If I get my first semester GPA lower than 3.8, should I give up on Penn transfer?

Transfer Students
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<p>I currently attend a college that's ranked 20-something-th by USNWR.</p>

<p>I'm planning to transfer to schools that have programs my school doesn't have, and Penn has been my first choice.
I really have a strong reason why I want to transfer to Penn specifically, but it's been hard to back it up with EC, because there's no EC related to the program at my school. I've been looking for it in the community outside the school, but my effort has been in vain. </p>

<p>The worse thing is that I horribly messed up the first midterm (potential major) that's counted 30% into the entire grade. Unless I get 100 on two exams from now on, I won't get A-. So even with my best effort, I'll likely get B+. It's not that I didn't study--I studied darn hard so that even the professor would recognize my face in that huge class. I don't know if it was a test anxiety or if it was because I only got 4 hours sleep before the exam. I haven't even touched drug in my life, but I did it as if I was high on something. Looking back, I don't even know why I chose the wrong answer that's flagrantly wrong. </p>

<p>Also, my English professor is known for not giving A0, so my highest grade on essay has been A-. If I manage to write great essays so forth, I'll be able to get A-, but I've rarely heard someone who got A0. Even A- is rather rare.</p>

<p>I'm getting As on two other classes (should have been A+ by score (97+), but those classes don't have A+) </p>

<p>In the best case scenario, I'll get 3.84 (A A A- A-), in worst case, I'll end up with 3.67 (A A B+ B+). I think I might be able to get 3.75 with great effort. </p>

<p>I do think I'll do better next semester, since I won't have to take a huge survey courses and will be able to connect with professors better. But grades for the second semester doesn't count into GPA, since the admission result comes out around when the semester ends. I know they take mid-year report into account, but they aren't gonna be a part of GPA.</p>

<p>So my question is, if I get anything lower than 3.8 this semester, does it mean that I'll most likely not get in? I know there are SOME occasions of students getting into Penn with a gpa lower than 3.8, but my EC has been extremely weak. (I'm still trying to make it stronger). I think I'm gonna send an application anyways, but are there any transfer applicants who got into Penn with GPA lower than 3.8? Should I really give up and try to raise GPAs next two semesters and apply as a junior? Am I hopeless?</p>

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<p>I hope you do not explain why your college gpa in your essay as you are explaining here.
If you were rejected by Penn, it is most likely you cannot get in with your first semester grade. You should try in the Sophomore year. If the target is Wharton, then you have a lot work to do to get up the gpa.</p>

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<p>It’s CAS, not Wharton. And it’s a very specific major within CAS that are not offered by most of other top schools. Will higher standardized score (my CR on SAT / R on ACT were low last year, although the composite score fell in mid-50 percentile) and much more focused ECs and essays help? I was undecided when I was applying, and I didn’t really have good reason for “Why Penn”. I was babbling generic stuff. I’ve seen some people getting in with 3.7x GPA, so would that mean that they probably were on waiting list or got in in the first place? </p>

<p>Anyways, I appreciate your realistic advice. One test is screwing me up. I’ll try my best to get that A in English class by any just mean.</p>

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<p>And of course, I won’t explain my college GPA as I explained here. Come on… This is an anonymous internet forum. Do you think I’d really explain like this? There is absolutely no reason for me to write as if I’m sending this to Penn. Don’t assume that I’ll talk something like that, just because I said it on internet. If I was that dull, I wouldn’t have gotten into my current school in the first place.</p>

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<p>Go to a state school like me. It’s much cheaper.</p>

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<p>Very few transfers are taken at any top school. There is no reason not to try if you really want to go there.</p>

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<p>@DickCheney‌ I’m paying less than $10,000 every year, because the school gave me a generous financial grant. Also, I will have $0 debt when I graduate. This is pretty much similar at other most-selective universities. Private = expensive equation doesn’t hold the truth all the time as it did before. Also, many of them offer need-based, not merit-based. Come to a private school. It’s much cheaper if you manage to get financial grants. </p>

<p>@rhandco‌ Yes, but I wonder if I apply this time and don’t get in, that will affect negatively when I try to transfer as a junior to the same institution. If that’s so, I would hold it off until I’m a sophomore and have stabler GPA. </p>

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<p>@transferstud1‌ Geez why don’t I get offered such nice scholarships… That’s why I’ll end up going to state school and I have a similar GPA. They scared me off with their price tag.</p>

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<p>@DickCheney‌ Yeah, that’s totally understandable. Some of my friends didn’t get financial grant, so they’re paying 60K every year… If I hadn’t gotten a grant from any of the private universities, I have chosen a state school as well. It’s too risky to be on that amount of debt just with Bachelor’s degree. </p>

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<p>I am not sure in transfers at Penn, but in general, you will get less FA in transfer than in the freshman application. You should check it out first before you put in an application.</p>

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<p>@‌transferstud1 Transferring is hard nonetheless. I don’t think where you are is so bad. Just get involved and get some nice internships.</p>

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<p>@artloversplus‌ Top schools I checked said they still are need-based for US citizens and permanent residents even if they are transfer, and some of them explicitly said they don’t limit transfer students opportunity if they get in and can’t afford it. Penn’s Net Price Calculator says the result shown includes transfer applicants. I do think what you said is true in general, but schools with huge endowment are different. I’ve never heard of cases where transfer students to Ivy Leagues and its peer schools (which generally have a big endowement) giving a financial aid that makes students unable to afford the school. Also, I can manage up to additional $10,000 a year if I can pay it as loan, so don’t worry about if I’m going to put an application or not. I’m just asking for an individual and general cases about GPA. Beyond that wasn’t my questions since I got the facts straight already, nor should I be judged by how I wrote on the internet forum, haha. Thanks. </p>

<p>@DickCheney‌ I’m already heavily involved in the community, it’s just that it’s not related to what I want to do. There isn’t any EC that’s related to what I’m interested, nor academic program. I searched volunteership or internship in the community, but they said they only accepts students from schools that have connection with them and my school isn’t one of them. My opportunity is pretty limited here. There is a reason for me for transferring, and it’s not social one. Socially, I’m doing pretty well here. </p>

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<p>No.</p>

<p>Keep your overall GPA above 3.7 though.</p>

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<p>If there is not an EC related to what you are interested in, perhaps you could start one? </p>

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<p>@CeaselessPain That’s my goal this semester!</p>

<p>@nickxx That’s what I thought, but I need a structure for the organization and plans… I’ve been searching an organization or groups that might support related student clubs, no fruit so far.</p>

<p>If I really mess up this course (Other courses are going well so far), I’m even thinking about dropping it. But then I’m only taking three credits. I’m still eligible for being a full-time student, but would this undermine chance for transfer greatly, even if I supplement with five courses next semester? Most students take four courses each semester. I guess so, since the schools see the course rigors. Do you guys have any idea? If I drop it, I’m planning to take some online courses that’s related to the potential major I want to study at the transfer school. </p>

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<p>A 3.8 from 20 something ranked school is still great. The average transfer GPA for Penn is still lower than that I believe. And you’re not alone in not having EC’s related to your program at your school, I believe Penn will understand that if it is as specific as you say it is. Good luck!</p>

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<p>@NCXfer‌ Thanks! Hopefully I’ll maintain my GPA above 3.7 this semester.</p>

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<p>Can anybody answer me about dropping another class (taking 3 credits (1 credit per class)) this semester and taking 5 credits next semester? All of my courses this semester’s gonna be language then. But would it be better than having one bad grade or would it hurt more? I can still be a full-time student with 3 credits. </p>