Hellooo! My name is Angela a 21-year-old Chinese gal and new in this forum. Okay. To begin with, I am an international student pursuing my Associates Arts degree and recently graduated last month at a community college in Miami with a 2.9 GPA. I know I know… it is low and not proud of it at all, however, I wondered if I still have the chance to get into the University of Miami or is it better for me to transfer to Florida International University instead? The reason for my confusion and anxiety is because I really really… want to get into a university with great psychology/medical/research program. And wish to go back the time to do everything all over again to raise my GPA but unfortunately, I can’t. Before, my GPA was quite high 3.55 but has lowered to 2.68 in my third or fourth semester while pursuing a business major in which I have no passion for, therefore, low GPA. After I changed my major to psychology, my GPA has increased tremendously. I have a passion for understanding how and why the mind works the way it does and am interested in the darkest side of the human such as serial killers or criminals for instance. Also, I may want to do some research that can contribute to finding new discoveries about the mind and unfolding its mysteries. I am far from knowing what I actually really want to become.
Whoever is going through the same path as mine or have similar problems, I would LOVE to hear your advice and experiences.
By the way, my goal is to get into UCLA or the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
Every input is appreciated from the bottom of my heart.
Thanks!
Is there a way your community college will let you retake the classes you did bad in? Some allow you to retake and change the grade, raising your GPA. As of right now I wouldn’t say you have much of a chance at UM, UCLA, or UMAA. Those are all highly ranked schools that many people want to transfer to. At UM they won’t even consider you unless you have a 3.0 GPA. Another thing is that even if you did get into the schools, you likely wouldn’t get any merit aid, so you would have to pay close to full price. Can you afford to pay the high prices of these sorts of schools? UCs are notorious for no merit aid to OOS, and UM is private, so pretty costly.
If I were you I would stay another semester and try to raise your GPA. Or, transfer to a different university that’s not as competitive.
Retaking some of your worst classes would be your best bet - if it can impact your degree. Are you trying to go to UCLA or UMich for undergrad or grad? I recommend not transferring twice. You will waste so much time and money at school. I recommend trying to get into the best school you can right now, and then getting a good GPA so you can apply to a more competitive graduate school (if that’s something you’re interested in)
I think the minimum GPA to apply to a UC is also 3.0. Even then, that GPA is not competitive enough for either schools, especially as an out of state applicant. You should aim for above a 3.5. GPAs are only one aspect of applications and other factors such as high school record, standardized testing, recs,and extracurricular activities will be looked at, but your college record is the most important.
Also, you should have an idea of what you want to study and do when applying as a transfer. Schools will expect concrete academic reasons or why their program will advance your plans rather than a generic reason that those schools are highly ranked.
Thank you guys! For responding and helping me. And yes I have thought about raising my GPA by taking extra classes after having completed my 60 credits. At the beggining, they told me I may not be able to take more classes to raise my GPA because I am an international student. However, they told me I can take a non degree classes, or something like that.
I’m transfering for my undergrad. I just finished my first 2 years. Now I want to transfer to another more prestigious college to finish my undergrad.
Hmm… any of you guys are pursuing psychology and medicine by the way?
How is it going so far? And why have you made the decision?
Is it difficult? What college are you studying at or planning to get into?
Thanks!! And thanks for all your replies. I will consider them all.
Oh , I forgot. Is it possible to transfer after the third year of college?
It’s possible, but universities rarely accept more than 50% of the credits required for a degree from another institution. For example if a degree requires 120 semester units, they probably won’t accept more than 60. No matter what, you’ll probably have 2 years left at the final institution you end up at.
You need to go meet with the international advisor at your CC and find out what your options are as an international student. It probably is not possible for you to take classes that don’t apply to a degree program because you will lose your status. It might be possible for you to continue in F1 status for another semester or two if you enroll for enough classes to earn a second associates degree.
If you are graduating with your AA right now, you should already have been accepted somewhere as a transfer for the fall. Where did you apply? Why don’t you just attend one of those places? If you do well there, you will have good options for grad school or for your OPT after you finish college.
Most colleges and universities will accept transfers who have spent three years in a community college. Don’t worry about that just yet. The transfer advisors at your CC can help you find out more about that.
UM or FIU may still be a stretch with that GPA. They are both still moderately selective schools. Have you considered FAU?
Michigan Ann arbor is one of my reaches as well. I’m not sure if you were aware of this but it is extremely selective, comparable to Notre Dame. I’m not saying its impossible, but if you intend to apply there you should plan to make straight A’s from here on out.