Do most colleges look at a transfer's extracurriculars?

Transfer Students
1

<p>I had a 2.3 in high school, went to a school for a year and probably got about a 1.5, then went to community college. I have about a 3.8 here and am graduating this fall. I have a pretty neutral SAT, but I think I have pretty good essays and could get a good recommendation—and I'm a "first generation college student" whose single parent makes less than $30,000 (which may or may not be a good thing). The biggest problem for me will be my extracurriculars. I'm not very impressive—I've worked a few jobs, volunteered at a theater, won a poetry contest. Nothing that exciting. I live in a small town, without much to do, nor any money or motivation to do it, and was generally more worried about teaching myself a little philosophy (my intended major) rather than joining some sports team. </p>

<p>Anyway, do most colleges pay attention to a transfer's extracurriculars? Should I find something to do before I apply? Or should I just worry about keeping my GPA up throughout the fall? I'm applying to semi-reach schools (Brandeis, UVA, William & Mary) who don't interview transfers.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Yes, schools pay great attention to your extracurriculars. Aside from your essays, that’s the only way they can get a glimpse into who you really are and if you seem like the type that would fit best at their school.</p>

3

<p>Yeah, especially small liberal art schools, eh?
Would trying to join anything now even help me, at this point?</p>

4

<p>Nothing I do even <em>translates</em> into a club form! What a life.</p>

5

<p>I got into Uva and another school recently as a transfer and I did not have many ec’s. I was in one club and played some intramural sports. I did not have any professor recs either. My essays were unique and I had a 3.8 college gpa which I think got me in.</p>

6

<p>I got into every school I applied to over the last 2 years (clemson, cornell, univ georgia, univ s. carolina, northeastern, st. johns, loyola univ) and I have absolutely ZERO EC’s. My acceptance to cornell was almost entirely due to an articulation agreement, so I would disregard that–but for the rest of the schools, EC’s seem to be ineffectual. I’m coming from a CC. I never sent a single school my HS transcript either. Unfortunately, the schools you mentioned seem like the type that would in-fact be interested in EC’s (just an assumption though).</p>

7

<p>You said you liked to teach yourself philosophy, work with that. If this was a serious hobby write about it! Colleges like to see passion for something if you dont’ show it through your EC’s show it through your hobbies.</p>