ECs for an adult student from community college

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hello. :)</p>

<p>I'm 24 and I'm beginning class in the fall at Community College of Philadelphia. I plan to major in computer science.</p>

<p>I intend to take a rigorous course schedule, and I hope my essays and recs will be strong. But what kind of 'wow' factor can I realistically aim for as a non-traditional student at a CC? I checked out some of the 'CC Success' stories, and those people who got into fantastic schools often had ECs that just blew the mind (starting non-profits in their community, military reserve, etc). I don't know exactly what I'll be able to squeeze in my schedule (considering I've been out of school for so long and I'm aspiring towards a strong GPA), but are there any typical recommendations?</p>

<p>Just trying to plan ahead to strengthen my transfer profile. I know I won't be transferring into CMU or Stanford, but I'd love to get into UMass Amherst or PSU or UVA with a strong enough application to grab at least a little aid.</p>

2

<p>Most schools don’t require mind blowing ECs. You’ve been reading CC too long! Sure, Stanford does, but just good grades will get you into U Mass Amherst and most. The only issue–can you afford OOS publics? Virginia meets need, but the others don’t.</p>

3

<p>Here’s some input from a mom. First of all, are you going to work part time while you attend community college? If so, that’s a great EC. If not, I would not worry about this at all, you are correct to focus on your GPA-it is absolutely the most important.</p>

<p>Secondly, you are 24 and going back to school. I don’t think you realize how powerful this is in itself. Your courage, determination, and focus speak volumes about you as a person. You have maturity and life experience, this is great. Try not to compare yourself to the younger, traditional students on this site; they are coming from a place different than you.</p>

<p>My guess is that if you throw yourself 100% into your studies, opportunities will present themselves, you just have to keep your eyes open. For example, perhaps you take a computer science course and really hit it off with the instructor. Maybe he/she will end up being a mentor? Get to know your teachers; they love bright, motivated, and eager students. Or perhaps you get to know other computer students and you all end up creating a club or something. The possibilities are endless, really. First and foremost, study, apply yourself and get the grades! The rest will come.</p>

<p>Finally, don’t put community colleges down. Many, many people transfer to top colleges coming out of community colleges. If you get high grades, by all means apply to the colleges you would really like to go to, remember, admission officers are humans also! Just bear in mind that financial aid can be different for transfer students and check out each college’s policies beforehand.</p>

<p>Good luck, you’ll be fine</p>

4

<p>@Waverly- I won’t really be able to pay much of anything out of pocket. My EFC is 0. I definitely have more research to do to find out which schools meet all demonstrated need for transfers (I’m a Pennsylvania resident). I expect to take out some loans, but I lack a cosigner and so I predict I might only qualify for Stafford and whatever else.</p>

<p>@Collegecarla- thanks for the encouragement. :slight_smile: I definitely have a pretty quirky path (I went to college right out of HS, but my mom passed away a few weeks before classes started, I got depressed and didn’t attend, I’ve worked minimum wage jobs since). I don’t know if I’ll work that into any essays, but in any case I feel like a strong student now that I’m returning. I appreciate the advice.</p>

5

<p>@SRyJohn-Though I am a couple years older than you are paths are not that different. I am 29, I went to college for 1 year out of high school then left due to family obligations. Flash forward 10 year, I enrolled at a community college, completed 70+ credits in 3 semesters and was accepted to University of Michigan Ann Arbor. There is something to be said for “real world” experience. What a lot of college students lack out of high school is drive, direction, and ambition. It takes a lot more for someone who should have already graduated from college to return, and if you already know what you want to accomplish in college than you might even be a better candidate than those fresh out of high school. Good luck, just get good grades, and if you really want an EC, assuming you don’t have a kid, then volunteer a couple hours a month at Habitat for Humanity or some other good cause. The reality of it is, school and working to support yourself is usually enough, remember most high school students are still relying on their parents for support, they have the time for EC or they have time to sit on their butt.</p>

6

<p>@bleedmichigan - Thanks for the knowledge! :smiley: And yeah, I’m going to be working so it’s hard to say if I’ll have any time for that stuff. It’s good to know just a strong GPA will go a long way.</p>

<p>Can anyone direct me to a resource that speaks to which FA departments meet demonstrated need for transfers?</p>

7

<p>If you are going to be working and going to school, there’s your EC right there! It’s tough to work and go to school and it’s very impressive.</p>

<p>Go to each college’s website, look under transfer students and financial aid, look under the general financial aid, and check out the college’s common data set.</p>

<p>FYI, lots of schools have programs for community college transfers. NYU, Cornell, too bad you don’t live in California because the UCs are very cc transfer friendly.</p>

<p>NYU isn’t known for good aid but Steinhardt for example has an arrangement with specific ccs, and I’m sure other schools do as well. Also, go to college info sessions and afterwards, stay and talk with the presenters.</p>

8

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>I know my CC has a few matriculation agreements (i.e., maintain X.X GPA (usually 2.5) and gain auto-admission to a given school) but they’re mostly with schools that aren’t well ranked or that are notoriously stingy with FA (Drexel). So we’ll see! I definitely plan to bug everyone who knows anything at my school and anyone I can talk to at my prospective institutions. </p>

<p>Right now after a few hours of Googling I’m really liking Rice.</p>

9

<p>Our local CC has a transfer counselor who is famous for getting the best students into top colleges and universities with massive scholarship packages. Make friends with the transfer advisors at your CC, so that you can find our the best ways to prepare for the next step.</p>

10

<p>I was almost force to join a club seeing so many EC post, i.e. (President/Leader) just to at least mention 1 EC for myself.</p>

<p>Now I see its different for an “older” student. I am 24 years old with a 7, 4, and 3 years old daughter with a 35 Hr work per week schedule. I’m the sole provider, my gf doesn’t work and just take care of the kids. Im a FT student, nonetheless, 13 CR Hrs Spring '12.</p>

<p>I’m @ 41 Credits with 3.49 GPA… hopefully I’m Texas A&M bound.</p>

<p>This is the most encouraging post I’ve seen along with the great replies.</p>

11

<p>@Sobe - fantastic job! Let me just say that I think there’s a strong chance I wouldn’t be in this disadvantageous position if my parents (who had me at a young age) would have made half the effort you do. Thanks so much for being a great dad!</p>

<p>w.r.t. my situation:</p>

<p>I’ve compiled a list of schools that meet a few criteria for me- strong overall programs, strong compsci programs, need-blind admissions, and mostly-100%-need-met financial aid packages.</p>

<p>It’s:</p>

<p>rice
u of pennsylvania
u of virginia
u of chicago
u of michigan
georgetown
duke
dartmouth
cornell
columbia</p>

<p>I’ve sent off an email to the CS department chair for each inquiring about what advice they have regarding class selection and such. I know they’re all good schools but I’m trying to remain optimistic. :)</p>

<p>Thanks to everyone for the advice so far!</p>

12

<p>@SRyJohn </p>

<p>Best of luck to both of us. Thanks for your kind words; family is all I know, and is all I will ever know. Honestly, I was a little discourage that I started college kind of late (Jan. 2011). If you ever feel the same way, believe me, there’ll be 50-60% others older than us.</p>

<p>I was told 2 great statements. My boss (Pharmacist): What’s 4 years out of your life for something you’re going to do for the rest of your life? </p>

<p>The other told by an educated Christian friend (30-32 Yrs old) taking Martial Arts together for 5-6 years. “Get your education while it’s free.” as in High School… I tell kids that all the time now.</p>

13

<p>Well, I sent emails to the CS chairs at the following schools:</p>

<p>Penn State
UPenn
Temple
Rice
USC
UofChicago
UofMichigan (Ann Arbor)
Cornell
Dartmouth
UVA
Georgetown
Northwestern
Columbia</p>

<p>Pretty much all of them responded and they were all directly helpful (or were quick to forward me to someone more informed). It was an interesting experience. </p>

<p>It also has me seriously considering applying after my first (instead of second) year. A few different people at those institutions explained that while they traditionally make a more holistic evaluation of incoming sophomore transfers (including HS and SATs), that emphasis is less diffuse with non-traditional students. So I am hoping my atypicality (first generation college student, orphan) and a 4.0 this fall will make it possible for me to enter one of the better (i.e. not Temple) schools. :P</p>

14

<p>Lots of feel good posts here, but it’s important to weigh that with reality. There are several schools on your list that take few if any from community colleges. You’ve got Michigan which won’t give you aid as an OOS student. </p>

<p>I have a very hard time picturing a 25 year old at Dartmouth, Northwestern or Duke where the party culture is more appropriate for 18 year olds.</p>

<p>And SAT scores are very important at most of these schools, have you taken them?</p>

<p>You are just starting. Some of these schools may turn out to be great fits, but not likely after one year. One step at a time.</p>

15

<p>I actually have a similar story, 23 yr old and just finished at a community college. Applying to UMich, Reed, Stanford. Be grateful you are 24 and qualify as an independent student, that will really help with financial aid! Unfortunately, I’m learning this the hard way, and if I am accepted to these schools I will most likely be deferring to fall '13.</p>

<p>I went to a CC for a year after hs… Lets just say 4 W’s and 3 credits. Took 2 years off to work and help with family. I now have a 4.0 with 71 credits. Id suggest taking the most difficult classes and kicking ass for your transfer app. Good luck to you!</p>

16

<p>@Waverly - thanks for your post. I saw Michigan listed on a ‘meets 100% of need’ list. While I know that a lot of those schools only do so for incoming freshmen, the consensus seems to be they’re more generous with transfer students than the typical school, too. I actually had no idea that only in-state transfers qualified for FA at Michigan… that’s a useful piece of information.</p>

<p>I don’t have a huge problem being out of step with some elements of a school’s culture. I don’t expect any school to be a perfect fit- what I am seeking is the best semi-urban or urban school that will meet my demonstrated need (even if that means maxed out Stafford loans each year- the qualifier being that I have no cosigner for private loans.) The obvious downside is that the schools which trend in that direction (even if they don’t guarantee it for transfers) are incredibly selective.</p>

<p>I took the SAT 7 years ago I think? I got a 2140. I know that a lot of schools don’t ask for it with such a large time gap (especially if I try and transfer as a junior) but I do plan to retake it in the coming months. </p>

<p>The primary allure (for me) of attempting a transfer after freshman year is: more time to form professional contacts, more time to develop relationships with professors should I choose to move on to graduate school, more opportunities for internships, and the fact that I don’t exactly have a stable, reliable living situation. </p>

<p>I recognize the selectivity of the schools at which I’m looking (though I hope people remind me often so I don’t get too far ahead of myself). But there are a bunch of circumstances- professionally, personally, and most of all financially- that sort of force my hand.</p>

<p>So I plan to attend community college and take a rigorous course load. I aim to achieve a competitive GPA (hopefully a 4.0). My intention is to attempt transfer at the end of my freshman year (at which point it’s very possible I’ll be rejected by all of these schools). My next step would be to do a second year at community college and try to transfer again, as a junior. If I’m rejected then, too, then I wouldn’t really have a choice but to roll the dice with Temple, Penn State, etc. But with no real financial support system (or anyone creditworthy to cosign a loan), anything but a top, FA-friendly school might actually be out of my reach. </p>

<p>I mean, Penn State (probably the ‘best’ school that I think is a realistic aim if I get solid grades at CC), college of engineering, living on campus, in state… something like 30k per year? Consider $5,500 (Pell), $3,500 (PHEAA), $12,500 (maxed out Stafford)… I don’t know whether I’d qualify for every bit of that- though I expect I will with an EFC of 0- or if I’d qualify for anything extra. But given the stuff I’d know I can get, that still leaves a gap of about $9,000? I don’t know. Maybe there are programs- maybe there’s some institutional aid there (though I’ve heard Penn State is stingy with it), or maybe as an independent student I could borrow even more federally. I’m not sure. It’s uncertain, though.</p>

<p>All that said, I of course mean no disrespect to anyone who is interested in one of those schools. I’d be a proud graduate of Temple University or Penn State. If Penn State accepts me and I could afford to go I think I’d be a happy student. But at a school with more generous aid, it removes a lot of the anxiety (and questioning whether I’ll be left holding an AS- almost useless in my field- and no BSc).</p>

<p>Again though, thank you very much Waverly. There’s still a lot I don’t know about this process- I’d hate to stumble into this game plan blindly and then end up being one of those 90+% of students (especially from a community college) who are rejected by top ranked schools. I’m trying to be realistic, and I appreciate anything you could offer towards that end. :)</p>

17

<p>SRyJohn,</p>

<p>You have your head screwed on straight and know what you what you want, that’s the first step. Put everything into your schools and grades (assuming you are single with no familial obligations so you can fully concentrate on your school, aside from your job?). You know what you want; you are determined to go for it. You understand that it will very difficult at times (psychologically because you will sometimes find yourself slipping back and comparing yourself to younger students and also socially, since you won’t have much time); you must devote yourself to this. It’s a commitment. This being said, if you give it all you have, get top grades and maintain this drive, there is no reason why you can’t transfer to a top school.</p>

<p>Getting accepted to a highly selective school is tough for everyone, even hs seniors with super grades, etc. However, it does happen, it happens every year. If you try to transfer out after one year at cc, good for you. You have nothing to lose except the application fees and you might get waivers. If you get accepted to a school you want to go to, great. If not, you tried and will try again next year. If you never try, you then for sure you won’t get accepted.</p>

<p>All I can say is: life is so strange, opportunities present themselves, doors open and doors close. But if you are afraid of failing, then you will fail because you will never try. Life can be brutal, life is often unfair but we have to make the most of we have right now. If you have no other commitments then here is your chance. You are only 24. But not forever. Time goes by so fast.</p>

<p>Temple, Penn State, these are good schools. There are lots of good schools out there; you don’t have to go to the highest-ranking schools to get somewhere in life. Don’t get hung up on the rankings, they are so over played. Spend your time researching different schools. Find the school where you can thrive academically, spiritually (no, not religiously I mean where you can connect) and which offers you the financial means to get your degree. Become a part of the college community and you will find that the more you give of yourself, the more you get. </p>

<p>Finally, if your dream is to go to college X, then go there for graduate school. I suggest that you PM two people on this CC site: Thumper and momof2collegekids. They can give you a lot of financial advice. I haven’t a clue in this area.</p>

18

<p>@Waverly -I thought SATs weren’t required for transfer students, so why would that hold the OP back from something? Are the schools the OP listed requiring SATs?</p>

<p>I agree that this is a great thread! I’m 23 myself (independant b/c I’m married) and plan on starting school this Fall, but haven’t decided on CC or a traditional college that I’ve already been accepted to (family and financial issues will decide which). But I’ll keep my eye on this thread for some good info. Thanks to everyone for contributing.</p>

19

<p>@collegecarla - thanks very much for your input. </p>

<p>I have a few ‘dream’ schools (Upenn, UChicago, USC, Georgetown). That said, the primary allure for them right now (other than their obvious career opportunities and my affinity for urban environments) is that they meet a large amount of financial need.</p>

<p>So to be clear, I don’t feel like I <em>need</em> to attend an Ivy (or any top 25 school). Sure, the poor kid inside of me is a little vain and class envious… there’s a part of me that probably wants a prestigious degree to satisfy that itch. But I’m pretty sure I am looking past that, too. I am just looking to be challenged and enriched by the collegiate process- and right now I am also looking to mitigate the (ever-present) stress that maybe I won’t have the financial standing to get my degree after going through this entire process.</p>

20

<p>So I am beginning to assemble the schedule I’d like this fall. I meet with my advisor soon and while I’m sure he/she will have some ideas, I’d like a loose guideline. I want a strenuous course load (that shows I’m obviously working towards my major and that I’m not trying to do just GE credits at community)… but I also want my workload to be manageable (especially first semester) so I have a strong GPA for attempted transfers.</p>

<p>My idea is:</p>

<p>Fall</p>

<p>Programming 1
Physics 1 (lab)
Calculus 1
Technical Writing</p>

<p>Spring</p>

<p>Calculus 2
Linear Algebra
Programming 2
Physics 2 (lab)</p>

<p>That would give me 33 credit hours for year one. It seems mathy/CS-y enough that I’m showing obvious interest in the challenging side of my eventual degree requirements… but 4 classes is manageable enough, I think, that I can present a very strong GPA.</p>

<p>Of course, if everyone turns me down then I’ll have fewer challenging courses (my school doesn’t have the largest course catalog) remaining for my second year.</p>

<p>Thanks for any feedback, in advance!</p>