2015 fall transfer applicant to Columbia GS and UPenn LPS

Applying to College
1

I don’t really have the traditional non-traditional story. I’m not a veteran, nor did I endure a family hardship, or run a large company. I’ve read a ton of non-traditional, lps, and gs threads and have been unable to find a situation similar to mine.

I am applying to both Columbia GS and Penn LPS for the fall 2015 semester. Im currently in the honors program at Community College of Philadelphia. I have a 3.67 over three semesters at CCP ( 18 credits total). Im taking five honors courses next semester (15 credits). Before coming to CCP I took a three year break where I lived abroad as well as managed and turned around a small business. Before my three year break from school I attended three schools over a four year period, with a sub 2.0 cumulative gpa (25~ classes).

I suffered from depression, and didn’t address it during my first stint in college. Since leaving there has been noted success in the real world as well as in the classroom. My question is, is my body of work since returning to school strong enough to warrant serious consideration from the admissions committee? How much do they weigh previous grades (5-9 years old) versus the most recent? And do they offer conditional acceptance ( i.e. acceptance pending spring grades being above 3.x) or is it a straight admit/deny?

2

I was just accepted to Penn Lps for fall '15. I have a 4.0 GPA after four semesters for a total of 48 credits. My SATs were 2030. My recommendations as well as my essay were very good. My interview lasted an hour which was only held after they did an initial review of my application. I also waited three and a half months for an answer. They do seem to only be interested in the most recent body of work, and anything that you can say that will make you different than others and an asset to the community. I am waiting to hear from Columbia GS.

3

Did LPS email you an acceptance notice or was it a hard copy? I’m anxiously waiting for a response…

4

I am also curious as to whether it was an email or a hard copy. I was also wondering how long it took to hear back from them