Hopeful transfer seeks advice

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
1

<p>Hello! </p>

<p>I am currently attending UNC at Asheville and this is my freshman year. Last year I got rejected from UNC and I really want to transfer as a sophomore next year. My HS stats aren't that impressive and I was hoping for some advice on how I can make my transfer application look more attractive. My HS stats look something like this:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.2 (unweighted)
SAT:
Writing: 660
Reading: 640
Math: 540
AP's: Biology, Psychology, Environmental Science, English Lit & Comp (unfortunately I moved to my high school late in my junior year and wasn't given the opportunity to sign up for any junior AP's)
Extra Curricular: Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Duke of Edinburgh Silver, Squash, Puppeteering (dont laugh at me), Kendo, volunteering for a company called "Dolphin Quest"</p>

<p>As for my freshman year in college, I am currently taking 17 hours and plan to take 18/19 next semester. I'm majoring in Philosophy and minoring in History. I plan to have a 3.8-4.0 freshman gpa and I am going to join at least 3 different clubs on campus. </p>

<p>Thanks for any advice! </p>

<p>P.S. High school was tricky for me because I moved from Bermuda late in my junior year where we had no honors courses, science and math were a year behind, and AP's were only offered during senior year.... Think they will understand? </p>

<p>D:</p>

2

<p>If you really get good grades as you “plan” to, then you should be fine.</p>

3

<p>It’s easier to say that you’ll get a 3.8-4.0 than it is to do it, so every day just make sure you tell yourself why you’re working so hard! It’s easy to get caught up in doing other stuff and slack off a bit :)</p>

<p>That said, make sure the clubs and activities you join aren’t just a hodgepodge of stuff that looks like you were just trying to find things that would let you fill in boxes on the application. Try to make them either related to your major or something you’ve shown a long term interest in, so when you’re applying you can tie it in with what you hope to accomplish by transferring. </p>

<p>If you can find something service related, I’d also suggest that. Tutoring or something, it’s good to help other people if you’re able, and obviously things like that look good on applications.</p>

<p>I also think the essay is extremely important, since pretty much everyone who has a real shot at transferring will be able to list activities, a good gpa, etc… the essay is really the one place they get to see who you are… </p>

<p>In my case for example, although I’m a science major with a pre-med focus many of my activities were politics related. I was involved in the Political Science club (as well as history), I run a political forum with ~1500 registered users, volunteered in the campaign this past fall, etc…</p>

<p>So, I picked an essay prompt that let me highlight my desire for new experiences and challenges, and how and why I thought UNC was the next step in that journey. I tied that in with my experiences on the campaign trail, moving up within the volunteer organization, and also my other extra curricular activities.</p>

<p>The only other thing I can suggest is this: As soon as they come out with the prompts, start writing your essay in your spare time so you have as much time as possible to perfect it. Don’t wait until the last minute.</p>

<p>Anyway, I hope that helps.</p>