bad hs/good college/transfer chances

<p>I had a 2.0 in high school for some certain reasons, which I have a good explanation for. At community college I have approximately a 3.7 in 70 semester hours where I have taken Calc I and II, Physics w/lab, Chemistry w/lab, Elementary German I and II, Intermediate German I and II, and nearly all of the general education requirements…I attend the University of Miami where I pulled a 3.3 with 15 semester hours for the one semester I was there. However, I had to leave due to something personal and the dean as well as the president said they are going to be writing me outstanding letters of recommendations to whatever school I wish to attend. I also have superior extracurricular activities, leadership positions held, president of clubs, and other significant letters of recommendations from professors and such. Do you think they will be willing to overlook my poor high school performance, and do you think I have a good shot for admission assuming I have good essays, etc? I have never had less than a “B” in college.</p>

<p>To be perfectly honest, the competition at Emory is at it's premium these days. I'm a University of Miami student too, but have a much more competitive GPA. I was thinking of transferring to Emory earlier this year from Maryland but chose Miami instead because of their Spring admission. They told me the magic number is about a 3.5 GPA (that does not mean you'll definitely get in, but 60% chance). Hope this helps.</p>

<p>However it sounds to me that you have special circumstances so that may very well be in your favor.</p>

<p>thanks for the reply...my classes at miami were my major classes which i received a's in both (400 level)...so you think the magic number is around a 3.5 to transfer into emory? do you think they will even consider my high school performance? do u think having the president and dean's personal reccomendations that are very strong will make a major difference in my application and reason for transfer?</p>

<p>Put it this way. I had immaculate high school record despite my SATs due to a personal issue (deathly ill during jr. year) and they told me that my SATs would not be highly regarded after I completed one year of college, so they could see my performance and see the SATs were a fluke. So I think if you have showed major improvements from high school to college, then it should only help you. However, I'm not sure a 3.3 GPA from Miami is strong enough for transfer. I contacted both Emory and WashU in fall as I was deeply interested in transferring to one of them for fall, but like i said i chose Miami, and I do not regret it. However, transfers of the past (cousin's bf from Binghamton transferred to WASHU with a 3.5 after his freshman year) and this is the magic number that everyone told me including college admission officers at both schools. Though Miami told me you needed a 3.4 minimum and I got in with a 3.3 GPA, so you have a chance. Though since my 3.3, I have a very competitive GPA for second semester of my freshmen year and considering transfer to Goizueta or Wharton for junior year. And the letters from President Shalala should definitely boost your chances as long as it's not a template and something she writes personal about you.</p>

<p>thanks for the detailed reply. yeah the 3.3 was because i was taking high level major courses, which were pretty advanced...the president said it would be personal and very good and told me to pick any schools i wanted and she would write me a rec to them, so im wondering if that means i can pretty much go anywhere? you should definitely look into emory and wharton.</p>