Hi, I am a 22 year old who did 3 years at state school, very un-happy, unstimulated etc.
I decided to take a year off to do an Americorps program to better understand failings in the education system and practice my studied Spanish skills.
I ended up being hired then as a Field organizer for a campaign in CA. Due to success and hard work, I was appointed to leadership on the campaign.
I am looking at transferring now, as a non-traditional student to a different university, one more serious than my last school (a state school, party school environment). I was just wondering if my experiences make me a more competitive transfer applicant (my GPA is only a 3.0-- Poli Sci International Relations Major with a Spanish minor and teaching certification…)?
What are some good schools to look at? I want to be in a city, preferably the east coast.
I’m not old enough to apply for non-traditional degree programs, at least any I have seen.
ALSO: for my admission chances, I was raised in the foster care system, which speaks a lot (I think) as to why I struggled at first with college (no support system etc).
Any feedback/advice is very very very much appreciated!
I’m an advisor, and the vast majority of the time, when a student transfer, they lose time, I’m sorry to say. So if you already did three years, is there any way you’d consider going back to your original school with better focus and dedication and just finishing out your degree? You could do a master’s degree at another university if you wanted to continue your education after that.
If there’s just no way you can see yourself doing that, then I think your changes are probably pretty good at a decent state school. I doubt you’ll get into an Ivy, not that many of them accept tons of transfer students, but it sounds like you’ve gotten your head on straight now, and I typically find those types of stories pretty compelling when I’m reading admissions applications. Do be sure to discuss how your foster care background and lack of support probably contributed to your less than spectacular success the first time, but a 3.0 isn’t terribly by any means. Make sure you talk about specifically how you’re going to make sure you don’t fall back into your previous habits (and I don’t just mean saying that you won’t - how? Have you developed a support system? Will you take advantage of student support services on campus that you didn’t utilize before? Be specific!)
Most colleges and universities have someone in a transfer or advising office who can talk with you about your transfer credits and how many classes you’d need to take. I’d strongly encourage you to talk with people like this before you apply, if possible, to save yourself those fees!
I can’t recommend specific schools, because I don’t know of any that has a poli sci IR with a teaching certification!
Good luck, and feel free to email me if you have additional questions.
Angela