<p>Good afternoon! I'm kind of an odd duck transfer student. When I started at Northern Virginia Community College twenty years ago (yeah, you read that right) my grades were horrible - mostly Fs - and I dropped out. I finally became a serious student about five years ago, and quit my job to start taking a full-time course load two years ago. Nothing but As and Bs since then. (A lot more As than Bs, too.) I applied, and was put on Academic Waitlist and told that they didn't want to make any decisions until they'd received my Spring 2014 grades - understandable, since I hadn't completed a math or science in 17 years. My transcript just went to them (all As including Math, except a B in Biology). Now . . . I'm waiting in agony.</p>
<p>Here's where I'm at: GPA 3.7 (I believe it's 3.5ish if you include my poor grades from 20 years ago, which JMU says they do), with 73 credits completed. I've gotten As and Bs since I began retaking classes. I'm 38 years old with a lot of solid business experience, some volunteer and teaching credentials, and Phi Theta Kappa on my record. My personal essay was rather erudite, if I say so myself; unfortunately, my recommendation never arrived (my congressman was supposed to write it, and he flaked out.) I've already been accepted to the College of Music, and they're anxious to have me (though I honestly don't know how much say they have in the decision process, if any).</p>
<p>What do you think my chances are, at this point?</p>