is it worth it?

Transfer Students
1

<p>so here are my very shabby stats again (for junior transfer):</p>

<p>hs gpa...2.5 :(</p>

<p>1st sem gpa: 2.3 :( :( :( (had family problems and people problems which led me to have a lack focus, though i don't think its a valid excuse)</p>

<p>2nd sem gpa: 3.0 :(</p>

<p>major: biomolecular science</p>

<p>let's take the best case scenario and assume that I get a 4.0 next sem (again i realize i probably won't even though i really want too but if i don't im not going to apply for transfer).</p>

<p>my total gpa would be a 3.4</p>

<p>my question is that is it worth applying to colleges like</p>

<p>mcgill
rutgers nb (oos)
ucsd (oos)
northeastern
rpi
bu</p>

<p>with those stats...i understand my chances are very slim if none...but is it worth applying anyway?</p>

<p>btw ec's if necessary:</p>

<p>hs: varsity debater, science Olympiad, research (have a publication in prestigious scientific journal), tennis team</p>

<p>college: activities chair of the international students organization, investment group, cricket club, friends of india association, doing research again, volunteer at local hospital.</p>

<p>reason for transfer: I don't like the atmosphere of the campus. I want a campus where everyone is motivated to achieve and i have more flexible research and academic options ( i realize that my stats may seem to contradict this but this is really how i feel). </p>

<p>thanks for reading this long post.</p>

2

<p>i need some input to decide if i need to start prepping up for next sem…go ahead and be honest, im not looking for a pat on the back here…</p>

3

<p>I’d like to note that although transferring is very competitive, the beauty is that people with imperfect GPAs but great life stories/experiences/etc still get in. if you’re unhappy at your institution and have valid reasons for transferring, go for it! just make a strong case for every school and write some killer essays</p>

4

<p>thanks for the post sofy…i will definitely consider that angle…anyone else?</p>

5

<p>If you have a good story behind your struggles and how your are trying to remedy the situation it’s possible. I had a 2.0 UW HS GPA, went to one year at ASU got a 3.4 and transferred to USC. My essay was about how I never tried in life and had a like .9 GPA after two years of HS then I got a job b.c my parents were divorced and my sister was gonig to college. My sister has stress issues and can’t work and go to school, so my mom had to support her heavily and I worked to get more money. After starting work I got a work ethic and although I ended up working 55 hours a week my senior year to help my family fanancially I was getting A’s in honor classes. </p>

<p>I think to estimate a 4.0 after a 2.3 and 3.0 semesters is steep. One of my suitemates transferred to McGill after one year at ASU and he said he had bad HS grades. He had good college GPA though. So after two years if you can get 3.2-3.4 then you have a chance there.</p>

<p>If you feel like the campus you are at is not a good place for you, maybe think about going to a CC. I know that being on a campus I didn’t like def effected my ability to try hard. Perhaps at CC you will be able to do better, and get a 4.0 easier.</p>

6

<p>If you’re really set on UCSD, I’d recommend attending a CC in California, as they’re (UC’s) pretty selective when it comes to out-of-state applicants for transfers, not to mention the entire Biology department is now impacted like engineering (very selective major).</p>

7

<p>wow selk that was a very inspirational story. congrats on your acceptance to USC…you really deserve it.</p>

<p>I do have a valid reason for not doing well maybe i could PM you?</p>

<p>thanks for the input guys its really helping…if anyone else has any advice, it would be most appreciated…</p>

8

<p>no problem </p>

<p>PM is fine</p>

9

<p>yes it totally possible, at least for northeastern i can tell you with confidence it does not require much to transfer in. </p>

<p>my friend who had a 2.5 college gpa got into northeastern for spring 09 and turned it down for BU</p>