Seeking advices for transfer / apply anew to stronger program

[FrancisHsu]

Hello,

I am currently enrolled in one of the top 20 FE program (10 - 20 tier) and really want to give the top 10 programs (Columbia, MIT, etc.) another shot. I need some advice from you so I can better prepare myself for the process.

Little background:

• triple majors in math / stats / fin from a top 10 US public school. 3.7+GPA

Things I did since last application to improve my profile:

• summer intern at an investment bank,
• retook GRE, boost from Q168+V159+2.5 to Q170+V164+3.5,
• concluded a math research I participated in, submitted result to a journal, not yet accepted /rejected, have a preprint on arXiv,
• started a new research,
• plan on taking CFA lv1 this Dec.

Here are some specific questions that I want to ask:

1. In general, is my odds good?
2. Will I be penalized for currently in a FE program?
3. How should I structured my PS (given that no reapply PS is required)? Should I write generically, or should I focus on what happened since last application?
4. Is there anybody you know succeeded? How many credits did they successfully transferred, or none at all?

Other than those, any advice / thoughts would be helpful. Thanks!