Dear Emory - Transferring with a Tragic GPA

Colleges and Universities A-Z Emory University
1

<p>Dear esteemed students of Emory,</p>

<p>Hello, there. I am a student at a local community college gearing up to finish her A.A. degree, with which I would like to transfer and continue my education. I've always had very high ambitions for myself, and the first year of school, I had good grades. Great, even--hovering around a 3.5 GPA, and moving towards a 3.75 or higher. I want to go into Creative Writing, so I've been looking at Reed University, Hamilton, Berkeley, Columbia, and, of course, Emory, for my program.</p>

<p>Trouble is, my second year I lost it. I underwent some seriously messed up life things, and basically gave up on life. Without going into detail, I tanked. Fortunately I was able to get the help I needed and some very supportive individuals got me out of my situation. That said, I damaged my GPA almost beyond repair.</p>

<p>That said, I still have high sights--I still want to go into school. I still have aspirations for Emory. However, with anything less than a 3.5 GPA, with a transcript and history as horrendous as mine, I don't know if I can. As one of the many faceless, nameless, "bright-but-screwed-up" individuals out here, I wanted to reach out and ask the opinions of some of you. I'm more than happy to expound on any of the points I've made so far.</p>

<p>Yes, I may sound pretentious.</p>

2

<p>Without knowing your GPA, I don’t know that we’ll be much help. If your GPA is below a 3.0, you will not clear the minimum requirement at most places.</p>

3

<p>If I am to continue on this track, I would clear a 3.0, but likely no higher.</p>

4

<p>The most important question is whether you will clear a 3.0 at the time of your application. I think that Reed makes it really difficult to transfer in as a junior. You’ll be better off if you have semesters of effectively all As and then one bad semester, followed by really good grades. </p>

<p>Make sure you consider your financial circumstances. Berkeley’s aid is going to suck if you’re not in state. Columbia and Emory may not be affordable if you’re too rich to get tons of need-based financial aid and not rich enough to pay the full freight. You could stay longer at the community college if you don’t get in where you want, but only you can know the value of the opportunity cost of not getting on with your life.</p>

<p>Also, if you can afford full freight, you can just more or less waltz into Columbia’s school of general studies and graduate with the same education (except the diploma will be in English instead of Latin): <a href=“https://gs.columbia.edu/”>https://gs.columbia.edu/&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;