<p>I want to apply to Amherst and major in Asian Languages. Currently, I’m at a CC taking GE classes but I’d started that long before I heard of Amherst. I’m just wondering if since the school doesn’t have a core curriculum, should I stop with the GEs and focus on taking language and other Asian related courses? So far, I’ve only taken Japanese I and II (A’s in both I self taught before taking the classes) but in the Spring I plan on taking Japanese III, Chinese I and a course in East or South Asian history. Unfortunately, I haven’t been the best student. No ECs in HS, overall HS GPA was 2.7 (I just found this out) and I did okay in art school but I left when I realized that it wasn’t for me. I feel that, even if I get my grades up now, my academic past will come back to haunt me. Then, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go and even now, I wonder how HS kids just know what they want to be. I’m 24 and just now I’m finding what I really like. How can I possibly compete with such a strong freshman class as a transfer student with a mediocre past? I’m a low-income minority female who works FT and goes to school FT. I suppose my grades were never the best because I had no real interest in what I was learning nor a solid idea of where I was going. Even with better grades, do I even have a shot at Amherst? And if not there, then Middlebury?</p>
<p>I think Amherst over-enrolled last year by 40 or more so I would think the odds of transfer are very small. These schools have something like a 98% retention rate. I also doubt the grades work and fin aid and such are normally first year arranged. Also one of the hardest schools in the country to get in at anytime. You may be aiming a little high.</p>
<p>yeah, you're aiming quite high. you might have a bit of a better shot at middlebury because you seem like a language person and its a school with a great language program, but i'd still say you're aiming high.</p>
<p>If I were you I wouldn't listen to people on CC and would contact Amherst admissions and tell them about your situation and what they think would be best for you. Amherst is devoted to accepting Community College transfers and most transfers were from them last year. Aim high and work hard, hopefully things turn out well for you.</p>
<p>is it true that AMherst prefers community college transfers who have completed 2 years in the CC over those who have only completed one?</p>
<p>I would second JESPN's advice. Your situation seems rather unique. I'd guess that your high school record will be much less significant than it might be for the typical applicant. But only the admissions staff can give you the accurate advice you need.</p>
<p>"is it true that AMherst prefers community college transfers who have completed 2 years in the CC over those who have only completed one?"</p>
<p>Nope.</p>
<p>JESPN, eg1,</p>
<p>Thanks for that and I went ahead and did just that. That was the best advice I could've gotten at this point, although, I'm sure the others are right to a large degree. Even so, I would have applied to these schools just for the hell of it to see what happens. And I'm going to apply to Middlebury's summer language school if anything else. I'm also applying to Occidental. At least their acceptance rate is better.</p>
<p>You mention some flaws in your academic past, but keen interest in languages today.
I wonder if State University of New York (SUNY) at Binghamton would be good for you? I've heard they are the strong SUNY for foreign languages. Each SUNY has a specialty, and in Binghamton, it's languages.</p>
<p>Thanks, I'll look that up. I've never really considered NY a place for study, mostly because I've come to see it as a excessively large, crowded and mean place, thanks to the idiot box that I love so. But I've never been there so I can't really talk, can I?</p>
<p>SUNY stands for State University of New York (System) a number of Universities around the State (large state about 300 miles by 300 miles but not a square). SUNY Binghamton is 180 miles from New York City in a small city in the middle of the state (and the middle of nowhere). not crowded and not mean.</p>
<p>EmpressLeo, I wouldn't fret too much about your HS GPA. I have seen cases here where students did poorly in HS, well in CC, then went on to top schools. Of course, test scores come into play as well, and it's hard to gauge your chances with the information you've given us. But your highschool GPA will not take you out of the running as long as you show a commitment to your studies in CC. A student with a 1.0 GPA in HS, a 4.0 at CC for two years, and great test scores along with compelling essays about their academic turnaround could stand a good chance of admission. That being said, Amherst is very competitive and I doubt anyone on here will tell you you have a good chance of being admitted, but don't take it personally- it's a very difficult school to get into. </p>
<p>I would apply, there's not much to lose. And definitely check out Middlebury. It's a wonderful school, if I do say so myself.</p>
<p>Hey there Leo. I am in a similar situation. I am at a California Community College and want to transfer to Amherst to study physics. I was a TERRIBLE student in high school. 2.1 GPA I believe. Have you taken the SAT's yet? I think that doing well on those and accumulating A's at a CC can convince a school like Amherst that you might be an interesting project for them. You know, like a formally lost soul who just needs the right mix of classical education and corduroy to blossom? For what it's worth I am attempting to transfer in the Fall of '08. I've got a 4.0 and got a 2320 on the SAT I. I hope we both get in.</p>
<p>Yes, Yes! Good luck to you too. I hate general education and that's always a big downfall for me. The less interested I am in something, the more I don't get it, which doesn't look good to schools. Still, I'm trying. In spring, I'm taking classes that will be much more interesting to me. My current CC doesn't have very many classes dealing with foreign culture and languages so, I'm moving on.</p>
<p>And no, I haven't taken any tests. I think I'm scared to. I have a feeling I'll only do well on the English portion but I know I NEED to give it a shot to at least gage myself.</p>
<p>It's incredible what an adult mind and an SAT study guide can accomplish. I took the SAT I cold in 1995, and scored a 1320/1600. I retook them this fall after reading that stupid book and I got a 2320. I would have done better, but the essay topic was a Reader's Digest philosophical puzzler that defied intelligent response, so my essay dragged me down. It's weird, because I'm a heck of a lot stronger in my writing than in math. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised if you study hard for it.</p>
<p>Don't forget Wesleyan if you're interested in The Little Three (Wms, Amherst, and Wes). Wes still accepts more than 20% of its transfers double the %age of the other two.</p>