Chance me? Hoping to transfer as rising sophomore fall 2014

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Notre Dame
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<p>Hi guys, I have been here a couple of times, so I am sorry if I am being a little too, i don't know, anxious. As a background, I am a freshman at Emory University and I want to transfer to ND as a rising sophomore for the fall of 2014. I really have tried to fall in love with Emory, and I erased ND from my mind for a whole month or so, so I can immerse myself in the Emory culture and community. Regardless, I can't see myself flourishing here for the next three more years. </p>

<p>With that said, my first semester isn't looking too great. Here are the grades I am expecting this semester:</p>

<p>4 credit class - A- (worst case scenario B+)
5 credit class - A
3 credit class - A
1 credit class - A
1 credit class - Pass
4 credit class - C+</p>

<p>I am expecting a C+ in my Bio 141 class this semester, and that will weigh down my GPA so much. I am expecting my GPA to be around 3.5 for my first semester of college. I did take 18 credits though, and the max a freshie at Emory can take is 19 credits. I have also been active on campus since day 1. </p>

<ol>
<li>Club Crew/Rowing (super demanding)</li>
<li>Filipino Student Association</li>
<li>Project SHINE (volunteer group, 3 hours per week, taught English to refugee kids)</li>
<li>Unite for Sight (volunteer group, fundraising)</li>
<li>Emory Environmental Alliance (campaigned for fossil fuel divestment, spread awareness about proper waste disposal)</li>
<li>Emory Generation Response Magazine (wrote articles for issues that came out this sem)</li>
</ol>

<p>I was fairly active in all my clubs, and I am not just listing them down here to look good. I am surprised I managed to do okay this semester with all of my commitments (maybe not so much in bio class). </p>

<p>In high school I was in the top 10% of the student body, and I graduated with a 3.95 weighted GPA. I forgot what my unweighted was, maybe 3.7, I don't know. I was also active in high school with varsity lacrosse, theater, and out of school volunteer work. My SAT was terrible so I took the ACT instead, and I got a 28 which I know is not very impressive. </p>

<p>I want to major in political science or international studies, though right now I am leaning towards double majoring in political science and Arabic. Emory doesn't offer Arabic as a major. </p>

<p>I love the community feel of Notre Dame. I have been to the campus before and I already felt like I belonged there even though I wasn't a student. </p>

<p>Do I sound like I have an okay chance at getting into ND? I know as a rising sophomore applicant it won't be so easy.</p>

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<p>Does your coursework at Emory align with the requirements for the First Year of Studies at ND? If not, it will pose a problem. Also, if your GPA remains in the 3.5 area, that will be well below the ND transfer average.</p>

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<p>I’m not sure about your chances because I think everyone has a shot, but I really think you should work for a higher GPA. ND’s ACT for transfers is lower but maybe you should try to take it again. Make sure to contact the transfer office. I think some of the requirements can be tricky so you may just want to be sure!</p>

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<p>Hey guys thanks for the responses. Yes, my course work for first and second semester align with their transfer requirements. I am really shooting for a higher GPA, and at this point my finals are the only hope I have. I will try my best to save my bio grade, but even if I do get a B- in it, that will make my GPA only a 3.6 still below the 3.7 average that ND transfer usually have. My other chance is to also write great essays on the transfer app. Sigh.</p>

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<p>Hey! I PMed you</p>

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<p>Hey georgetown14. I saw the PM thanks! I tried replying but apparently only people with 15 posts or more can PM.</p>

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<p>Oh okay! Feel free to answer on here if you’re comfortable. Also it writing about your interest to study Arabic could make you stand out if not many people are in the program!</p>

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<p>@georgetown14: Yes indeed I am Filipino, so I guess Asian haha. I mean on the common app there are a lot of other questions, and ND will see that I wasn’t born in the states, my dad did not have a college education, and that I am an only child. But my main concern are my academics, since as a rising sophomore transfer they will be looking heavily at my first semester in college and my high school transcript. I feel confident about my performance in high school. I was president of a club in 11th grade, I did varsity lacrosse all four years, I was active in theater (school and regional competitions), I volunteered at various family shelters, I was part of NHS and language honors societies…but I am not sure if all of those activities will really matter on my application. I am listing mainly the EC activities I have done this first semester, but I am also mentioning recent activities I did before entering college (like stuff in 12th grade).</p>

<p>I did consider retaking the ACT. My adviser though, because I am a Jack Kent Cooke scholar, said that the ACT doesn’t really matter at this point since I am already in college, and the test is meant for high school kids to test their readiness for college. I am still undecided whether or not I will retake it though.</p>

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<p>I’m pretty sure if you applied last year ND has all your high school stuff on file. Wow you seem like a great candidate I can’t believe they missed you the first time! </p>

<p>As for the ACT, not taking it again may not make a huge difference, but a new higher score could definitely help, right? :slight_smile: I especially think if your GPA is weak, the admissions counselor could make a better case for you if you are have great test scores. </p>

<p>I feel like I’m talking to my future self. I got the same ACT and I’ll probably have to try to transfer next year to get into ND.</p>

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<p>I couldn’t imagine it would hurt if you retook the ACT, it would definitely show that you really want to transfer, as it seems that it is the weakest part of your application. That C+ will definitely hurt, but if you can get solid grades next semester and get your ACT help you should be in good shape.</p>

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<p>I thought I would just update you guys on my GPA. It turns out I didn’t get a C+ in Bio 141 because I did better on my final than I anticipated. So I got a B in my Bio 141 class. It sucks though how big a difference a B in a 4 credit class makes in your GPA. These are the grades I earned first semester:</p>

<p>5 credit class - A
4 credit class - A
4 credit class - B
3 credit class - A
1 credit class - A
1 credit class (satisfactory/unsatisfactory does not count on GPA) - S</p>

<p>GPA first semester: 3.76</p>

<p>I saw that the average GPA for U of ND transfers is 3.7. Though a 3.76 isn’t as high as I would have hoped to get my first semester, I am still content with it. I will be sending U of ND descriptions and syllabi of all my classes along with my transfer application. Do I have a better chance at ND now?</p>

<p>By the way, for anyone who is thinking of retaking the ACT or SAT, I contacted a U of ND transfer counselor, and they said they would not recommend retaking the tests. They said the fact that we are in college already makes retaking the tests almost pointless, and it would be better to focus on getting the highest cumulative GPA we can get.</p>

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<p>I think you have a much better chance now! You did everything you could with the amount of time to bring up your grades so feel proud :slight_smile: </p>

<p>Thanks for the info about the ACT :slight_smile: I didn’t get in so I may be in your shoes next year</p>

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<p>Hey rdlp123,</p>

<p>I transferred into Notre Dame as a sophomore last fall after a year at Clemson University. My stats were something like this:</p>

<p>2.8 Unweighted GPA in High School
4.0 both semesters at Clemson (I kind of found myself in college haha)
2270 SAT
Phi Sigma Pi and Alpha Lamda Delta honor societies at Clemson</p>

<p>I can tell you the single most important thing I did as a prospective transfer (in regards to the application) was blow up the Transfer Councillor’s inbox with emails. Because fall transfer classes are typically in 150 person range, it makes a difference for you to be personally in contact with the admissions councillor. You’re right about the ACT/SAT stuff; it helps to be strong but its not crippling as long as you don’t bomb it. From talking to the guys who transferred in with me, Notre Dame is much more concerned with GPA. Also, it helps to be passionate about Notre Dame on your application. Make sure they know that it’s not just about transferring out of Emory, its about transferring into Notre Dame. </p>

<p>As a prospective PoliSci person you definitely want to touch on that in your essay as well. It wouldn’t hurt to mention some reasons Notre Dame’s PoliSci program specifically would help you with your future career and intellectual goals. Maybe even namedrop a professor or two if there’s anyone you’re passionate about. For me, the reason I transferred to ND was their Program of Liberal Studies, and I spent a solid third of my admissions essay talking about how excited I was about that program.</p>

<p>Your extracurrics look great, especially the stuff you did this semester at Emory. The high school sports thing is great too. I think like 1 in 5 Notre Dame kids was captain of something in high school, so they definitely appreciate the leadership value of sports.</p>

<p>If you have any specific questions, I get back to South Bend next monday and I know most of the guys who transferred in with me, so I can ask around. I feel like there might even be someone who transferred from Emory, but I’m not sure about that.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>@irishtransfer13 Thanks so much for that! I have been in constant contact with Mr. Perkins for the last two to three months. I literally email him about my class choices, how and when to send bits of my application, and so on. Did you apply to other schools as well? Notre Dame is my number one choice, but I am also applying to other schools. My main Common App essay is a general one that I will be sending to all my schools, but on the ND supplement, I definitely tried to show my enthusiasm and yearning to go to ND as best as I could in 250 words.</p>