Hello, all. This past academic year, I improved immensely in regards to my grades. However, I still received two B’s and one C. This how my courses and grades looked:
Fall 2018
World Civilization I: A
News Writing and Reporting: A
Elementary Algebra: B
American Federal Government: B
Introduction to Political Science: A
GPA: 3.75
Spring 2019
Macroeconomics: A
World Literature: A
Art Appreciation: A
Chemistry and Society: C
GPA: 3.38
Cumulative: 3.15 with 52 credits
In the past, I took FRE 101 and 102. I got a C in 101 and an F in 102; I will be retaking both classes this Summer. If you look at my previous threads, I have an interesting EC and I have great letter of recommendations, to my knowledge, from professors I was very close with. By receiving two B’s and one C, how does it affect my chances going forward when applying to schools like Northwestern, Columbia, etc.?
@bluebayou I agree with you. However, what if I’m able to polish my GPA before the Fall begins and after? Like I said, the F I got in FRE 102 is dragging my GPA down, but I am retaking it in the Summer.
@FCBarca10 That elementary algebra course in a cc is a noncredit course,correct? The courses you have taken are not all that rigorous, and the GPA is low in that context. I did read up on your EC’s and it would seem best for you to get the grades up and focus on a transfer to a NJ state university, so you can keep this sports stuff going with the contacts you have, which may turn into a full time opportunity once you have a degree. The reach schools take very few transfers and students at those universities tend to be strong students all around.
It never hurts to have a top reach school on your list. You have yours already.
The real work in putting together that college list is finding those schools that will take you for sure, has the courses and infrastructure in which you can thrive and is affordable. Get several of those schools on your list and do put thought and research into those schools. Visit, if you can. Read up on them. It’s not easy finding good information on some of these schools because they do not get the press that the name recognition schools do.
Look for some mid reach, match schools too. Those might be a bit easier to find. But know these schools you carefully hand pick.
@cptofthehouse for sure. I’m going to apply to schools like Rutgers and TCNJ. As of right now, TCNJ is my “target” school, so to speak. Outside of NJ schools, I’m looking to apply to Drexel as well. Affordability wise, Drexel is expensive, but I’ll have to see what they give me aid wise if I do get admitted. Northwestern is definitely my reach school, not my target school. Though, notable Northwestern alumni work for ESPN and the sports industry, such as Michael Wilbon and Michael Greenberg. With the work I have been able to do as a community college student covering the NBA, is something that I believe a lot of students in 4-year aren’t doing. I’m not trying to toot my horn here, but these are the words my advisor has said to me as well. This is reason why I think schools like Northwestern and Columbia, who have strong journalism programs, might take a chance on me. But, they’re both crapshoots. No one is for sure going to be admitted even if they have stellar grades or great ECs.
thank you @momprof9904. Though, how rigorous can my courses get? I’m majoring in the Law, Government, and Politics and Communications options at my CC in South Jersey and taking the courses they require for both degrees. In the Fall, my schedule is as follows:
Introduction to Statistics
Public Speaking
Theory of Communication
Influence of Mass Media
U.S History I
@FCBarca10 I get that these are the courses for your major. My point was that your GPA is low relative to this level of less rigorous coursework. You C and F in the French classes will remain on your transcript even if you retake and get a better grade and a better calculated GPA. And those are Intro French classes. The transcript tells a story beyond just a GPA. An EC, no matter how fantastic, cannot cover for a lower level academic performance.
Some more stuff you may need to be aware of: NJ has expanded the program for free tuition for cc’s and so bright students are taking advantage of that, especially in South Jersey where a 4-year school is not easy to commute to. As a prof at 4-yr NJ college, I see a lot of those CC transcripts from very accomplished students with very high GPA’s in rigorous courses. These types of students will be your competition to TCNJ, which is a smaller college and may have limits on transfer students. You may need to dig into that find out about that some more rather than assuming it will be a match for you.
Also, are the courses you’re taking in the Fall transferable to your intended major? Check njtransfer.org, if you haven’t already done so. All NJ 4-yr universities are required by law to give you 60 credits from the community college, but many of those credits may go the “free elective” bin and may not count towards your major. You should at least make sure you’re covering some courses that transfer as General Education at your target schools in NJ. And I would also add some safeties like Rowan and Stockton to the list.
It looks as though you have been out of HS for 5 years, have almost 2 years of CC completed, and your goal is to get your 4 year degree. You are interested in some combo of journalism (mostly) and politics (secondary). You cover basketball for a sports outlet, which might be paid or an EC but does not pay so well that you can pay for college on the proceeds, so you need an inexpensive (probably in-state NJ) option or a lot of financial aid (in practice, a ‘meets need’ school).
If all of that is mostly right, then I suggest that you take most of the academically challenging universities you have mentioned in your various posts off your list.
Admissions departments want to be sure that admitted students can be successful. A cool thing like being a stringer for a sports blog will not compensate for a student who has struggled with basic classes
re: Columbia- I think you haven’t done your homework on what it means to go to Columbia. First of all, they do not have an undergraduate journalism option. Second, they do have a very tough common core required for graduation.
As a guess, “Chemistry & Society” is a survey class for people who don’t want to take science but have to fulfill a science requirement- what used to be known as a ‘rocks for jocks’ type class. At Columbia you would be required to take at least 2 (possibly 3) more science classes. And, Intro French got the better of you- but at Columbia you would have to learn French (or other language) to intermediate standard. Even if you got an offer (and I would bet my house that you wouldn’t) I can’t see any way for you to finish in 2 years. So, I’d drop that one like a hot potato.
Instead, focus on finding the 4-year that will take the highest number of your existing credits, and from which you can graduate fastest. That is probably a NJ option. In the meantime, work on leveraging your current press pass to get to know the other sports/news organizations at the events you cover. Build your reel & portfolio. Look for opportunities to cover other events, and to get your coverage more places. For inspiration, look at the credentials of the “Associate Producers” on CBS 2020 Election coverage team: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-news-announces-2020-presidential-campaign-digital-journalists/. Basically, a degree (not fancy) + some interning that turns into short term jobs that turned into something. Knock out your degree while working your best asset- your experience and contacts- thoughtfully (start by asking for advice not a job).
@momprof9904@collegemom3717 thank you for these two pieces of great advice. I agree with the both of you. @collegemom3717, you’re spot on. Yes, I’m looking for an school, such as in-state NJ or out-of-state, that will give my a good amount of aid and/or a school that will mostly meet my entire “financial need” such as a Northwestern. For Chemistry & Society, yes, the course is intended for non-science majors and are looking to meet a requirement. However, when you say that “Intro got the better of me”, you have to understand and I’m sorry for not mentioning this, but I’ve always had a difficult time when learning a new language; it’s been that way since early high school. Also, the reason for my “up and down” academic performance is due to my struggle with anxiety. Back in early 2017, I struggled nearly the entire year with anxiety and it was to the point where I seeked therapy and I couldn’t focus on classes and school work; I meet with a therapist twice a week for nearly 5-6 months. I didn’t mention that here on this thread. I’m going to write about it in a personal statement to the schools I apply to. 2017 is also the time when I received the F in FRE 102, which occured in the Spring semester.
I know what I can do academically, nonetheless. My professor who taught both Intro to Poli Sci and American Federal Government in the Fall, told me he’d be happy to write me multiple letters of recommendation if necessary. He’s the Department for History, Philosophy, and Political Science at my CC and has a PhD in the field. As of now, I have 3-4 professors who have told me that they’d be happy to write me one as well.
Also, thank you sending me the link for CBS 2020. That seems like something that I would be very much interested in. Thank you for that! Lastly, an NJ school option would be the best option for me. However, we all dream, and that’s why I’ll apply to the schools I mentioned without an expectation of receiving an acceptance.
Still, extremely low, since most transfers are in the ~3.7+ range, and you can’t get anywhere close to that number. Note, however, the Columbia School of General Studies does like non-trads, but expect it to be full pay. Your best bet would be to transfer somewhere instate, ace the courses there, and then apply to NU or Columbia for a Masters.
UPDATE: I will be applying to cover the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, which will take place from August 29th- September 15th. I’ll be going to cover the Turkish Men’s national team; they’re going to play their Group stage games in Shanghai. Hopefully, I will get admitted.
“…going to write about [anxiety] in a personal statement to the schools I apply to.” Please (re)consider carefully. It’s not a tip to have serious anxiety and adcoms tend to prefer top performance over “reasons” an applicant didn’t do well.
This EC is interesting. But alone, it can’t tip you into a tippy top.
Posters are right that the grades you did earn will matter to adcoms at a Columbia or NU. As well as how you chose primarily easier courses. And still got a B and a C, besides the C and F in French.
Language weakness is sometimes excusabale, but not when in the midst of a light courseload and a direction that can expect foreign language skills of some sort.
So with this record in this context, adcoms at a C and NU may think the EC is a major distraction. They want to see the patterns that scream, “I can succeed at your tough college, academically and otherwise.” In elite admissions, the focus isn’t on your future career ideas.
In the immortal words of my mother: Just get the degree. Forget the shiny colleges, revisit them for grad school.
@lookingforward you’re very out of context. Chose easier courses? I chose whatever was required to get an A.A at my current community college. I’m a Political Science and Communications major. Should I have taken Calculus, Physics, and Biology? They are harder and more challenging courses, no? I took whatever courses I needed to take. I respect your opinion, but I don’t agree with it.
@lookingforward I don’t mean to “toot my own horn” but, I’ve seen journalism student profiles at NU and some of them covered the same events as I have through they’re sources at NU. Me? I don’t have such sources or opportunities at my CC, unfortunately.
OP, you asked about NU, Columbia. You got some lower grades in an easier track. Yes, these courses were required for that major in cc. But that doesn’t make them the level of rigor NU or Columbia expects. And doesn’t wipe away the lower grades.
NU and C will be looking for your rigor. Yes, “harder and more challenging” They’re rigorous colleges, tippy tops, with fierce competition, and expect their admits to be ready to hit the ground running. Ready. Tested, at high levels that correspond to the level of difficulty at an elite.
So just think about it. You can finish at any good school and, (as we often say on CC,) then look to an elite college, for grad school.
For sure. I’m going to apply to them nonetheless. Shoot for the stars, as they say. I’ll most likely not apply to Columbia, but definitely will for NU. @lookingforward
