Can a college graduate transfer to complete another undergraduate degree?

<p>I will receive my B.A. from a fairly respectable state school in May, but unfortunately my GPA is low—it’s around a 2.6. I would like to go to a good grad school, but I know that's not an option, so I was wondering if I could transfer to another college as an undergraduate and obtain another degree in a different major--sort of like a do-over.</p>

<p>Although my grades are low, I’ve been an athlete all throughout my college career (my team won the NCAA D3 National Championship), I’ve participated in clubs and other organizations, as well. </p>

<p>If this is possible, what schools would accept me?</p>

<p>If you graduate with your degree it's doubtful.. and I have seen many schools which wont let you apply as a Freshman for a second undergraduate degree.</p>

<p>If you didn't graduate for some reason you might have a shot depending on the specific schools you want to apply to, but you'd have an (IMO) uphill battle convincing the admissions committee why they should accept you as a transfer student in another major given your GPA and number of credits.</p>

<p>If you aren't happy with your current path, why not simply not graduate and change majors at your current school and work on getting your GPA up in the new major?</p>

<p>Do you dislike your current school? Was that a part of why your GPA was low?</p>

<p>First I went to a community college and I had a 3.4 GPA. I could have transferred to a number of places, but ultimately I chose my current school. The tuition is low, the athletic programs are great, and now I am able to say that I was a member of the best team in the country. But this is the problem: When I transferred my GPA was wiped to 0, I slacked off, took a few classes that I didn’t need (therefore didn’t care about), and I never considered my future. I’m a smart guy and I would like to continue my education, but because of my past mistakes, I don’t think I will be able to study at a respectable graduate school. </p>

<p>(I'm also not a big fan of my current school).</p>

<p>I still need to take the GRE’s, and I’m aware that a good score will help my chances, but my horrible GPA is weighing down my options.</p>

<p>I think a lot of second tier and below private colleges will happily work with you to get a second bachelors right now if you are a full pay student. These schools really need the money.</p>

<p>Back in the last century, I graduated from an LAC. I worked at various jobs (some actually related to my undergraduate major) for a couple of years, and thought seriously about my future. Then I applied to Iowa State U as a special student so that I could take classes in a completely new field of study with the plan of going to grad school in that field. Before classes started, I changed my status to "Senior Transfer", because I learned that that option would classify me as a Senior so I would be able to have first pick of classes. Special students had last pick. I took undergraduate classes at ISU for one year, and then became a "non-degree graduate student" for a semester, before applying to other graduate schools in my new field.</p>

<p>I got in everywhere I wanted to. I got full support at my first choice grad school. No one ever again looked at my 2.7 from my undergraduate college. They only cared about the 3.7 from ISU, the GRE scores, the nice letters of recommendation from my professors at ISU, and my statement of purpose.</p>

<p>I learned later that another graduate of my LAC had done essentially the same thing in the very same field. The only difference was that she actually completed a full second undergraduate degree (two years of classes in the new major) at her home-state public U before applying to grad school.</p>

<p>There are plenty of chances for do-overs in life. Pick a new major field that is a reasonable pre-requisite for your intended graduate program, and ask the colleges that offer it what you would have to do to be admitted.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the very best at your next college!</p>