A low GPA at one university, and a 3.25 at another... what to do?

Transfer Students
1

<p>I'm currently looking to transfer to ECU because I believe that it's the only perfect fit for me. I want to major in Athletic Training (and then go onto being a Physician Assistant) and ECU has an amazing problem. I love the campus and the area. </p>

<p>But there is one problem.</p>

<p>Currently, I have a 3.25 GPA and will most likely carry a 4.0 GPA for this semester. I am taking moderately difficult classes (like College Algebra and Astronomy) in areas that I had A LOT of trouble with in the past (math and science). I am also working full-time in order to support myself because I took a Leave of Absence from my old university and am currently enrolled in a local community college.</p>

<p>The bad news is, is that at my old university I have a 1.54 GPA because I got really sick during the Spring and Fall 2008 semesters and they wouldn't let me withdraw for the Fall semester so I lost $16,000 in tuition and RUINED my GPA (since I could not go to class, because I was in the hospital for most of the semester, I received 5 FAs, failure due to attendance, which each count as TWO FAILURES towards your GPA).</p>

<p>In high school I was a pretty OK student, I had a 2.99 GPA, 6 AP classes, never lower than a 4 on an exam, and I played sports and worked (a lot I might add, haha). I had a composite score of 27 on my ACTs and an 1160 on my SATS in addition to a 680 on my US History SAT II and a 540 on my Math SAT II (not so great, but I tried!).</p>

<p>I am applying as an out-of-state transfer and I focused my optional essay on my drive and determination to do better and talked about how my time at SJU (my last university) has really shown me a lot about myself and how I don't want to give up, because I don't. I know that Athletic Training is for me and I want to stick with it, but I don't know how else to show that I'm not some stupid kid that never did anything in college. I worked my butt off a lot of the time, and though I didn't do well in math and science classes, now I am and I'm sooo happy with making the decision to leave SJU. I was miserable.</p>

<p>So, am I being naive in thinking there is a chance that I could actually be accepted as a transfer to ECU? For the Fall 2007 semester some sites say they accepted 91% of their applications, while others say the number is more like 75%. They require a 2.0 cumulative GPA but I'm tearing my hair out on whether or not to even try...</p>

<p>My issue is that, either way, my fiance and I are moving to NC for his job after everything that happened with my last college. Like I said, I'm currently in community college and would like to transfer instead of having to go to yet ANOTHER CC before transferring (3 college transcripts can't look that good to admissions personnel...)</p>

2

<p>Why not try?
They require a minimum GPA of 2.5 for transfers.
Your highschool record is not required as long as you completed a total of 30 credits at your previous institutions.</p>

<p>You have a good shot.....</p>

3

<p>I also have another question I would like to ask. Right now, I really don't have any intentions of transferring any classes from SJU to another school because I believe about 80% of them most likely will not transfer. I know at least 18 credits in religion and philosophy will not transfer as well as any upper-level political science class. All other GERs and whatnot were AP credits or are being covered in community college right now?</p>

<p>How do I, or is there any way, to simply say, "I do not intend on transferring any of these credits"?</p>

4

<p>thats probably something to take up with the school once you get in. you should have a good shot.</p>

5

<p>Ok, thanks!</p>

<p>How much is too much when it comes to the optional essay to "explain your circumstances"? I feel like there is a lot to explain and my essay is easily 3-4 pages typed...</p>

6

<p>waaaaaay too much, i think. the common app essay has a 1 page single space max. i would think that 1 page single space would be an absolute maximum for the optional essay. the adcomm will wonder about your ability to convey your thoughts in a pithy and coherent manner if you can't cut your essay down a bit.</p>

<p>best</p>

7

<p>Maybe it is better than I wrote the original 3-4 pages then, so I can look and see what needs to be cut. I've been working on it for days because I really think its my saving grace (although ECU looks at the cumulative gpa, and then the gpa of transferrable courses so I should be good on the second category... first category is questionable), so now I know everything I wanted to say. Now it's just deciding what makes it a really good essay with a clear thesis and support.</p>

8

<p>Btw... Anyone want to do me a huge favor by looking over my essay? There is a special section to JUST explain my situation and then an optional essay and I would like to write both, so I believe that my original essay (which was 3-4 pages) could be cut down and literally cut into two essays. There is definitely enough for two "arguments" and I think my application will be stronger for it.</p>

9

<p>PM it to me</p>