Getting back into school. Trying to figure out my situation. Any help is much appreciated.

Applying to College
1

Hey, I’m just recently getting back into school and trying to figure everything out. I’ve chosen to pursue a degree in Finance, and I would like to get into a competitive school to further my chances of success. I thought I had all the tools available to get my GPA back on track, but after talking to my counselor, my ignorance has been exposed. I was under the impression that I would be able to retake classes that I had passing grades in "B’'s "C"s and the new/improved grade would be recognized, but it just doesn’t work like that. Also, Academic Renewal, a process in CA that removes sub-par grades, apparently is only really recognized within CA and not really recognized outside of it. So, I’ll just go over myself in the past and current situation and hope that someone might have any relevant advice. I’m really putting in a lot of effort and I keep getting negative feedback on my situation the more I research, and it’s becoming a little discouraging. So I’m just hoping for more information to better define my situation and come up with a new game plan going forward.

In the past: I went to CC right after highschool because it was either that or get a job, and I took, what I viewed to be, the easier route. I eventually stopped going after 2 semesters because I wasn’t really motivated and just started working. I got back into school a year later after solidifying what I wanted to do and was really motivated, doing well in my classes. However, after a semester, I found out my girlfriend was pregnant. I tried sticking with it, but had to keep dropping out randomly through the semester because I just didn’t have my financial situation stabilized and was just learning how to incorporate being a father into my life.

Currently: Just got back into school, I’m taking 19 units of course-specific prereqs while working full time and being a father. My GPA, after Academic Renewal, is at 3.5. I used a GPA calculator to calculate that my GPA would be at a 3.77 if I continued to get A’s for the next 3 semesters/60 units, I plan to take a class during Summer/Winter every term. It will be difficult, I’m mainly worried about my math courses up until Calc II, but I’m keeping on top of everything. I just passed my first round of exams and have A’s in all my classes. I’ve never put this much into school and feel like I have what it takes to continue to get good grades. I had planned to retake classes and get my GPA up to a 4.0, but that’s not possible. I had delusional hopes of transferring into a top undergrad business program (Wharton, Stern, Stanford), but my path is a bit more narrow now. I’m specifically looking at UCLA Bus/Econ Program and UC Berkeley Econ.

So, like I said, I would really appreciate any relevant advice/criticism that you could just add on top of the questions that I have.

My questions:

  1. Does anyone know how much admissions takes into account upward grade trends?
  2. Does me having to work full time and not develop any extra EC's (joining a finance club, starting a business, volunteering) worsen my position? I can maybe scale back when I get financial aid next semester, but my situation doesn't allow for it right now.
  3. Are there any other competitive programs that I might have a realistic shot of getting into?
  4. Is there something I haven't touched upon that I should take into consideration/start focusing on?
  5. Does anyone have any experience with Academic Renewal outside of CA? If so, could you tell me a bit about your experience?
  6. How do you view my situation as it stands right now? Is there a chance, or should I focus on more realistic pursuits?

So, that’s basically it. Sorry for the wall of text, but I wanted to try and give as much information as possible in the pursuit of being accurate.Thank you for taking the time to read all of this.

2

I might not be the best person to help with this but I’ll tell you what I know. In freshman admissions, they definitely consider working to be an acceptable activity and I think they would for transfers too (especially full-time!!). Also, I believe the UC application allows for you to apply to all of them without much extra work so I’d apply to more than just two.
Finally, it is really great that you are taking so many credits while working full-time and parenting! That should make you extremely proud!!
Sorry I don’t have too much insight but good luck!

3

I’m going to be blunt… you are trying to poke vault from a CC to top echelon schools. Even “stepping back” from tippy top schools like Wharton to very slightly less selective schools like Cal isn’t much of a change. That is highly unlikely to happen, especially with the relatively weak start on your transcript. I suspect your counselor has been trying to tell you this, but you are stuck on prestige and rankings.

I think you can possibly transfer to a decent UC (California residents, please chime in here). But odds are not I your favor for those two.

4

The way you are thinking about things isn’t going to help you. Figure out what type of career you want. Then do the things necessary to get there. There is no career out there that requires a degree from a particular school so take that off your radar. Just get the degree. You are a father now and it is more important that you have a clear path to a degree then that you find a way to a name school.If you are ambitious and hard working you’ll be able to get to where you want to be.

5

Finish up within CA. They have in-state aid which can help you afford to finish. There are no financial guarantees once you go out of state.

6

How old are you?

are you living with your child and providing 50% support?

With 19 credits, are you working much?

What was your FAFSA EFC?

How many credits/units do you currently have?

What city/county do you live in now?


[QUOTE=""]
I had delusional hopes of transferring into a top undergrad business program (Wharton, Stern, Stanford), but my path is a bit more narrow now. I'm specifically looking at UCLA Bus/Econ Program and UC Berkeley Econ.

[/QUOTE]

If you’re a custodial parent, then moving your family can be a huge hassle and expense. You wouldn’t get aid that supports your family.

What schools are near where you live?

You need to focus on instate UCs and using TAG from your CC. You need the benefit of UC aid.

Transfers often get lousy aid, particularly ones with troubled stats.

7

Pardon me for the late reply.

@scubaaf I really appreciated the feedback man. Something positive when I’ve been getting a lot of negative really helps. I see that you’re also in the process of figuring everything out, and just wanted to say good luck man! Let me know how it ends up : )

@intparent CC’s in California have priority over every other transfer to UC, from what I’ve read. I’ll still pursue my course plan as it is right now and just scatter shot apply and see where I end up. I’m fully aware as to how challenging it may be, but I don’t want the possibility of not getting in defeat me this early in and have to look back and think I could have still given it a chance. I do appreciate the realistic viewpoint however. Thank you.

@lostaccount Sorry, forgot to mention that I would be going into finance with a hope of getting into investment banking out of college. It’s a tough road, but one that does present me with a lot of opportunities down the road. It is highly competitive and has “target” schools which can definitely help to secure a job. I’m also aware that it will not guarantee me a job, but I would like to have every advantage possible.

@mom2collegekids sorry, I don’t know how to format a quote properly.

How old are you? I’m currently 24.

are you living with your child and providing 50% support? My son’s mother and I had just recently split up, so as of right now, I’m living on my own with a roommate and providing a bit of 50% support for him as well as taking care of myself financially.

With 19 credits, are you working much? I was working more, but as the semester progresses I’ve been cutting back a bit. School is priority #1, besides my son, for now. As of now, I’m working 35/40 hours a week.

What was your FAFSA EFC? I decided to get back into school after the cutoff date for the current semester, so have yet to really set up my FAFSA. I know I should, but I’ve just been getting all of my other ducks in a row. Moving out/starting a new job/going to school, there’s been plenty to do. I have an appointment in 2 weeks to talk to an adviser to go over my Financial Aid options.

How many credits/units do you currently have?

What city/county do you live in now? What’s the etiquette about posting personal information on here? Don’t want to break any rules. However, I am in Southern California.

My son is 2, as of now, by the time I’m done he’ll be close to 4. I obviously have hesitation about being so far away from him (if I were hypothetically to get into an east coast Ivy), and would have to judge the situation when the time comes, but I want to try my hardest and have the ability to choose what I view to be the best option.

Thank you for all of your responses.

8

There are many very good CCs in Orange County…Fullerton College, Saddleback, Golden West, Orange Coast, Santiago College, and more.

You’re free to mention the city you live in and even the school you attend. If that’s too much info, then you can include the CSUs and UCs that you live near…sounds like you’re near UCI, UCR, UCLA, CSULB, CSUFullerton…do you live within commuting distance to any of these? do your parents?

However, it sounds like you can move a short-distance away and still have contact with your child…so maybe Berkeley or Stanford can still be an option. (Before you consider moving OOS, be aware that once you do, you will likely have no say if your ex moves your child wherever she wants. You may lose your rights to to insist that your child not be moved far away from you if you have used that option yourself. A family attorney can tell you more about that. )

You’re independent for FAFSA purposes due to your age. However, since you’re working 35+ hours a week, your income is probably to high for much/any aid besides loans. Sounds like you’re paying for college out of pocket now, which is fine.

You need to fill out FAFSA a few days BEFORE you meet with the FA officer…w/o an EFC, they can’t tell you anything. You need to go online and get a PIN first. filing FAFSA shouldn’t take long at all if you already filed taxes earlier this year…your info can easily be pulled up automatically from what you filed.

Since your child no longer is in your household, I don’t think you can list him…so it sounds like you’ll be a household of one. @kelsmom can provide more info for situations like this.

You need to set up an appt with the transfer counselor to see how you can TAG into a UC.


[QUOTE=""]
going into finance with a hope of getting into investment banking out of college.

[/QUOTE]

Fine…Do you mean working on Wall Street or in California?