Yuki’s Experience Transferring from UCSD to Emory University

About Yuki 

Yuki began her college journey at University of California, San Diego in the fall of 2019. After completing her freshman year, she took time to reflect on her academic and personal goals and ultimately decided to transfer to Emory University. She enrolled at Emory as a junior in the fall of 2021 and is now majoring in psychology on the science track, which includes coursework in neuroscience and behavioral biology.

Working with Ivy Talent

Yuki was introduced to Ivy Talent through a family friend who highly recommended their consulting services. From the very beginning, Ivy Talent provided expert guidance and personalized support, making what can often be a complicated transfer application process much easier to navigate. With their help, Yuki successfully transferred from UCSD to Emory University.

As she entered her senior year, Yuki continued working with Ivy Talent while preparing her graduate school applications. The team supported her by helping her find useful academic resources and connecting her with experienced instructors and consultants. With their guidance, she was able to strengthen her research experience and develop well-prepared application materials. This support helped Yuki feel more confident as she worked toward her academic and career goals.

Why Transfer from UCSD to Emory?

Yuki’s decision to transfer was shaped by her evolving academic interests and goals. While she valued her time at University of California, San Diego, she hoped to study in a setting that offered more opportunities for close interaction with professors and hands-on research. Emory University’s smaller class sizes and emphasis on faculty mentorship felt like a better fit for the kind of learning environment she was looking for, especially as she explored future paths in research and medicine.

Another factor in Yuki’s decision was Emory University’s strong emphasis on undergraduate research. She felt that studying in an environment known for its research opportunities and faculty mentorship would better prepare her for competitive graduate programs and help her build a strong foundation for the future.

How Ivy Talent Helped

One major difference between transferring and applying as a freshman is the stronger emphasis on college-level academic performance and relevant experience. Ivy Talent helped Yuki recognize that her GPA and research experience would carry much more weight than her high school extracurriculars in the transfer admissions process. With this understanding, Yuki was able to focus her efforts on areas that would make the greatest impact.

To support this, Ivy Talent connected her with a psychology professor at Brandeis University, who mentored her as she developed a formal research paper. This hands-on project involved collecting data and conducting an in-depth study on mental health topics. It gave Yuki a chance to apply what she had learned in the classroom, build her academic skills, and demonstrate her commitment to the field.

Ivy Talent also provided guidance on the logistical and academic aspects of transferring, including understanding credit transfer policies, selecting courses strategically, and maintaining a strong GPA. This helped Yuki stay on track with her degree requirements and ensured that the transfer process went smoothly without delaying her graduation.

Reflection 

Maintaining a Strong GPA

Yuki stresses that keeping a good GPA is the most important factor when transferring. UCSD’s Revelle College had challenging writing courses, but she was able to carefully choose classes that balanced difficulty with the potential to maintain a strong GPA. She also spent time researching transfer credit policies to make sure she could transfer as many credits as possible and avoid any delays in graduating.

Differences in Transfer Applications

Yuki points out that transfer applications place more emphasis on academic achievements, future goals, and how applicants can contribute to the university community. Her transfer essays focused on her passion for psychology and her research goals, which was different from her freshman application that highlighted personal stories, like being the first Chinese cheerleader at her high school.

Credit Transfer Experience

Yuki successfully transferred over 60 credits from UCSD to Emory. Although a few credits were initially denied, she submitted appeals and had most of them approved. This process did not affect her graduation timeline, allowing her to graduate on time while taking only three classes in her final semester.

Advice for Future Transfer Students

Yuki encourages future transfer students to approach the process with patience and persistence, understanding that it takes time to adjust to a new environment and build meaningful connections. She suggests staying organized, reaching out to professors early on, and taking advantage of opportunities to get involved on campus. Through these efforts, Yuki was able to make a smooth transition, and she found that Emory University offered the supportive community and academic opportunities she had hoped for, helping her grow both personally and academically.