College Freshman, Rough H.S.--Where to transfer?

Transfer Students
1

<p>I am currently a freshman at Radford University which is located in Radford, VA about 15 min away from Virginia Tech. I love the campus, the classes (for the most part), and the people are really nice. It has a reputation as a BIG party school in Virginia, even though there's only just over 8,000 people at the college. I am a "party girl" to an extent, but I feel I need a more challenging school as well, despite my high school record.</p>

<p>I'm not positive yet as to whether or not I should definitely transfer, but I am really considering it because I'm worried that I will not have as great of an opportunity to excel after graduation if I continue at this institute. After all, it is hard enough to get a job these days! In addition, Radford has an extremely rural atmosphere and with my hometown being a mere 25 minutes away from Washington, DC and not "country" whatsoever, I'll admit I am missing that "city life" aspect a descent amount. Not to mention that I love sports and Radford does not even have a football team (I know this should not be a sole reason to transfer).</p>

<p>I went to a pretty challenging catholic high school in Northern Virginia and didn't really ever study, do homework, etc. I basically needed to grow up on my own a bit, and I definitely have. I love the idea of college and the independence that comes with it. Moreover, I love the teaching style, class style and everything way more than that of high school. I am excited to do well and pursue a career after graduation, and I have literally done a 180 so far. </p>

<p>In summary, I'm hoping to be able to transfer to a large, more academically reputable school, with perhaps more school spirit and a better all around atmosphere. </p>

<p>GENERAL</p>

<p>Gender: Female
Ethnicity: White/Caucasian
-Resident of the state of Virginia </p>

<p>HIGH SCHOOL</p>

<p>GPA: 2.57 (weighted), unsure about unweighted, but most likely around the same
SAT: 1140/1600 (560 Reading, 580 Math)
1780/2400 (640 Writing)
ACT: Did not take</p>

<p>Course load: Pretty standard, no AP's, 1 honors course (Physics), 3 yrs Italian</p>

<p>EC's/Community Service: Member of the Italian club, member of Student Ambassadors for a year, and I honestly can't even remember the rest (I'll be looking into it all before the application process begins). We were required to do a lot of community service throughout HS. This included volunteering at shelters, nursing homes, etc. </p>

<p>Sports/Employment: Played Freshman basketball (Fresh yr) and JV basketball (Soph yr). I worked as a hostess at Outback Steakhouse from March 2009 (Junior yr) until August 2010 (went off to college). </p>

<p>Applied to: Radford University, East Carolina University, College of Charleston, University of Tennessee, and Georgia Southern University.
Accepted: Radford University, East Carolina University, Georgia Southern University
Denied: University of Tennessee, College of Charleston
-Ended up attending Radford because of in-state tuition, but I wanted to go to ECU, I was just worried about the expense in the long run. </p>

<p>COLLEGE</p>

<p>GPA: First semester isn't even over yet, and I hope to not be ridiculed for saying this, but I am confident I can get a 3.6 or above for each semester this year. Tests/quizzes/homework are all going very well so far. </p>

<p>Course load: First semester-Eng 101, World Hist since 1500, Intro to Sociology, Univ 100 Intro to Higher Education (We had to take this for fresh yr, only worth 1 credit), The Art of Jazz (getting elective out of the way), Math and Human Society (I was ****ed about this. This class is easier than any of the math I took in high school. However, I went to the last orientation and this was the last math available, so consequently, I will be taking another math course next semester (calc or similar) and a science course simultaneously). I'm just worried that a few colleges will look at my first semester and think that I just wanted a good grade in math so I took an easy class, even though that is not the case. I hope they will look into my second semester before flat out denying me. </p>

<p>EC's: A lot of clubs haven't started up yet, but I am signing up for the school newspaper, American Marketing Association, possibly R-Space (organizes campus events), possibly the school lit magazine, and possibly a sorority. </p>

<p>Employment: I got an internship with a television broadcasting company located in Washington, DC for my winter break (about a month in duration) and for this upcoming summer (2011) when I am home from college. </p>

<p>Intended Major: Communications, focusing on Media Studies. However, I have researched a lot and have began to see how many people say this major is a "soft option." After seeing this, I am intending to either double major or minor in Marketing or English in addition to Comm. </p>

<p>Positive things going for me: 1) I love writing, so I believe I'll be able to put forth some great essays when applying. 2) I should be able to get good recommendations because I've been able to get to know my professors being that I attend a more intimate school. 3) I have an upward trend that slowly began in high school, and if I get between a 3.5-3.9 GPA (I am confident) both semesters this year, it will have immensely improved. </p>

<p>I know that one's high school record still usually matters a lot when trying to transfer after only one year of college. However, I am still going to try after this year and the worst that can happen is I get denied and can always try next year. With that said, some schools I am looking at transferring to for FALL 2011 are:</p>

<ol>
<li>University of South Carolina </li>
<li>University of Tennessee (Again)</li>
<li>East Carolina University (Again, as I was accepted already, only concern is that this is not much of an academic improvement from Radford anyway)</li>
<li>Virginia Tech (I know it's a reach, but I'm trying. Also, it is still in a small town just like Radford, but I felt like the large atmosphere, school spirit/sports, and academics would be a tremendous improvement and therefore I would not mind the tiny town as much at all).</li>
<li>University of Texas, Austin (Definitely a reach)</li>
</ol>

<p>Does anyone have any other suggestions based on my criteria above? I really want to research an abundant amount of schools and would be very thankful if you had anymore for me to look into. Most of these are out of state for me, but I'm thinking that if my grades are very good this year that I could possibly get into Tech (in state) or maybe get some $ (I know it's far-fetched haha). </p>

<p>Thank you :)</p>

2

<p>With your high school GPA, your best options are to either </p>

<p>a) stay at Radford for two years in order to reach the point where your HS grades really won’t matter</p>

<p>or</p>

<p>b) transfer at the semester to NOVA (or another Virginia CC), complete your AA degree, and apply for transfer to a 4-year institution. </p>

<p>You don’t seem to like Radford much, but the money issue that made you choose it over ECA is not going to change. One year is probably not enough time to show that you have your act together academically, so you would be best off working on your grades for another year before you apply for transfer.</p>

3

<p>@happymomof1 Thanks for the advice. I’m not miserable at RU in the least, I’m having fun, and if I do have to stay here 2 years I won’t be heartbroken. I did just want to see if it looked like I had a chance to transfer out in a year though because that is what I really want to do. I’m still going to try because the worst thing that can happen is I get denied (even though the cost to submit applications is annoying) and I’ll have a greater chance the following year. </p>

<p>Anyone else have any other comments/suggestions?</p>

4

<p>Anyone else? Pleasee</p>

5

<p>Why not take the cc approach, some times cc has better classes.</p>

6

<p>No offense to anyone at community college (I think they are great), but I thought that generally speaking, university classes are harder than CC classes. If I am not able to transfer at all after the year I’ll stay at Radford for another year and then see if I will apply to transfer again.</p>

7

<p>@happymom Also, I wanted to say that University of South Carolina and University of Tennessee both have late transfer deadlines (July 1/June 1). I e-mailed the admissions people for both schools and asked if it would hurt my chances if I sent in my application around mid-May (I figured they might have too many transfer applications in by that time and I would sort of be tossed aside with my high school record). However, they both said it should not hurt my chances, but I can also apply in the winter after my first semester is completed and then send my final transcript in mid-May and they will look at that. Do you think this helps, as those schools would at least see a full college year for me?</p>

<p>Thank you :)</p>

8

<p>I was in a similar situation to you last year. I transferred to a community college. It is easier to get accepted as a transfer from a 2 yr institution because of the fact that you have to transfer in order to continue. Further, you will more than likely receive more aid as a CC transfer. Finally, some transfer programs through CCs offer guaranteed admissions programs. these are the reasons for going to a CC. </p>

<p>There is however a downside:
“No offense to anyone at community college (I think they are great), but I thought that generally speaking, university classes are harder than CC classes.” </p>

<p>After leaving a university to go to a CC I agree with this statement. University classes expect more from you as a student than CC do.</p>

<p>Further, the atmosphere at a CC is different. It is harder to make friends and in general they are more conservative (my experience). </p>

<p>Now that my CC rant is over, I believe you would be best off attending a CC next year because of the benefits. If you do not think the benefits outweigh the costs, I recommend staying at your current school another year. This will give you an opportunity to solidify your college GPA and make you average H.S. scores matter much less. </p>

<p>“Do you think this helps, as those schools would at least see a full college year for me?” - I think it is in your best interest to send your application as early as possible. Including an unofficial progress report for the part of the term you have completed will give them an idea. Then follow up with an official transcript later. This will give you a better chance of getting accepted early and locking up potential limited scholarship money. </p>

<p>tdccarpenter</p>

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<p>@tdccarpenter Thank you very much for the response! If I don’t get into any of my desired colleges as a transfer after this year, I think I will stay at Radford University for another year. I don’t have anything against CC, I just don’t know if it would be as helpful for me to go to a 4 year university for a year and then go to a CC for a year. I’m confident that if I don’t get in anywhere, I will get in somewhere as a junior the following year due to less emphasis on high school performance in general (my weak area). </p>

<p>In response to your answer about the time to send in my apps, I kind of agree. This question is certainly the reason I felt inclined to e-mail both admissions offices. The only reason I’m worried about applying on the earlier side is because I feel like since they would only have my first semester grades at the time coupled with my high school records they would simply toss me aside and not really care about my final transcript. I am wondering if submitting my entire year of college course work at the same time may sort of balance out their idea of my academic potential to some degree. I just want to make sure I’m not creating a disadvantage for myself. </p>

<p>In summary though, I definitely will take your opinion into consideration when finalizing my decision! Thank you again. :)</p>

10

<p>Anyone else have any feedback? Thanks in advance.</p>