Fall 2012 Transfer Hopeful: Advice, If You Please!

<p>Hey all!</p>

<p>I just wanted to put it out there how stunned I am that W&M takes the time to come on the forum and answer the questions of potential transfer students. Bravo, W&M! I am truly impressed with the amount of personal care that W&M provides for interested future students--and here's hoping that I'm one of them!</p>

<p>First some background: Like YoungHistorian (which is why this thread caught my eye); I am currently a freshman student at Fordham University, and also a Manresa Scholar pursuing Media and Communication studies. I know that it is a bit early to start discussing transfers, but even at this early stage I feel that I know enough to realize that Fordham is not the best environment for me. (I'm going with the maxim: "Sometimes, you just know.") Besides, W&M is my dream school, and there's another story for you!</p>

<p>I applied to W&M for Fall 2009 as my top choice. I did not get in, and I realized that I didn't want to go to any of the other schools that I applied to, either. I made the decision to take a year off and do a whole line-up of adventurous and helpful things. I moved to Brooklyn for half a year to work with children in the project buildings on the Lower East Side. After that, I moved to Kansas City, Missouri to join the staff of a contemplative "house of prayer". It was then that I applied to Fordham, got accepted, but then deferred because I felt that I wanted to pursue my spiritual education in a deeper and more prolonged way. After that, it was a few months in Europe with friends, then off to Taipei to learn Chinese! It's been quite the ride, but I'm ready to buckle down and go to school. </p>

<p>My high school record isn't the greatest. I did badly the first two years of HS and made it out with a 3.46 unweighted, 3.9 weighted GPA. Class rank was bad because school doesn't weight GPA in rankings.
SAT, 2130. AP: 5s in AP Bio, Environmental Science, Literature and Psychology//AP Scholar w Distinction
ECs: Volunteered every summer abroad with underprivileged children, Officer in student gov't, president of my choir, along with membership/small office in a host of other clubs; Sunday school teacher; Studio Art Portfolio</p>

<p>My main question lies with my schedule this year at Fordham. I am taking
Intro to Sociology
Philosophy of Human Nature
Faith and Critical Reasoning
English COMP II
Understanding Historical Change: Africa</p>

<p>I am more than aware that my courseload this semester is rather humanities-laden. Part of this is because Fordham has a very unique core curric requirement. The only "maths" that you are able to take are Finite Mathematics (which I read you don't transfer); and Computer Science. I am going to try to convince the dean to let me take Calc or Stats next semester, but I don't even know if it will be allowed or offered. Thus, this leads to a few questions. </p>

<p>Assuming I get stellar grades this semester (already workin' at it!)...
1.What are my chances for getting into W&M as a sophmore transfer?
2. Will my chances be affected by my courseload the first semester? Next sem I anticipate taking: Advanced Mandarin Chinese//Literature and Context//Chemistry in the Environment//(Possibly a math class//(undecided)
3. Should I consider the option of taking a math class (and maybe even a science) at a local community college to improve my chances and also make for future easy transfer? I am more than willing to do this, as W&M is my DREAM SCHOOL. I would be thrilled to go there, and I know that I would flourish in the community.
4. Is there anything else I can do to improve my chances?</p>

<p>I would be delighted by any and all advice that can be dispensed. Thanks for reading this whopper of a post!</p>

<p>We responded to your questions on the other post you added to.</p>