Heading back to school after five years...

Transfer Students
1

<p>All,</p>

<p>I'm looking for some clarification and advice. I've asked around, and I keep getting drastically different opinions. I have read over these forums, and there seems to be quite a bit of knowledge floating around here.</p>

<p>My situation is like this:</p>

<p>I was a rebellious teen, and didn't take High School seriously. [Hardly] Graduated High School, and went to Community College for a month or so before dropping out. I wasn't ready for school. SO, I went to work in the Finance industry, where I have been for the past three and a half years. I know feel like I'm ready to go to college. </p>

<p>I want to attend a marquee-type/Big name college, to pursue a degree in Economics. My grades in High School were poor, as were my standardized test scores. However, that was a product of my disinterest. Now that I'm coming back on my own terms, I'm willing to work as hard as possible for a chance at admission to a top tier rated school. </p>

<p>I have been told to attend a community college for a year, take honors classes, then apply as a transfer student. I know very little about the college admission process, but it would seem to me that applying from a community college I wouldn't have as good a chance at admission as someone applying from a more prestigious University.</p>

<p>Do I have a shot? Any advice? What are my options?</p>

<p>Any information would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Cheers,</p>

<p>William</p>

2

<p>You should study and then take the SAT/ACT and SAT II tests. If you can get really good scores on these, you can apply to the higher level schools and ask them to discount your grades at your high school since they were a long time ago and don't represent your level of interest in education, nor your work/study habits. </p>

<p>Provide references from your work associates, and be sure to show other community service, etc. recently in your background--and try to get references from those areas also--this is to convince them that you are a changed person.</p>

<p>It's still going to be a bit of a long-shot at some of the top schools--those ranked 1 to 30, but I'm guessing schools in the 30 to 70 range on US news and World Report's ranking are likely to give you a chance if the test scores are good. </p>

<p>Best of success to you.</p>

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<p>I think the community college route is much more likely to work.</p>

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<p>Thank you all for the advice.</p>

<p>Does it make a difference if I transfer out of CC to my 4 year institution in the Spring or Fall (for those that accept Spring transfers)?</p>

<p>Are my odds greater trying to transfer in the Fall?</p>

<p>Also, any suggestion on courses, etc I should take a the CC?</p>

<p>I have spoken with a counselor, that seems to be good, but would like more advice. It's been a while since I've even thought about school. I'm a bit rusty to say the least.</p>

<p>I realize trying to transfer into a top 25 school if very very competitive, and I'll take all the advice I can get.</p>

<p>Thanks all,</p>

<p>Will</p>

5

<p>Well, let's get a little more information out on the table. </p>

<p>Where do you live? Is the state school system in your area a fair/good/excellent one? Do you need financial aid? Are you looking for anything specific in the ideal school (besides Econ major and "marquee" name?). Eg, type of location, size of school, university vs. LAC, atmosphere?</p>

<p>I think you have a "story" that is a good one in terms of admissions. But I think we need a little more info to offer any suggestions.</p>

<p>I also think that, in any event, you need to come up with not only marquee schools, but also lesser known yet quality schools that will fill your needs. NO ONE should focus on reach schools only. Apply to schools in a range of selectivity so that you will have good choices.</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

6

<p>Andale-</p>

<p>I will be moving back to Illinois, and starting at the College of Dupage. From my research, it seems that it is a really good school, as far as community schools go. I will need Financial Aid, yes. To be honest, I haven't thought of the specific criteria I look for in a school. I know that I want a challenging program, but I would imagine I could find that most places. Location is pretty important, I would like to stay near a large city. Chicago, San Francisco, New York City, etc. I wouldn't like living in a "college town." I'm not sure of the difference between Univ vs. LAC atmosphere. I'm really over the partying type aspect, but would like social events that could be educational and challenging. </p>

<p>I don't know what constitutes a really good or bad story. In terms of my profession, I have a good story. I'm the youngest advisor in my office by about 11 years, and have been the youngest advisor in the training programs by about 10 years. The mean age of my class of 88 people was around 36 (I'm currently 23.) Despite all this, I am ranked #7//88 in my class, without any real personal connections or being "given" clients from a senior broker. I built my clientele walking door to door.... Probably sounds funny. I started in the industry at the age of 20, which is very, very young. I have worked full-time since age 16, and have supported myself since my father passed at age 17. At age 18, I moved across the country, alone, to a new city and started over. I have done exceptionally well with past jobs, and even made six figures working for a Cellular company at age 19. My career is going very well, but I feel like it's not very rewarding intellectually, and I want to start a new challenge. Other things I want to do will require a college education.</p>

<p>As far as secondary schools, I have come up with several. It was the advice of my counsellor (at College of Dupage) to choose 5-6 "reach" schools, 5-6 I have a good shot at, and 2-3 "sure things." I have started to do this, but any suggestions would be appreciated.</p>

<p>In a nutshell, that's my situation. I'm surprised how difficult it is to sort through all this education related information. I should have paid more attention to this in High School, haha.</p>

<p>Thanks again.</p>

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<p>Buy some college admissions books. I took a break between HS and college. went to community college and now I'm at Brown. It's not impossible. I did have decent grades in HS though. Standardized test scores - while required - I don't think are weighed too heavy for transfers since youve been in college and thats what those are supposed to predict anyway.</p>

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<p>Wow, congrats. Thanks for the info.</p>

<p>I will probably retake the ACT (only got a 27 comp score the 1st time), as well as take the SATs.</p>

<p>However, I have now learned I may be what is considered a "Returning Adult" student. Anyone have experience with this? I've been told my test scores may not be considered.</p>

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<p>you got a 27 on the ACT? That is actually very good, the community college route would be the cheapest route for you because you can get 2 years in at school and then apply to any school you want, you can also go to the nearest state school like you said an then you can transfer from there but it will cost more, either way your possibilities are endless.</p>

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<p>Definately. Most universities actually give priotiy to community college students specially ones like the UC's and other state schools.</p>

<p>Now, If you're dedicated to one school in particular I'd advise you to check out their articulation agreement with whatever coomunity college you are attending to see what classes transfer for credit as well as additional requirements for your particular major Econ. </p>

<p>Honors Program, make certain that the school that is most important to you actually takes this into account. I asked various representatives from my #1 and they told me that Honors Program at community college does not provide any advantage over other students so I decided not to do it. Good luck with the apps. process!</p>

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<p>Thank you both. </p>

<p>27 is good, I just feel I could have done better. I knew when I took the test I didn't do my best, but I didn't retake it. At that point in life, I just wanted to "get by" in school. I made plenty of mistakes during that time of my life, ha.</p>

<p>I have e-mail my contact at Northwestern to ask him about the Honors program. That was a good thing to ask before assuming it is the right thing to do. </p>

<p>As of now, my top "reach" school is Northwestern Univ. I've had extenisve dialogue with their admissions dept, and they suggest the Community College route. I'll be sure to verify with them what credits will and will not transfer. I'm going to be flying back to IL soon to take additional placement testing. It's amazing how much you forget in 5 years! I'm "refreshing" on College Algebra as we speak.</p>

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<p>Any advice on what I should do, other than get good grades, to increase my odds for admission? Extracurricular, activities, community work, etc?</p>

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<p>If you want to go to northwestern you are going to have to do two years of community college before you transfer there, NW is a very selective school and you will have to have at least a 3.5+. If you want to do it, its very possible but you are going to have to go to a CC first.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the advice, glad to know I have at least a chance. I would rather be denied as a result of my own actions, than to think that I don't even have a shot. For some reason I have this mental issue that is telling me that, even if I get a 4.0 at my CC I still don't have much of a chance.</p>

<p>Does anyone have any advice on other, safer, schools to apply to that have a relatively solid economics program? I read/search the forums, and it seems as though most people say all the rankings are worthless. If all the rankings are worthless, how am I to evaluate the strength of a school's program?</p>

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<p>Give us some information on where you would like to live/where you live how far you want to travel and whatnot, I'd be more than glad to help you pick out a school that will be a nice fit for you.</p>

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<p>Columbia has a specific program for people in your situation. It is for adults who "wish to pursue an ivy league education full or part time". They also have an entrance exam that can be used instead of standardized test scores. If you want to go the prestige route this would be a great choice. <a href="http://www.gs.columbia.edu/home.asp%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.gs.columbia.edu/home.asp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>Brown has the RUE program if you qualify.</p>

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<p>Where I'd like to live: I would really prefer a big city, or close to one. That's why I've been really looking at NU or U of Chi. I'm from the suburbs of Chicago, and know that I like that city. Other cities would be, San Fran, New York City, Boston, possibly even Los Angeles or San Diego (although I'm not crazy about the last two.) London? Tokyo? Beijing? Are those places realistic in the slightest... That should give you an idea.</p>

<p>I noticed the Columbia program, do you think that would suit someone that wants to go back to school Full time? It seemed to me like something for those that still want to work. </p>

<p>What exactly is the Brown RUE program?</p>

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<p>In terms of things you should do to enhance your chances, I think the main one at this point is to get to know your DuPage profs (two of them) well enough to get outstanding recommendations. And do as well as you can GPA-wise, of course.</p>

<p>Re EC's, community service... this is really a guess on my part, but I don't think you need to try and build those up. The purpose of those is often to show the school that there is another side of the student besides academic grind. You have such an intriguing story - what you have done in your work arena and how you have done it - esp. given that your interest is Econ major, that I think you've already got that "interesting other side." Now, I don't mean to crawl into a hole - but just do any outside activities that you are drawn to, if any. If you still need to work while you are at DuPage - that, in itself, is an EC.</p>

<p>My concern, and I don't have the expertise here (but some others either here on the Transfer Forum or elsewhere on cc might), is the financial side of things. You need to find out what your possibilities are for financial aid at your reach schools (well, for all of your schools). What will your EFC be? Do the schools meet 100% of EFC for transfer students? </p>

<p>I know that UIUC is a stellar school, so I am thinking it might be a financial safety for you. But I know it's not in Chicago and don't know how you'd like that location.</p>

<p>Some schools with respected Econ programs that are in cities, but that aren't perhaps so reach-y: Syracuse, Pitt. Safer schools in cities might include: Fordham, USF. </p>

<p>These are just to get you thinking. Someone said not to pay too much attention to rankings; and people do get fixated on them. But using USN&WR as a jumping off point, to id schools in a range of selectivity, with the Econ major and in cities, is a handy way to start to build a list.</p>

<p>It seems to me that your best plan is quite likely to be 2 years at DuPage, great GPA, great recs>>transfer to the 4-year school for junior year. Could help with the finances. While you are at DuPage, you will have more time to figure out your financial aid/financing options and, if they can work, no reason not to try for a transfer for Fall 2008 after only one year.</p>

<p>Use your essays and interviews, if your schools have them, to tell your story of how you have succeeded in your work and how you have grown. It is a great story.</p>

<p>Great good luck to you. I think many schools will be thrilled to have you, once you show at DuPage that you are ready to really do well at the college level.</p>

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<p>The program is for either full or part time; you can do either.</p>