Quick question on transferring.

Transfer Students
1

Hey people! I’m going to fill in as much info as possible so there is no back and forth questions going on.

I’m a Product design student at WVC which is in Saratoga,CA (right next to San Jose,ca). I’m 26, and finally finishing my transfer requirements. I started school in 2009, hopped between de Anza and west valley, and never took it seriously until about 1.5 years ago. Most of my grades were hovering around d’s/c’s, and I surprisingly only failed 3 courses, one of which was dropped thanks to academic renewal, another one was replaced with a B, and the other I’m currently retaking and acing everything, so I’m ASSUMING I’ll get an A.

My current GPA is a 2.24 (not taking account classes from De Anza, which I assume will not affect my grade since I essentially retook them and replaced most of them?) and I have 3 classes to finish. My assumption is I get 2 A’s and 1 B and I’ll nail a 2.4, which is easy to do IMO.
My last few semesters I have been getting a few A’s and B’s (two b’s in my required classes, Engineering drafting/Color theory).

Now, most art schools are portfolio and GPA based.
However, the average GPA of applicants is a sky high 3.3+ (yeah, I feel like crud about that).

My three schools I’m looking at are (in order of hope):
1.SFSU.
2.California College of arts.
3.CSU Long Beach.

All three are a 2.5 GPA, but only 2 require a portfolio.

SJSU is out of the question with their ridiculous 3.5 requirement, so I see zero point in applying.

My question is, what are even the remote chances of getting accepted? I’m hoping that locality to the top 2 schools grants me more merit.
I’ve really been hauling a$$ these past few semesters, and I feel like my GPA just won’t do it.

P.S I saw on SJSU acceptance rating page that the "threshold"was 2.7, didn’t say if that was the threshold for admittance or just to be looked at…? Could that mean that SFSU/CCA/CSU LB has a threshold of 2.0 or a 2.2, for example?

Sorry for the long read, just didn’t want any confusion and wanted to get the point across entirely.

Just feel like I should give up trying to get into college at this point because my GPA and transcript are so out of whack, I’ll never be able to transfer until I hit my 30’s, and at that point…I mean.

2

bump. :smiley:

3

LB and SF are 2.0 GPA min. Although specific colleges might require a higher GPA. Keep in mind that often the minimum is symbolic if anything. For example csulb is min. 2.0, but actually has an average GPA of 3.5. Also, a 3.5 GPA requirement is totally normal (referring to SJ). A better, or more popular school will be more competitive. Purely based on GPA I don’t see a good chance of acceptance. Your best chance is to explain the circumstances and hope that admissions considers that. There is an uptrend in your gpa, which is good. I know some schools have transfer agreements, but you’ll have to see if you’re eligible.

4

SFSU doesn’t really have anywhere were I can explain circumstances, or at least I don’t really see anything that allows me to do that. I just have to go to the application page and apply, or so it seems, perhaps I should talk to an admissions counselor at the school?

I still feel that pure GPA admission is ridiculous, like how do you know if I wasn’t working 4 jobs to keep a roof over my head and studying full time, or if my dog died.

5

You can usually send an e-mail and explain the circumstance. They’ll attach the e-mail to your application. They do give leeway for a lower GPA, but only within a certain margin. Contacting the school directly is always the best option.

6

Unfortunately CSUs are pretty robotic when it comes to this stuff so you’d have to call/email a live person directly to explain.

7

Awesome, I’ll be sure to contact them!
I don’t know, I feel like I’ve been through hell and back and narrowed down exactly what I want to do in my life, and it seems like another roadblock has rammed me in the face. I see most of these students who are finishing design school and my work against theirs would be hard to tell a difference. Not trying to toot my own horn, just put a lot into design this last year and a half, I feel like it would be an insult to not get into a school due to my GPA, when my portfolio in CC rivals a student getting their BA*.

*I’m sure there is PLENTY of BA students who would put me to shame.

Thanks a ton for your guys’ help, I didn’t know I can actually argue a reason for my GPA. Learn something new everyday!