Desperate.

Transfer Students
1

<p>I am currently attending a community college in Maryland. I graduated from a high school that pumps out less than stellar test scores and almost no graduate from my high school ever goes to a major university. </p>

<p>That said, my high school GPA was around a 3.0 (maybe a little lower) while my SAT scores were WELL BELOW the national average.</p>

<p>I’ve been in college for a year and have accumulated 28 credits, and as of now, I have a 3.71 GPA. Next semester, I know I’ll be raising that for sure, because I’m now beginning to take some of the classes that I have an actual interest in.</p>

<p>BTW, my major is Political Science/International Affairs. </p>

<p>My situation is that I want to get into some really good schools, however my high school transcript and SAT scores are still holding me back, despite the fact that I’m applying as a transfer. It’s almost as if every college-sub-forum on this site that I go to and do the “chance me” thread, everyone tells me that I have no chances. </p>

<p>My question is, which colleges would be willing to take me? It seems that I have absolutely no chance of getting into my dream schools no matter how much I improve my GPA (Johns Hopkins, College of William and Mary, UVA). Since I have no chances at those schools because I’m constantly told by others who attend those schools that I don’t, which schools should I apply to?</p>

<p>Keep in mind, I really want a school on the east coast, and if possible, a non-state school. </p>

<p>Which schools should I apply to (that I have a decent shot at) that have good Political Science/International Affairs programs? </p>

<p>Thanks for your time.</p>

2

<p>Johns hopkins is one of the few that doesn't require standardized tests. Just get a 4.0 next semester, spend a LOT of time on your essays and apply. IF you're willing to retake the SAT's or ACT, then you'll have more options.</p>

3

<p>I've already applied to Hopkins once, as a first year transfer and got rejected. Perhaps with more rec. letters and better grades, I might get in? </p>

<p>I do a lot of honors work (which shows up on the transcript) and I did write about a disability that I was born with.</p>

<p>Would Hopkins care to see that I applied again because I REALLY WANT TO GET IN? Or would it not make a difference with them?</p>

4

<p>applying as a sophomore transfer means that your HS record and scores will be heavily emphasized. Now that you are applying as a junior transfer, there will be more emphasis on your college record... and 3.71 is a great GPA.</p>

<p>Now as far as how willing you are to go to get into some of the schools you mentioned... you should continue to keep your GPA high, retake the SAT, and write strong essays on why you want to transfer.</p>

<p>Don't let others think you won't be able to get in because a couple of people with bad HS stats got into amazing schools this past year.</p>

5

<p>If you have a dream, do not give up. And above all, do not listen to naysayers, because very often they have no idea what might actually happen. Just keep plowing ahead. Why don't you request an interview? Maybe if your passion is evident, you might achieve your goal. Good luck. And, again,don't give up.</p>

6

<p>I'd love to request an interview. However, as with MOST transfers, they don't give interviews. All I can do is just call, and book tours so that hopefully they see my name enough times to understand my zeal.</p>

<p>My main school is Johns Hopkins. I'd do anything to get in. And it just seems useless having to compete with people, like me, who just happened to do EXTREMLY well in high school.</p>

<p>The problem that most schools don't see is that when you're in a BAD environment, where academics are not important, and you do not come from a privileged family who pushes you towards your future, it's different. Colleges don't understand that, and it's a shame. Most people in high school don't know how important college is. Most people don't have dreams when they're that young. But I did, yet was too apathetic to do anything about it. </p>

<p>What am I to do? I can't be honest and tell Hopkins University a story like that, because they wouldn't care about how social-economic backgrounds can affect your goals. All I can do is continue to do my best in hopes that they do see something in me...</p>

<p>It's just not fair that no matter how hard I try now my high school grades will always be there to haunt me. And the worst part about it is that there's nothing that can be done about it.</p>

7

<p>it's not that they don't care... they take kids from a ton of backgrounds. However, they won't know unless you tell them. You can't just have them assume things.</p>

<p>I think your main essay should talk about those things. This is where it gets tricky. You don't want it to be a sob story. However, you do want to say things in an honest and sincere manner.. and the most important part is to show that you've learned from it and overcame it.</p>

<p>You have a chance, now just buckle down, retake those SATs/ACTs and write some good essays!</p>

8

<p>Thanks. Many schools tell me not to bother retaking the ACT/SATs because "they predict how well one is going to do in college." So, basically, if I have a higher GPA in college than I did in high school, yet low SAT scores, it proves that they didn't determine my true potential. That and plus many schools don't accept SATs after one is in college. </p>

<p>I suppose I'll just have to raise my GPA back up above a 3.8 range in order to be somewhat eligable. That and just write about my improvments and the changes I've made, and why I made them. </p>

<p>I won't make it a pathetic sob story, but I'll make it as sincere as possible.</p>

<p>Do good Essays really make a big difference, or is it the GPA that counts the most in the end?</p>

9

<p>Essays are the most important. I still think you should take the ACT. If you do bad on it then it means you're just not a good test taker so send them your 'well below the national avergae' SAT scores from high school. They'll probably not care that much about your scores since 1)You took it years a go and 2) yyou have a 3.71 GPA. But I would follow Jimmy's advice, that is, talk about why you did poorly in high school and how you have grown/matured. But take the test first, see how you do and go from there....</p>

10

<p>hey moral i sort of have the same problem</p>

<p>I didn't apply myself all that well in high school (somewhere around 3.0 and avg?below avg SATs), but I took 3 years off from college after withdrawing from UMass AMherst where I attended directly out of high school. Since my return to school I have amassed about 40 credits along with a GPA of 3.7. The funny thing is, I would really like to go to Johns Hopkins as well. However, after this semester I'll only have 2 more classes before my associates is complete, so I was contemplating just transferring now. Instead I am going to take a few more honors classes next semester along with those 2 classes that will fulfill my degree requirements so that I will have a good chance at Johns Hopkins as well. I will be applying as an Economics major and I hope to keep in touch with you throughout the application process considering we are both in a similar situation...</p>

11

<p>That’s pretty ironic! I’ve actually completed 28 credits, and hopefully my second year will be even better (prior to college I NEVER studied). I have a better routine now, and I finally have a car, so I can go to the library when need be. My grades should definitely go up from here, and I’ll be taking a few more honors classes. </p>

<p>I don’t know about retaking tests. It’s really the math part that’s killing me, plus almost EVERY college rep. I’ve spoken to has told me not to bother! It’s so frustrating! </p>

<p>I come from a low-income, single-parent home, bad environment, and was born with a rare bone disorder (genetic) that’s affected my walking, my height, and has kept me from participating in any physical after school activities. Sure, I was apathetic in high school but then I realized the importance of education. Now, my main aim in life is to get into a top 20 law school. Since LSATs are the most important factor (along with GPA and work experience) I’ve already begun studying for my LSAT (though it’s FOUR YEARS AWAY) and I started filling applications for internships. I won’t let what happened to me in high school happen to me in undergrad. </p>

<p>It’s not like I can get any job, and go to any large state school. I just want an environment, void of football frat boys, and filled with intellectuals who are willing to accept and talk to people who share their thoughts. </p>

<p>Should I include this in my essays? </p>

<p>Jimmy, since you’re a Williams student (that’s a wonderful achievement) do you have ANY advice at all on what I should put? And also, besides improving grades, what kind of clubs/organizations should I start?</p>

<p>And besides my dream schools (Hopkins, William and Mary, Boston College, GWU) are there any other schools that are both prestigious, and have good Political Science/International Affairs programs that I may have an actual shot at?</p>

<p>And Mo_Reezy, you should chat with me on AIM, same sn as my name on here.</p>

12

<p>"what kind of clubs/organizations should I start?"</p>

<p>the ones that you are passionate about...</p>

13

<p>Well, of course. Which schools look like a better match for me?</p>