I just cannot wait until spring transfer admissions to come along. I want to know who else will be applying for the spring 2017 semester and what their stats look like. I am coming from a community college and I feel extremely nervous that I will not make it in, but I do feel like the school is definitely a perfect fit for me. Before community college, I attended another university and I did not enjoy it there at all because of my lack of motivation and lack of interest for the major my parents chose for me. However, after a terrible year (2.0gpa OMG like what was wrong with me?!?) and going through some traumatic events with my parents, I feel like I have matured and wanted to live a purposeful and meaningful life. I decided to take matters into my own hand and decided to take courses at community college for a major I was interested in. So currently at community college I am taking leadership roles and showing initiative by taking jobs that relate to my interest as well as maintaining a 3.8 gpa. I am extremely obsessed with this school and check out their website every day. Haha (I know, I am addicted). I just want to ask how my previous university where I had a 2.0 gpa will affect my chances? Also, I am currently working a full time 40 hour job each week as well 20 hours each weekend and wonder whether the college will take into consideration my job. The reason why I am working is because I am not from a wealthy background and the jobs correlate with what I want in life.
P.S. I will be applying as an Economics major with a minor in psychology if that helps
My stats are as following for the spring semester:
High school GPA: 4.0
University of Sciences: 2.0
Community College of Phila. GPA: 3.8
EC:
Financial Advisor -Full time job -40hrs
Alpha Beta Gamma- (President)
Investment club- (Founder and President)
Entrepreneur Club
Uniqlo - Part time job - 20hrs
Volunteer for special olympics
Volunteer for kids in need for city of Camden
Volunteer for street soccer
@heyguysimhai I transferred to Amherst from a community college last year, so my experience might be more insightful than others. You should know the transfer rate is lower than their regular admittance rate. Fall is about 3% and spring is 10%. Luckily from the group of about 20-25 transfers, a large chuck come from cc. (I assume one reason is elite schools don’t really like it when students transfer to and from other elite schools).
Are you a nontraditional student? A gap between your time at both colleges would make things better. Otherwise, it doesn’t look very good. Those grades at the first college are too damaging if I’m being honest. Then again, I don’t know the trauma you experienced during that time. I hope it is explained well in your essay.
let me know if you are interested in knowing my stats or have questions. I’m happy to share.
^I think this is right. If significant time has passed since the 2.0 (several years), you might got more consideration. But if it was recent, it will seriously damage your chances. However, I also don’t think of Amherst as a college really seeking non-traditional (eg, older) students. So your odds are very slim. You should line up other transfer options that you would be happy to attend as well.
I took one year off from school after having such a poor Gpa. I actually felt like having such a bad gpa actually made me into a stronger person. I definitely matured and had a wake up call from life. Now I have motivation and desire to be a somebody unlike how I was in my first university where I just got by because I had to. I really want to let admissions know. How will I be able to convey how badly I want to get in? And also should I include this portion of the essay in the common application or the Amherst application. Unfortunately the other schools That will be on my list will also be highly selective colleges.
Before you write that “Why Amherst” essay, know that there are no minors at the school, only majors (and double majors), and majors you design yourself.
@heyguysimhai, I was a fall transfer to Amherst. I think the 2.0 gpa year in your not-so-distant past would usually be a huge red flag, but, in your case, you should have a chance. Working 40 hours per week, plus coming from low-income (first generation college?), and having good extra curricula is a solid fit for an Amherst Transfer. Your profile is similar to mine: 2.4 gpa in one year of college, took a few years off, full-time work while getting a 4.0 at new college; transfer in as a sophomore.
My suggestions: be in contact with the transfer dean at Amherst and just start a dialogue, ask questions, they’ll remember you; focus on the contrast between you as the 2.0 student, and the new you with the year off of self-reflection and your new ‘rising star’ identity.