Can I manage to get into a California State University with a crummy academic...

Transfer Students
1

<p>...record at a community college?</p>

<p>My GPA has sunk below a 2.0, but is now at a 2.7, I have more than 10 W's, and I've been attending this community college for almost 5 years.</p>

<p>My major is computer science and mathematics. I've changed my major three times while attending community college: from foreign languages (I know, completely unrealistic) to chemistry, from chemistry to physics, and from physics to computer science and mathematics.
I can no longer pursue my major at a community college because I've taken all the classes required for my major.</p>

<p>I am very ashamed of my record and always fear seeing an academic counselor.</p>

<p>The reason for this crummy record? I am a very nervous and introverted individual, I was a stutterer when little, so its molded me into this personality. I know that's a crummy reason, and I also know there are people out there with greater problems than I have, some who are even homeless, who can maintain a 4.0 GPA.</p>

<p>I am 23 years old, btw. I really like my major, and want to pursue it further, but my record gets me scared, and as I said, makes me feel shameful.</p>

<p>My calculus 3 professor, who works at JPL, I know, can write a good recommendation for me. I worked hard and did well in his class.</p>

<p>Should I see the school's counselor (not the academic one), so I can use that as a reason when writing my application essays?</p>

2

<p>I can relate to you on the stuttering, nervousness, and poor gpa. I am a confident guy now and don’t let my shortcoming in terms of speech get to me. I have a 2.3 now and have been accepted to average Cal States such as Northridge and Sac State. I am waiting on Pomona, SFSU, and Fullerton. I’m sure you’ll have a much better chance with your 2.7 and you’ll be able to raise it by the time you transfer. You’re applying to Fall 2012/Spring 2012 right?</p>

3

<p>The CSUs do not ask for recommendations (and even if you had one, there is no place to submit it!). </p>

<p>I do not believe CSUs even ask for a personal essay.</p>

<p>CSUs admit pretty much ONLY on a GPA basis, starting first with CCC transfers from the local service area (ie: CCCs in Santa Clara County are serviced by SJSU, etc.)</p>

<p>So the first thing to do is figure out your “local service area” CSU. (This is based on the CCC you have the most credits earned from, not necessarily where you live or currently attend school.) With a 2.7, you are almost guaranteed to get into the particular CSU that is in your CCC service area.</p>

<p>For less popular CSUs that are outside of your service area, you may also get in. Popular places like Fullerton, SJSU, are much less likely.</p>

<p>As far as I am aware, I don’t think the Ws factor in any way into the CSU transfer equation, so don’t worry about them at all anymore.</p>

<p>Trust me, no reason to fear seeing an academic counselor - they’ve seen far far far worse… students who have flunked all courses for semesters on end and riding a 1.0 GPA. Also, for CCC, 5 years is not a completely unusual amount of time–these students often have jobs, families, or other hardships they are juggling at the same time. </p>

<p>Be proud that you are almost ready for transfer! Take the transfer process for what it is – a numbers game with CSU. At each CSU you apply to, you’ll either make the cut or not based on the # of spots the budget allows. Know that there are a lot of students (the last few years have been a peak number of HS graduates) and that the budgets have forced CSUs and UCs to trim the number of spots given. So - a few rejections are just part of the experience for most students.</p>

<p>However! You should be able to get into several CSUs as long as you apply to the right mix of them. Apply to your local CSU (almost guaranteed admission), a few CSUs you like, and a few safeties that are not as popular. Because of impaction, many CSUs have been publishing their average transfer-GPAs and at times the cut-offs, so in many cases if you poke around enough, you can find the document that lets you know how you stack up to last year’s pool of applicants.</p>

<p>Lastly, realize that almost no one will EVER see your transcript in your adult life and career. Be proud of your education and your journey. The stumbles along the way have only given you experience and wisdom and it sounds like you have grown as a student and person along the way. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>