2.2 HS GPA, W's and F's CC

Transfer Students
1

<p>I graduated high school in 2002 with a 2.2 HS GPA from a small private school that sent most students to the top schools in the nation. I was the school slacker and most unmotivated person you would have ever met. If alcohol, drugs, and women were not involved, I was not interested. Obviously, I ended up going to my local CC. </p>

<p>My CC record is crazy scattered. I spent a year in 2002 at my local JC. I half-assed the first semester and pulled a 3.3 but then all hell broke lose. I stopped caring and went back to my slacker/unmotivated ways. In regard to several of my classes, I ended up dropping out and did not even bother to go down to my school's registration office to withdraw properly. My semester was littered with W's and F's. I took about a year off from JC and worked and spent time "finding myself". I then went to a different CC, Santa Barbara City College, when I convinced my parents I was ready to go back to school.</p>

<p>This was a mistake and a lie. I was not ready to study nor was I ready to stop partying. I just wanted to move away from home and be on my own. I ended up spending a year at SBCC and completed all but 6 units legitimately. The rest of my record is littered with W's and F's over 2 semesters. Knowing that I was fooling myself as well as my parents, I moved back home from SBCC.</p>

<p>By this time I am about 21-22 years old. When I was 23, I took one last shot at going to my neighborhood JC. I ended up dropping out mid-semester, adding more W's and F's to my transcript. I would not return to school until I was 26.</p>

<p>Fast forward, 7 years after high school and 3 junior colleges later. I'm 26 years old and have the most motivation in my life that I have ever had. I am at a different junior college and everything has finally clicked. I have a 4.0 gpa at this school through 43 units. I even have multiple A+'s on my transcript. I do not have one B or one W. Obviously, I am extremely angry at myself for my immaturity and lack of motivation that I showed in my late teens and early twenties. I have contemplated not transferring over my other transcripts, but I hear that is extremely risky. I feel like I am willing to gamble on that. </p>

<p>The one thing that makes me consider bringing my transcripts over are the "amazing turnaround" and "personal growth" qualities that universities say they look for. From the graduation of high school (18-19 years old) to now (26 years old), I went through a ton of life experience and growth. My junior college record is like a historical document of proof of this growth. I would like to hear people's advice and opinion of how I look as a candidate. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Well, you’re considering whether or not to attempt to defraud the schools to which you’re applying. Not only does that risk getting you banned for life, the last school I applied to included a warning that you could go to prison for it. I’ve never heard of that happening in practice, but it does lead me to question how much you’ve really matured.</p>

<p>Just send them all the transcripts they require. Schools almost invariably seem to be far more interested in the RECENT past than your time right after high school.</p>

3

<p>It’s unlikely you’d be sent to jail, but not sending in all your transcripts will have some serious repercussions if you are caught. If the school were to find out, you’d be labeled as a case of academic dishonesty, and will most likely end up with a permanent ban from your local school system. </p>

<p>Take note that colleges and universities like to see a positive trend in academics. You’d only be hurting yourself by not sending in failed transcripts at the seasoned age of 26.</p>