Chance for Georgetown and such

Transfer Students
1

<p>Applying to Georgetown (dream school), GWU, American, Fordham, BU, William & Mary, Hopkins as a transfer. Want to do IR. </p>

<p>Freshman in my CC right now, rated as one of the country's best CC's. </p>

<p>High school was bad - but I have a story to go with it. 2.8-2.9 gpa. Moved around alot, etc. SATs sucked, 1400s. But I was accepted to two out of the four private schools I applied to, and got a scholarship for 20 grand. </p>

<p>Finished first semester with a 3.92 gpa. Took 6 classes. Took summer classes right out of high school and have a 3.5 in that.
Cumulative gpa is a 3.81 but Im taking a winter class also. If anything it'll be upto a 3.85-3.9 possibly, maybe a 3.86.</p>

<p>EC's at school (college):
New York Public Interest Research Group
Muslim Students Association
PeaceWork (club founded at school and is just at the school now)
Amnesty International: President
South Asian Student Association
Honors Club
PTK
School system is weird: club hour is tuesdays & thursdays with every club meeting from 11:30-12:45 so it's hard to go to other clubs in that limited amount of time.</p>

<p>EC's at high school:
Model UN
Mock Trial
Spanish Club
Culture Club
S.A.D.D
Key Club
Interact Club</p>

<p>Can't remember the others right now but there are a few more. </p>

<p>Also:
Communications Manager of a local up and coming NGO focused on Human Rights and such in Pakistan.
UNICEF Volunteer
Young Democrats of America / Also part of county chapter</p>

<p>Made the Deans List and will be in the honors program in the Spring - both will be on transcript. Also will join PTK. Rec's will be good - the Prof's love me. </p>

<p>I'm trying for an internship at an NGO such as Amnesty International or Open Society for next semester. </p>

<p>Is my gpa good? I mean is 3.8 considered a good gpa from a CC?</p>

<p>Thanks guys</p>

2

<p>Based on your high school stats, I would wait another year to apply if you can stand it. That way you can get as close to a 4.0 as possible, and your poor high school record will have less weight. Keep in mind, though, that top colleges will still consider your entire academic record regardless. You can’t change your GPA, but your SAT scores are, at this point, a major detractor from the rest of your application, and I would strongly suggest retaking the test. Even so, you’ll need to report scores from all test dates to Georgetown since they don’t recognize Score Choice.</p>

<p>Take another year, get as close to a perfect GPA as possible, build your resume, and retake your SATs. After that, you should have a solid chance at most of these schools, although Georgetown, Hopkins, and William and Mary will still be a challenge. You could probably get into American and Fordham as it stands but if financial aid is a concern it would be much better to wait until your sophomore year, especially for American.</p>

3

<p>Once again, everyone else will try and get you to transfer in sophomore year. I say do whatever you want, except for trying to explain away your low high school grades and SATs. Admissions officers would rather see someone accept their circumstances and move forward instead of someone who dwells enough on their past mistakes to see their experiences as misfortunes, instead of valuable learning opportunities.</p>

4

<p>Yeah that’s the thing, I wanna leave ASAP that’s why I took the heavy load, I’ll have 30 credits by the time Spring starts. GW, Fordham’s policy is 30+ and no hs record or sats and American is 24+. William & Mary say a year but Im gonna ask if they have a certain credit number, Hopkins is also 24 but they still want hs record.</p>

<p>Im hoping that the upward trend will play to my advantage. I took the SAT 3 times, and did Princeton review, just didn’t work out for me. Id rather pay someone, lol that was just plain sarcasm. But there’s a lot of arguments against them, apparently they’re, if anything now, supposed to test your first year in college, its only been my first semester and I already have a 3.8 so im not sure about that either. Maybe if my essay to them is somewhat of an argument against the sats with sources or something and obv including my story, the crap ive been through like serious family problems, and everything.</p>

<p>Well yeah im not just gonna be dwelling on the past, obviously the situations i have been through have changed me and my life drastically, i learned valuable life lessons and im sure to put those in my essay, how much ive grown and became stronger.</p>

5

<p>No, I believe you are drastically misunderstanding me.</p>

<p>Your reasons against taking SATs are going to sound like excuses to admissions officers. Now, if you did well on the SATs yet still criticized them anyway, you would have a different story on your hands.</p>

<p>By all means include special circumstances on the section which asks for them, but don’t turn them into some dramatic tale of redemption in your essay. The purpose of a transfer essay is to tell colleges why you want to go there. Like, you want to go to Georgetown because their business school is good, or whatever.</p>

6

<p>Ok I got you now. A part of me kind wants to try and take the SATs again my mom told me to also but I’m just afraid I guess of spending that money, most likely knowing I won’t get a good grade. But then again there still are many arguments as to why many students dont do well on them and why students in other countries are smarter than most of us now and get accepted to better schools, there was an article about that in washington post.</p>

<p>Also, what about the schools that I wont have to send my HS record and SATs for? Those include Fordham, American & GWU. Chances good or bad?</p>

7

<p>^If I have understood your situation correctly, you’re not particularly confident that you’ll do well on the SATs. If this is the case, you might want to scrape Georgetown off the list because anything below an 1800 is really low for their standards (sorry, dude, I’m not trying to be unnecessarily rude–just honest). If GW, AU, or Fordham allow you to waive hs records and/or SAT scores, I think those schools are your best bets. Just remember, however, that if you’re depending on financial aid, neither GW or AU meet 100% of the demonstrated need, meaning you’ll have to rely on private loans (those are just plain awful) to completely finance your education.</p>

8

<p>Yeah, no you’re right, I agree. Lol no hard feelings bro, honesty is the best policy. A part of me is questioning whether I should even apply or not but we’ll see. If anything I hope they see an upward trend.</p>

<p>But as you said, the other schools are my “best bets”, do you think I would actually stand or have a chance and have a possibility given their selectivity and grades they look at compared to mine?</p>

<p>Will they look down at a CC gpa? Someone else had that as a thread and people wrote saying colleges don’t scoff at CC gpas and don’t expect a 4.0 even from a CC student. My gpa will probably go upto a 3.86-3.9</p>

9

<p>Your strong GPA certainly won’t hurt you. Honestly, I find your case compelling because of the vast discrepancy between your SAT scores and your college record, and admins might as well. Is it a timed test issue? Do you get extra time on tests in college? If so, that would be an example of an extenuating circumstance that it would be worthwhile to include in your app and maybe even appeal to the College Board. Not trying to be condescending, I’m just trying to figure out while there’s such a noticeable dichotomy. </p>

<p>By all means, apply, but if you don’t get in, just try not to get crushed, you know? You still have next year, when the SATs will be given a lot less weight.</p>

10

<p>Haha that made me pretty happy and made me laugh. I was actually getting depressed about this whole situation with the SATs and Georgetown.</p>

<p>Honestly I dont even think it’s a timed issue and no I don’t get extra time. I was in AP classes in hs and stuff and even on our state tests - which are timed, I did very well, everything was above mastery, English and History (World & U.S) were 93, 97 and 94, Spanish was 85. </p>

<p>I honestly think because I really want to do well, and have such a drive and I know I’m capable, but I feel as if I add too much pressure maybe on myself. Like failure is not an option, I have to do well because I couldn’t change my gpa at that point, so that was the only thing I was relying on. And honestly I suck at math, math and I have never gotten along. My highest SAT is 1470. Math being the lowest at 400. I sort of feel afraid to take the test now, I was thinking about taking it again but the next is Jan 28th and that’s not enough time to I guess technically study ; and the one after is March 10th, after Georgetown’s deadline. I feel as if I’ve scared myself away from the test, and then seeing so many things against the SATs, various schools, sat-optionals, their meaning, various articles and such, and they gave me “comfort” if you get what I mean.</p>

<p>My SAT scores did go up, in each section. And in math they went up 40 then 20. But like I said, I think I put too much pressure on myself, it didn’t go the way I wanted and now I’m getting depressed because I really want to go to GTown and now I probably won’t. </p>

<p>I really do hope that they see the upward trend. I had so many things going on during high school, depression, almost killed myself, moved around a lot and other family problems that I gave up on HS and when it was the time to get serious, it was too late and the SATs were the only thing that were like my saving grace. I hope they see the upward trend, and if the SATs are supposed to measure how well I do in my first year of college, well I put a lot of pressure on myself during my first year as well. 3 classes in the summer right out of high school, 6 classes in the fall, and now I’m taking 2 classes. And I have a 3.8 gpa.</p>

<p>Idk we’ll see what happens. Maybe if I go to GW or AU, if I get accepted for a year then transfer? Not sure. But I feel like that’s just stupid. I don’t want to stay home at all, home situation is realllly bad and that was one of my major reasons for not doing well in HS.</p>

11

<p>I understand. I don’t personally think that the SATs are a good indicator of success in college at all. I would definitely apply, especially if you can’t stand your home situation, but I would add a few more safeties to your list. Have you considered Mary Washington or GMU? They’re in the the same area that you seem to be looking around in, and both might be more willing to overlook the standardized testing. It will look great that you’ve already taken so many credits, though. Just keep your grades up and don’t get discouraged, as hard as that may be; if you play your cards right, you will be accepted to a good school eventually.</p>

12

<p>I want to take a chance and I probably will end up applying. I’m also thinking if I should take the SATs again on the 28th or not, but like I said, there’s not enough time to study considering I’m also taking two classes and they end on the 19th and Spring semester starts the 23rd. I want to take them again, just to maybe see if my score goes up more but like I said Ive made myself afraid of that test now lol. And I know for Georgetown, they are pretty important. </p>

<p>I haven’t considered Mary Washington and GMU only because I’m stupid and when I look at schools I want to go to, I get very narrow and just pick 2 or 3 and stick with them. I really want to go to DC. Do you think I can get in GW or AU? Also what about going to one of those and then applying as a transfer again to Georgetown?</p>

<p>Ugh I wish I could just pay someone to take the SATs lol! Obv I’m not serious about it, just frustrated. I took these extra classes because I know at GW and AU I had the advantage of not sending in HS stuff and SATs and my application wouldn’t have anything to weaken it. But here we go again at Georgetown. Even one of their own students wrote in article in their paper about how Georgetown should go SAT optional. The title I think was “SATs to Georgetown are what an appendix is to the body”</p>

13

<p>And what do you think would be more important to mention or add to my essay?</p>

14

<p>Take the SATs again if you think you could actually significantly improve your score. I gotta say, though, if this is going to be the third or fourth time you’re taking them with no additional prep, it might be a waste of time/effort.</p>

<p>I understand having a narrow mindset, but you really should branch out more, especially if financial aid is a concern. I think you would probably be accepted at American since they really don’t put any weight on standardized tests, but they’re probably going to give you just loans for FA since they award scholarships mostly to incoming juniors and freshmen. As for transferring twice, it’s a risky game and I would avoid it if you can. As for GW, I’m honestly just not sure. It could happen, and you definitely have a better shot there than at Georgetown, but not a great one, unfortunately.</p>

<p>As of right now, I would highly encourage you to look at GMU and Mary Washington. GMU especially is really close to DC and I think it would offer some of the same opportunities in terms of internships and whatnot. Don’t give up on the other schools, but it’s important to make sure that you have viable options come May. </p>

<p>I feel you on the frustration with the SATs, I really do. But I think you have the advantage of being able to say, “This is who I am and I’m proof that standardized tests are BS.” As for what to add to the essay, I’m unsure what the options are, sorry. If you wanted to clarify I’d be happy to give my opinion.</p>

15

<p>Im not sending SATs and HS transcripts to GW either, I’ll have 30 credits, and that’s their waiver. AU and GW aren’t getting SATs or HS record. Im not sure if you knew that or you did and you still think I won’t have a good shot?</p>

<p>And the SATs - the 3rd time I took them, I took PR classes and well you know the outcome. I just wasnt focused on school and didn’t care. I just wanted to leave and start fresh.</p>

<p>Yeah with the essay I meant in terms of how to play up my college record more and sort of saying basically exactly what you just said. What more could I add to that? Lol I feel like if my essay is an argument against the SATs and a good one, maybe I’ll have a decent shot. Considering the fact that now even more students got arrested because of the SAT cheating and I read another article in the washington post today about kids from Asia paying agencies to make up fake trancripts or paying off schools to change grades and having someone take the SATs for those kids too. Along with adding the family stuff and other problems I had during HS.</p>

<p>I feel as if I get an internship at a place like Amnesty or Open Society, that could possibly boost up my application a bit more. Im also in the process of an article that I will try and get published or just have on Open Society’s blog.</p>

16

<p>Oh, yep, that will most likely make a tremendous difference. There’s a small chance they might wonder why you didn’t send them seeing as you are a freshman, but they’ll have no choice but to evaluate you based on what they require, and your college record is very good. Based on that info I’d say you have a much better shot, yes, but keep in mind that they’re going to have to make a judgment based on less than a year of your life essentially, which may not give them enough to go on.</p>

<p>I definitely wouldn’t make your essay a wholesale rant against the SATs, especially since they’re not even required for most of your colleges. Instead, focus on what you are looking for in a school and can bring to the community. Getting an internship or an article published will certainly look good as well. I don’t know how much of a boost it will give you, though, especially at Georgetown.</p>

17

<p>Right lol well yeah I’m def. not gonna make it about that. Its just frustrations.</p>

<p>In my essay, should I write about high school stuff and the problems Ive been through and how they made a stronger person and those situations have made me even more passionate about the work I want to do? I mean should I even mention the past stuff or not?</p>

18

<p>^Why not? Everyone likes a good overcoming obstacles story. What you need to do, however, is tie that in with the essay prompts, whether they are school-specific or for the common app. I think you’re honestly fine, given your current GPA at your CC and your ability to waive your hs transcripts/SAT scores at AU, GW, etc. But just to echo what I said before, in addition to what others have said to you, don’t get hooked on Georgetown.</p>

19

<p>Yeah haha I’m gonna have to make peace with reality about Georgetown.
For GW and AU since my whole plan was to send them my hs transcript, should I mention my hs grades and the upward trend or should I send my transcript along to show them? I’m not sending SATs but now I feel as if I’m in a predicament. I’m not sure on what to send or say to them.</p>

<p>And I also repeated a class that I took in the summer. Went from a C to an A. C’s gonna be on transcript along with the A. Good or bad? </p>

<p>Lol I feel like now I’m starting to get hooked on GW. I hope I have a good chance of getting in.</p>