Do I seem like a viable candidate for transferring?

<p>I am a freshman at DePaul University in the honors program. I am really not liking it here. I understand it has only been a month, yet I feel very very strongly towards transferring out after this year, and I am definitely not the only one. First of all, I feel very isolated here at this college. People here are not friendly at all, and the social life is very stifling. There is no sense of community here. I have made some good friends here, but the social life is not what I'm looking for in a college. I also feel that the intellectual levels of the students here are too spread out. I am looking for a college that chooses its students for the person they are, and the character they have, and I dont feel that DePaul does this. I would prefer to also go back to the east coast, because I am missing it too much. I am at this university mainly because I had many issues at home that I had to deal with in high school, and I had graduated with around a 3.2 or 3.3 GPA (1 AP, 18 honors classes). I am also biracial (half African American, and half white). So basically I came to Chicago (I am originally from Boston), because I needed to get away from my home life that was suppressing my ability to achieve an adequate academic performance. </p>

<p>I did not do that great that semester. I got a 2.5. I went through my first break-up last semester and I was so emotionally distraught from it. But I have gotten over it.</p>

<p>Another big reason that I would like to transfer is that I am a poly sci major, however I really wish I could be an international relations major but DePaul does not offer this as a major. I hope to go into a career in international law. </p>

<p>In terms of extracurricular activities, I started a chapter of an organization here at DePaul that I was president of in high school for two years (as well as being on the national student leadership team senior year of high school as well as a mentor) and that I also have two national positions with currently.(one of the positions is being the national fundraising coordinator for the organization, and the other position is a regional organizer in charge of Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Illinois and all the high school and college chapters of the organization in these states such as at Northwestern, Swarthmore, Yale, ect. I get flown into DC a few times a year to attend global anti genocide summits and lobby events on congress) This organization relates a lot to the career I want to have in international law. My ACT is very low at a 26, (32 reading, 27 writing, and 23 math and science). I can definitely retake this for a higher score. (For this ACT test anyway I was not even trying my hardest. I kind of lost focus and motivation after the second section) I am planning my own national conference here in Chicago, and I have started an education initiative within the chicago public schools. I was also really involved in orchestra in high school (i played violin for 10 years), and i was in 3 orchestras in high school. (I dont play currently in college, because you have to be in the music school to be in the orchestra)</p>

<p>I did poorly last semester. (it was all gen ed courses basically) Now I am taking all higher level classes. (300 level poly sci class, 200 level foreign policy class, ect) I am doing very well. </p>

<p>I expect my gpa to be about a 3.5 by the end of the year. Is this really too low for Emory? </p>

<p>I definitely want to have an interview. I am not sure whether I should apply this march for september admission, or wait til next november to apply for jan 2013?</p>

<p>In any case, do I seem like a viable candidate at all?</p>

<p>I’ll be very honest with you: and this may not be the news you’re looking for. I was a transfer student to Emory, and based on my understanding I do not think you would be a good candidate to transfer–at least not yet. </p>

<p>The absolute most important thing in lateral college transfers is your <em>college</em> GPA and performance. Low high school GPAs can be forgiven, and explained away; but colleges put a lot of weight on your performance at other colleges. There honestly isn’t really any thing in your record (high school, ACT, or college) that demonstrates your potential. </p>

<p>That being said, hope is not lost! You’re a freshman! You need to demonstrate what you’re capable of, and then you can explain your extenuating circumstances in an application essay. Retake any classes that are eligible for freshman forgiveness (generally a D or lower at most schools), retake that ACT and get that score above at LEAST a 28 or around a 2100 SAT, and keep up the extracurriculars. In time, if you can demonstrate your focus and ability you might be better seated for a transfer. </p>

<p>I’m sorry that I don’t have more positive news. Good luck in your efforts!</p>

<p>The college record seems fine, but the high school record looks light. I don’t know how much weight Admisssions will give to college versus high school records. I say go for it. Make sure Admissions understands your story.</p>