Hi,
In my last semester of community college, getting ready to transfer. All I ask for is honesty. What are my chances?
Here’s my info:
- Major: Philosophy
- Cumulative GPA: 3.7 (4.0 Term GPA for the last 4 semesters, 4.0 GPA in major coursework)
- 44 college credits total
- 1 Letter of Rec from Philosophy professor
- A good admission essay
- I will (intend is an understatement) get an MA in Philosophy.
I should add–CU Boulder has a great, nationally-ranked undergraduate philosophy program, but it’s consistently been one of their more under-enrolled programs since the last recession. This would seem to work in my favor?
So far so good, BUT…
- ECs: None (living off of loans, grants, scholarships, and studying 10 hours per day)
- I don't have a high school diploma, I have a GED.
[My GED test scores were considerably better than average but not above the 75th percentile. In my defense--if it helps my case--I was truant for most of my high school career.]
- My cumulative high school GPA was something like 1.6. I was also expelled for possession of marijuana.
- Criminal Record: Deferred Judgment and Sentencing for Contributing to the Delinquincy of a Minor (this is my foremost concern)
[This charge is normally a felony; but since it was my first, they allowed me to plea down to 'deferred judgment.' Essentially, the prosecutor drops the charge from a felony to 'deferred judgment' once one fulfills the terms of a punitory agreement--typically, probation, drug tests, community service, etc. I use to sell weed to 16-year-olds in a well-to-do neighborhood when I was 17-20 y/o. I did okay. My mom was unemployed for more than a year prior to me beginning, and I couldn't afford our living expenses working 80 hours a week on minimum wage. I regret the decision; in hindsight, there were alternatives.]
- I failed 5 college classes my 2nd and 3rd semester. I have made them up with all As. My CC's policy is to replace the failing grade with the passing grade. The arc of improvement in my performance since that time, in my opinion, should rule out any doubt concerning my future performance. My professors and advisors agree--however, I don't know how an admissions officer will see it, and/or my professors and advisors were trying not to put me down.
[This is when I was selling weed, probably significantly depressed, unmotivated, and had been high on hydroponically grown kush 24 hours a day for 8 years.]
I haven’t used drugs or alcohol since I got arrested two years ago. Anybody who knows me will avow that I am an entirely different person.
Thanks,
sorrymom
I’ve only applied to UCs from a California community college, so take what I say what a grain of salt. But I don’t see why you’d have such a big issue transferring, as CU Boulder has a ridiculously high acceptance rate, and you are a great student academically. Kudos for turning your life around. I think that the deferred judgement part is huge (although I’m not 100% sure what that is), as a felony might’ve left you in a hopeless situation. In my personal opinion, colleges should be more open to accepting students like you, instead of shunning them down because of the criminal record. How can we expect people to rehabilitate and fix themselves if they don’t have any incentives to make a better life for themselves? Plus, it’s not like it was a felony on your record. Either way, I really don’t know about the impact of that particular criminal record, and you should really talk to your counselor/ CU admissions counselors about it. Did you have to mention it on your app? If so, were you able to explain it?
That being said, not to sound like a judgemental a-hole, but I think you should just not even bother mentioning the part about your mom having to work so much so it affected your decision to sell weed. Obviously, as you even admit it, there were other alternatives and it was ultimately you who decided to go down that path, no one else.
Also, I don’t think the high school part is important. Because CU is a public state school, I’m sure it operates the same way that UCs do in that they don’t care at all about your high school academic record. As far as your GED, as long as it enables you to be an eligible student at CU, it shouldn’t cause any issue.
Again, good job turning it around. I hope you continue on this path and serve as an example to other people who made the same mistake as you.
@ericbadmon
Thanks for the encouragement and kind words.
I’m from CA, and less familiar with the atmosphere in CO, but weed is now legal in CO, so I imagine your crime would not be considered as severe as if you had sold hard drugs. Of course, you broke the law and you should be honest about that on your application, addressing it in your essay prompts. Showing maturity and understanding of your past actions will help, and admissions will probably look favorably on you.
You should be mindful of the party culture at Boulder though. You will need to work extra hard to avoid falling into the party trap, and neglecting your studies. Choose your group of friends wisely.
@stardustmom
Thanks for the response.
That’s a valid concern. I am, however, not interested in the party culture at Boulder. I have neither the funds nor the desire to spend the limited amount of time I have at Boulder going to parties. I am a little bit older than the typical student there, and I’ve wasted enough time as it is. My primary interests in Boulder are their philosophy department’s intellectual culture and concurrent BA-MA program.
Thanks for your encouragement and concern.