My chances as a transfer to Pitzer?

<p>Hi, I'm a sophomore at a small liberal arts college in the midwest. I feel really isolated in the midwest going to a college that's roughly 85% white (I'm Asian, the school is 1.3% Asian). Pitzer College is my my dream school, but I know my chances are so low. My GPA is about a 3.6, which is compiled with some community college classes, as well. I have confidence in writing good essays and having a good interview, especially because I love the idea of Pitzer's five core values. I personally really connect with social responsibility and student engagement. Growing up in a blue collard community and growing up half Japanese has provided some difficulties down the road, which I think has developed me into a caring individual regarding social issues. I engage in the community because I think under privileged students and citizens deserve an equal chance and if I can help give them that possibility, I always will. </p>

<p>I currently intern for an organization that helps with autistic adults through my school and I participate in two clubs for gender equality and fight for social injustice. I am also an intern for a poetry review book, where I read several submissions and pick the best ones to appear in the annual poetry book (some of the best submissions have been from people who are in jail, which I think are really neat). Finally, I am a peer mentor in English and Political Science for the Japanese foreign exchanged students.</p>

<p>I don't think I really have that much to offer, but I want honest opinions on how low my chances (or high) of transferring into Pitzer College. I know academics are really important at Pitzer and a 3.6 isn't super high, especially coming from an average liberal arts college. I have had my struggles as a student with racial remarks and isolation, which I can't use as an excuse to my grades, but I think they build character and a story that Pitzer may be interested in—I don't know. I will not be providing my SAT score or my high school transcript because I didn't score very high and I have 30 transferrable credits (my high school grades were much worse than my college grades). </p>

<p>Please, please, don't troll me. I just want real opinions. I really appreciate your time. Thanks.</p>

<p>You are correct to think that it may be a long shot. I think what you call your “story” will make or break it for you.</p>

<p>You don’t mention your gender. Scripps? It is across the street and you can take a lot of classes at Pitzer. You can eat your meals at Pitzer. You can even declare your major at Pitzer.</p>

<p>Avoid the story of the isolation and racial remarks, and focus more on the story of your connection to social justice and active engagement in the community.</p>

<p>Everyone experiences adversities that build their character. The more compelling story you have to tell is the one that <em>shows</em> the character you have built from your experiences. Focusing on your work in the community will send a much stronger message about your fit into the Pitzer community and your connection with their core values.</p>

<p>As a transfer, you are always going to be evaluated for fit. You are jumping into an established cohort mid-stream, so admissions committees are especially cautious to avoid choosing someone who will struggle against the prevailing current instead of going with the flow.</p>

<p>If you can really bring forward your personal connection to the school and its mission, I think your chances at Pitz would be good enough to warrant reaching for it.</p>

<p>I would agree with most of what Jonathan and DreamSchlDropout have to say. My 2 cents:</p>

<p>Your stats aren’t as high as you might want them to be, but in terms of academics the most important thing as a transfer (IMO) is that you can show you have the ability to succeed in college level courses. As long as you don’t have any absolutely terrible grades on your transcript, I don’t think it will hold you back too much. The most important part of your transfer application is going to be demonstrating exactly a) why you want to transfer, b) why you want to go to Pitzer as opposed to any other liberal arts college and c) what you will bring to the Pitzer community. I can’t emphasize enough on demonstrating “Why Pitzer.” So many students in the past have applied to Pitzer because of the Claremont Consortium or the weather or LA. Your connection the 5 core values is best–if you can demonstrate your commitment to core values through your experiences in a compelling way, it will help you greatly.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>