<p>I'm currently about to complete my first semester at my local Community College and am trying to plan for a transfer. Of the schools that I had ultimately planned to apply to (Upenn, Villanova, Drexel, and Temple), I feel that Villanova is the best choice for me in terms of academics and probability of getting accepted. I intend on majoring in Finance which makes Upenn the best academic choice, but coming from a Community College I feel that the chance of getting accepted is next to nothing. </p>
<p>So given this, I decided to try to best align my courses with that of Villanova's curriculum. However upon reviewing their business curriculum, their program consists of some specialized classes that really don't have equivalents at my Community College. This now places me in a situation where I'm not sure what to do. Since Villanova only accepts fall transfers into their business school, do I...</p>
<p>A) Apply to Villanova for the Fall 09 Semester (their deadline is June 1). I'll have a 4.0 from my one semester but I worry that, given it's only one college semester, that my HS record will factor too heavily into the decision. While I was a great student in HS, ultimately extenuating circumstances (medical) caused a sharp decrease in grades around my junior year and ultimately lead to my withdrawal. As a result I went from being a top 5 student in my grade to receiving a GED. My EC's aren't too great either; I played two sports, participated in an environmental science competition, and I currently work 20-30 hours a week at a catholic organization (which I guess will help because Villanova is a catholic institution). </p>
<p>B) Use my best judgment to try to pick the most similar courses possible and hope for the best. There are some courses I can complete by Fall 2010 that are outlined in Villanova's curriculum like Macro and Micro economics, intermediate accounting, calc 1 and 2, and a few others like social/natural sciences. </p>
<p>I guess that my biggest fear is that if I wait until 2010, many of my credits will be worthless and I'll end up having to spend another semester or two (or three) in order to complete my bachelor's. Has anybody been in a similar situation or have any input that they could offer?</p>
<p>If I were you I would contact a transfer admissions rep from villanova and briefly explain your situation in terms of the weight the will put on your high school experience and current gpa and see what they advise. You could also apply for the fall 09 and then if you are rejected continue with the curriculum and apply again.</p>
<p>That sounds like a good idea. Since their transfer students are evaluated by the department/college that is being applied to, I’ll e-mail the business school and see what they advise. I also found this in their FAQ section:</p>
<p>"If I did poorly in high school or on my SAT or ACT, but I am doing well at another college or university, will I still be considered?</p>
<p>While Villanova believes that the best indicator of success is a student’s present performance, we do consider high school records and test scores when making our decisions."</p>
<p>I guess it’s reassuring that the most emphasis is placed on current performance but I still worry if one semester is enough.</p>
<p>^ true. Ivy Leagues and top caliber universities at that level tend to weigh extremely heavily on high school past record, no matter how many semesters/years you’ve been in college. However since you’re planning on transferring to Villanova, having only 1 semester of college work will still have your high school past reviewed harshly for admissions. Most likely when you’ve reached the mark of 30 semester units or somewhere around that range, Villanova will not look at your past high school record for admissions.</p>
<p>If you’re dead-set on Penn, have you considered the [College</a> of Liberal and Professional Studies at The University of Pennsylvania](<a href=“http://www.sas.upenn.edu/lps/]College”>http://www.sas.upenn.edu/lps/) ? If you have medical issues, their flexibility might be really good for you.</p>
<p>Also, I just have to say that there’s a big difference between the kid who coasts through a semester at a community college and gets a 4.0 in easy courses without trying, and the kid who gets a little lower but also does an honors curriculum while there and does a ton of extra projects in an attempt to bulk things up. Don’t go into it assuming all you have to do is get an “A” in everything in order to impress them. Kids coming out of community colleges with a 4.0 are a dime a dozen; you need to do something better than that if you’re considering competitive institutions. Hopefully, you’re aware of this and are taking the most difficult curriculum possible while there, even if it means making things more challenging yourself.</p>
<p>Yes unfortunately I think Wharton is out of reach because of my past. I’ve really taken a liking to Villanova’s business school though which is supposedly reputable (nice rankings and job placement stats) and has a strong Wallstreet alum (I want to go into banking or trading). They also have a really nice finance lab that is designed to simulate a trading floor. </p>
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<p>Haha I wish we had an honors curriculum; I would take it in a heartbeat. I am trying to choose the most challenging course load possible and I’m taking courses over the summer. There also aren’t really any relevant clubs or ECs… I was thinking about trying to organize a finance/investing club but I have no idea how to go about it and I’m not sure it would even generate enough interest.</p>
<p>“Yes unfortunately I think Wharton is out of reach because of my past.”</p>
<p>Not if you use the right approach. Seriously, set the bar high dude. I had an unweighted 2.75 in HS. Was set to go a local state school in Va, but decided I did NOT want to.</p>
<p>So instead, got some life experience… THEN went back to school.</p>
<p>Got a 4.0 my first year -> waitlisted at Stanford. Bummed, but inspired.</p>
<p>Maintained my 4.0 through 75 credit hours -> got in to Dartmouth. </p>
<p>giantsfan56, sometimes you just have to create the opportunities yourself. If you don’t have an honors program, ask your professors about additional projects you could work on or if they need a student to help them with research. Talk to someone in your Econ department about advising a club, and then have them recruit students in their classes. I think you’d be surprised how successful you can be. :)</p>
If you don’t have an honors program, ask your professors about additional projects you could work on or if they need a student to help them with research. Talk to someone in your Econ department about advising a club, and then have them recruit students in their classes. I think you’d be surprised how successful you can be. :)</p>