Poor grades - what are my chances?

Student Lounge International Students
1

I am an international applicant from South Korea. I hope to apply to California State Universitiies for Spring 2017. Here’s my dilemma:

My high school grades were below average. Korean high schools use a different grading system with a class ranking and average, and my scores were usually average to below average. Most CSUs require 3.0 high school GPA.

Also, I attended 2 years at a Korean university. I got a few F’s with an overall GPA of 2.2. I’ve dropped out of the university last year and have been studying the TOEFL test and working part-time.

It’s been 3 years since I graduated high school. I made many mistakes but I’m ready for a fresh start in America (preferably California) and willing to go to almost any 4-year accredited university. I’m fortunate enough to have parents that will support me. I do not require financial aid.

I really want to go to SFSU or SJSU. What are my chances of getting accepted into any CSU as a freshman? Should I apply as a freshman or as a transfer student and submit my Korean college transcripts? I’m ready to start over as a freshman but could submitting my college transcripts actually hurt my chances of being accepted? Thank you.

2

You have to apply as a transfer student.

Universities in the US are strict about their admissions and expect incoming students to be truthful about previous coursework.
The CSUs will need to interpret your transcript.
You need to go to each website and check their policies regarding international transfers.
http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/narr/admission/rec-7523.7524.html
San Jose will be impacted and your grades will be reviewed. Less than a 3.0 will likely be a rejection.

3

Because you have to apply as a transfer student, and because your college GPA is low, your only option is to go to a California community college, establish a good GPA, and then transfer to a Cal State campus.

4

^ ditto katliomom. I wish you all the best with admissions to the California State system. But if direct admission doesn’t work out, going to a community college and transferring may be your next-best option.

I have been taking classes at a community college in California for fun and all of the classes I have taken were fantastic!!! It seriously made my doubt why people pay for expensive private colleges…