process. Success requires a combination of genuine interest in the target school, a compelling personal narrative, and a strategic approach to the application. While luck plays a role, focusing on crafting an authentic and well-researched application is the best way to increase your chances of admission. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being content regardless of the outcome, knowing that your life will be great either way.