I NEED to transfer now...but there's seemingly less than a handful of good fits? :'(

Transfer Students
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<p>And more importantly, how soon would I be able to transfer..what are my options here? </p>

<p>To give you a brief background...I currently finished my first year at Trinity College. When I The schools I applied and got into included Marist, Syracuse, Boston U, Emerson, SUNY Fredonia/Plattsburgh, and more. I got in almost everywhere, but ultimately chose Trinity based on their outstanding financial package and name brand. I didn't think I would get in, but I did. It was a 55 grand a year school and all I had was 3 grand in loans. It was the best school I got into and gave me lots of money, why not? I screwed up and didn't choose based on fit.</p>

<p>Well flash forward to the end of the first year and there is no way that school could pay me to spend the next three years there. I won't get into all the specifics but I am miserable there and I am set on transferring. For three huge reasons</p>

<ol>
<li><p>The city. I thought it wouldn't matter where I went to school. I was dead wrong. I need to be back in NYC, or at the very least, a place like Boston. Something with more options than where I am now. </p></li>
<li><p>What I now want to study is not there. I really want to pursue Film Production and have my mind set on it. Trinity has a "film studies" program that is not very good. I kind of wanted to do Film when I applied ED midway through my senior year, but a year and a half later and my interests have changed dramatically. </p></li>
<li><p>Socially it's not the right fit. At all. I won't get into specifics but I've had to deal with a lot of BS no kid should have to deal with. A lot of close-minded and ignorant people here have made it miserable for me, and the culture at the school is so one-sided, so unrealistic, and is a fantasy bubble that does not exist what-so-ever in the real world. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>So I'm looking for other schools, ideally one close to home (NYC). I realized NYC is the place where I want and need to be. Whether it's for music, law, or film. However when you factor in my financial situation, what I want to study, and my grades (we'll get there in a second), my options are limited. Severely limited. </p>

<p>My dream school at the moment is SUNY Purchase. When it comes to my film portfolio, ACT scores, resume/experience, etc etc, I am beyond the standards for Purchase. However bring my college grades into play and they hurt me, significantly. And because of that I can kiss goodbye any other schools such as NYU, Bard, etc etc. Because of my financial situations schools like Emerson in Boston are probably out of reach and question. I'm kind of putting all my eggs into what is the basket of SUNY Purchase...but what happens if I don't get in? </p>

<p>Looking at Purchase I think I have a good shot, especially for film (as competitive as it is), and writing. Why? My extras/resume/internships/ what I have done in the past/currently doing when it comes to film/writing/, ACT scores, etc. I also have a strong background in several of the arts, which Purchase seems to like. I'll get into those in a minute. Though the rolling admissions deadline is not for another week, the deadlines for Purchase's film program has long past, and as a transfer student the film program is not open to transfers for the Spring semester. I'm looking at the very least, if I get in, a year of waiting.</p>

<p>There is one huge problem standing in the way of transferring though. And that is my GPA from the end of my first year at Trinity. It is absolutely abysmal. Like, 2.1 abysmal. It doesn't help that I failed a math class (if you look at my ACT/SAT and high school grades...math has always been a problem. Im an English person >_<). All I want is that one more fresh start, to be in a place where I belong, to do it right. That 2.1 is not me, at all. </p>

<p>So I ask you guys, will Purchase take a chance on me? Does everything else I can bring outweight what happened at Trinity? What about if I bust my ass and get a 3.5/4.0 this semester? And more importantly....what on earth are my backup options?</p>

<p>Here are some credentials below, which includes a legit film portfolio as well..</p>

<p>Grades:</p>

<p>Graduated from a small but respected private high school with about an 88 average (need to get le' ole transcript out). Lots of honors classes and a couple of AP classes.
I had a 26 ACT score, which is in the top 25% for SUNY Purchase students. If not for a poor math score, it would have been even better. </p>

<hr>

<p>My film resume! This is where it gets good. </p>

<p>I started my own media business filming music videos and promotional trailers for local bands and promotional companies. I have vast experience in editing and cinematography and have several music videos/trailers and more I have done for clients. Furthermore I have scripts I have worked on, etc. As far as my own work, I specialize in music, especially for NYC artists, but have more projects in the works.</p>

<p>I also have an internship editing for a California based fashion and culture blog. </p>

<h2>I also film football for Trinity's team.</h2>

<p>Internships/jobs/volunteer:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I had a really phenomenal internship for Bloomberg L.P. in New York City. I interned in Information Technology. </p></li>
<li><p>I have held a couple of other jobs including teaching elementary school children over the summer, and filming football for Trinity's team.</p></li>
</ol>

<h2>3. I spent 4 years volunteering as a teaching assistant at my local church and did lots of work there. </h2>

<p>Extracurricular/leadership positions/awards</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I have done mock trial for the past 5 years (including this year at Trinity). I was the team captain for 2 years in high school. </p></li>
<li><p>I was the editor-in-chief of my high school newspaper for two years</p></li>
<li><p>I'm a musician, and have played guitar in a couple of mid-profile level bands in NYC/CT. I have links/samples for all my work. </p></li>
<li><p>I was the recipient of the TDF Open Doors Scholarship award, a program that takes students to discuss Broadway plays/discuss them with mentors/more. </p></li>
<li><p>I was a member of the National Hispanic Institute Youth Legislative Session a couple of years back. It was a week long mock government session held in Rochester. At the end of it, I was one of three nominees for "most potential male award". </p>

<br>


<br></li>
<li><p>Final round Posse scholarship nominee (or, Posse plus). </p></li>
<li><p>I was selected to take part in the Inner City Jobs program, a program that gave students interview/job training. </p></li>
</ol>

<h2>8. I graduated with an award in Business Law, Newspaper, and a couple of honors. </h2>

<p>Misc stuff - </p>

<p>I'm a hispanic student, from the Bronx, my class standing was top 15% and I write a kick ass college essay :)))</p>

<p>Sorry for the long post! I'm willing to fight hard for this one. But I'm so lost and there's seemingly such little options. And I really want to transfer out soon, but how soon am I looking at? One more semester, an entire year? Help :(. </p>

<p>Thanks for the reading/responses!</p>

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<p>Also any thoughts on what my chances could be for some of the top/private schools if I significantly build up my film portfolio even more (adding several more music videos, short films, etc) return to Trinity one more semester, and bust my ass to get something in the 3.7 GPA range? Especially since I’m taking 2, maybe 3 film classes. What do you guys think the position I would then be in to transfer somewhere for the Spring semester?</p>

3

<p>Although it’s not close to NYC, you might want to look into Columbia College in Chicago – it’s known for having good programs in your fields, Chicago’s a great city, and it may still be possible to transfer for the fall.</p>

4

<p>How much of an issue are finances? Do you still have the scholarship at Trinity, or will you lose it because of your grades? Can you pay for SUNY Purchase without going into debt? Do any of the CUNY branches offer your major?</p>

5

<p>Finances are a huge issue. My mom is disabled, and the only check she gets from the government barely covers her rent these days. </p>

<p>SUNY Purchase is a no-go, I did not realize their film program is a 4 year program regardless of how many credits I have. Plus I wouldn’t be able to transfer until next year. Yea…not happening. </p>

<p>That leaves CUNY. Brooklyn College is my first choice, with Hunter and City right behind it. </p>

<p>The NY Tap program should cover just about all of my tuition. I already get the maximum Pell grant so I would be getting that money back in a check, if I read correctly. That leaves me with about 5000 or so to play with to find a room to rent. But I can get another few thousand through working yearly/loans if necessary. I should be okay if I go to a CUNY, even if I have to find a place to stay (since my mom doesn’t want me year round). </p>

<p>The problem however, is that the CUNY schools I want to go to have a minimum 2.3 transfer GPA. The schools I want are still open for admission, however, my GPA is not there. As far as my high school and ACT stats go I am far and beyond the average. But am I screwed as far as getting into these schools now? Do I have to do one more year at Trinity?</p>