<p>This is a little early to post as I'm applying for Fall 2011, but this stuff is stressing me out already. I will be applying as a transfer student to several art schools (still figuring out which ones). Originally I was going to Dickinson College, but my mom was sick during first semester, and my grades suffered. First semester I ended up with a 1.25 GPA. Second semester I tried very hard to do better, but my mom died in early January and I couldn't do work/ focus, so I took a medical leave. This past fall I tried again to go back to school but ended up withdrawing once again (permanently). I wasn't doing well again and I had realized that a LAC really wasn't the place for me. So now I'm at my local CC. The semester isn't over yet but I'm expecting a 4.0. (I had very good grades in high school as well)</p>
<p>Anyway, my question is how bad my grades, withdrawals will look to the art schools I'm applying to? Where should I explain the situation?</p>
<p>That kind of excuse that intervened you from doing the work should be acceptable. I don’t see a reason why the admission commitees should regard you as a disadvantage transfer applicant. Those kind of cases are very rare and they know it.</p>
<p>Thank you. I stress about these things way too much. Do you know how I should tell them about the whole situation. I don’t want to use my essays to do this honestly. Usually they are “why you want to come here, what you want to do with art” type of essays so this doesn’t really fit.</p>
<p>Put that down somewhere in your application, if possible. </p>
<p>I can’t really be sure too much about this as I’ve never been in a transfer process before. Perhaps some other great people like Ironicallyunsure, Tsakashvilli, MojaveMocha, Fmhcbc, or Nyc2013 can come help you with this.</p>
<p>there will be a box to explain your gap in academic stuff, I think it’ll be appropriate to explain why you did poorly and also you can mention in your personal statement or there was a box extra for that at the end. I forgot but I did get the chance to explain about my poor grades somewhere in the applications ! HTH and im very sorry for your lost. </p>
<p>Also, they want to see an upward grade trend if you continue to pull off those 4.0… you’ll have a good shot !</p>
<p>Thanks guys. Yeah a few of the applications have boxes like that, but a lot of them don’t. I’m wondering if I should just tell my admissions counselor or write them a separate letter and hope they don’t mind…</p>
<p>Scroll to where it says “Complete Transfer Application Packet”</p>
<p>Click application only PDF.</p>
<p>All the way down, there will be lines where you can elaborate your ECs and another one where you can explain special circumstances and quality.</p>
<p>You will go to the one with the explanation of special circumstances and put your medical reasons that affected your GPA on there.</p>
<p>Transfer applications vary and there are some that are owned by each schools. Depending on whether there will be enough for you to address the concern, that source is just an example that I’m pointing out.</p>
<p>To answer your other question, I hope you do not call up the admissions office and tell them like that directly. They always prefer your latter idea than the former.</p>
<p>Thanks. I guess I’ll send a letter then. Most art schools, including the ones I’m applying to, unfortunately don’t use the common app. Only a couple of them have boxes like the common app does for extra info.</p>
<p>I can’t really comment on the specifics of art school applications, but here’s some general advice about some of your concerns:</p>
<p>
I’d imagine admissions counselors at most schools wouldn’t look down upon those grades given your circumstances. </p>
<p>Then again, 2 things come into play:
Did you explain your circumstances well to the adcoms?
Do the adcoms have hearts? (<– Be warned, this one is tricky to answer ;).)</p>
<p>
If using the common app, you can possibly incorporate it into the main personal transfer essay. Your circumstances can easily be tied into the “Why transfer?” prompt where you can first explain your and your mother’s health issues, then why you’re at a CC now (i.e. why you felt that you had to leave the LAC you were attending), and finally why you would like to leave said CC. If you choose not to explain your circumstances in the main essay, make that essay specifically about the qualities lacking at your CC hindering you from your ambitions, and then write a separate essay specifically about your circumstances. Attach that second essay to the end of the application in the “Additional Information” section of the common app.</p>
<p>
Easy fix. Just do the second thing that I mentioned above. Make your main essay about why you want to go there, and what you want to do with art, and then write a second essay/letter about your circumstances. See if you can attach the letter to your application. If not, send it in separate for the admissions counselors to read. It shouldn’t be too big an issue.</p>
<p>A final word of advice: be cautious in how you present that letter about your mother’s death and your subsequent health issues. It’s very hard to write about death, so make sure to appropriately structure your writing to convey your point, while not being overly abstract in your description of your circumstances. Be honest and human in your writing, and adcoms will surely understand :). I wish you luck.</p>