<p>I currently attend a community college in Dayton, OH and plan to transfer in the fall of 2008. My high school record is terrible (2.7 GPA, regular college prep, no SAT/ACT). I have worked full time for the past two and a half years while carrying a full credit load. My college GPA is currently at 3.4 and I hope to raise it to 3.6 by the time I graduate with an A.A. in Liberal Arts. I am a member of my school's honors program and will be joining Phi Theta Kappa when my GPA gets high enough. My interests are fairly wide ranging academically, including sociology and philosophy but I will most likely be majoring in English and would like to attend a school with a strong creative writing program. My question is this: with my academic record, what schools do I have a realistic shot of getting in to? I would prefer a smaller college and a liberal arts college would be ideal although cost is a major concern. As far as location goes, I'm up for anything although I would rather not go too far south. I've been doing a lot of research and it seems like all of the colleges I would like to attend are huge reaches. Any helpful insights would be greatly appreciated and if you need any more information please feel free to ask. Thanks so much.</p>
<p>As you've said you'd like to limit your search to LACs, I would look at the USNews ranking for a starting point. Just a/b any LAC will have a good English department. Realistic choices (matches) with your numbers would be LACs ranked 50ish and lower. The next point for you is probably to focus on location (if that's a factor) and narrow it down some more. I'd also suggest making sure to include two safeties (2nd tier LACs should work) and several reaches (above 50th). I know people don't like rankings, but when you aren't really sure of the criteria (other than what you've noted, which practically every LAC has), they can be good for matching your stats up with likely schools.</p>
<p>When you say you are "up for anything," does that include schools in Ohio?</p>
<p>Would you need financial aid? That would be tough --but, otherwise, have a look at Bennington, Goucher,and Hampshire College. Possibly also Earlham, Allegheny, Muhlenberg. This is in keeping with brand_182's comments--all these places are good for English.</p>
<p>What are the "huge reaches" you would like to attend? That would give us an idea of your inclinations.</p>
<p>Sorry for the delay in replying and thanks for all of your help thus far. As for the huge reaches I was referring to, I had a professor of mine recommend that I check out Reed. I've also been looking at Oberlin and Kenyon so colleges in Ohio certainly aren't out of the question. I'm going to either need financial aid or an extremely sympathetic loan officer so money is a bit of a concern. I know a lot of LAC's don't offer much financial aid (if any) to transfers especially those outside of the top tier like Amherst aka the dream I'll never see.</p>
<p>Reed is just as big of a dream as Amherst...</p>
<p>in 2006 Reed accepted close to 40% of the transfer applicants I believe. Amherst accepted around 10% so they really arent the same dreams...</p>
<p>Reed and Amherst are probably fairly even as far as selectivity goes. In referencing Amherst, I was pointing more to the availability of financial aid there. AdamM...Reed really accepted 40% of their transfer apps? Is this typical for them or some kind of huge fluke? As a side note, does anyone have any insight into transferring to Hampshire College?</p>
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Reed and Amherst are probably fairly even as far as selectivity goes
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<p>They're not. Reed does typically accept around 30% of transfers now, though in the past they were taking 40+.</p>
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As for the huge reaches I was referring to, I had a professor of mine recommend that I check out Reed.
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This is a key point, gizmo.</p>
<p>In my opinion, having strong support of one of your profs - which would show up in the form of a stellar recommendation - is a huge asset to a transfer app. I also happen to think that your profile - major improvement in your academic peformance at cc vs. high school, along with carrying a full load while working full time - makes you a standout applicant on many dimensions. (Don't you wish I were the Transfer Admissions Committee ;)?)</p>
<p>Maybe you won't be a candidate for places where most applicants are 800-800 on their SATs, valedictorian etc. But that's not what you're aiming for, for the most part.</p>
<p>I'm betting that the schools you've mentioned (possibly excluding Amherst, who knows) as well as others you might target are very much the holistic admissions types. So, keep those reaches. Add some that have even higher transfer admit rates but that appeal to you.</p>
<p>Keep the relationship with that prof strong. If s/he has a relationship with faculty at Reed, you might even ask if s/he would make a call. </p>
<p>I don't have much knowledge re finaid for transfers - merit aid, I know, is close to non-existent. </p>
<p>I think brand is right about a method for identifying schools. Keep your reaches. Use USN&WR rankings as a handy way to identify those lower down the selectivity list which also appeal. If you buy their Online Premium Edition, you can click through to see recent transfer acceptance rates and then to their websites to see typical fin aid policies for transfers. That should help you come up with some sort of list.</p>
<p>Come back with ideas if you need help narrowing down.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>Phi Theta Kappa really helps! Try getting an officer position. I'm a charter president and I'm counting on PTK to be the final factor in my transfer to Johns Hopkins...hopefully.</p>
<p>I figured I will fill you in on some vital information AdamM412 : Comparing percentages does not many any sense. If you can't figure out why, then I would say that you have a problem. Please do not post absurd comments such as "in 2006 Reed accepted close to 40% of the transfer applicants I believe. Amherst accepted around 10% so they really arent the same dreams...". Thank you for your time.</p>
<p>I'm thinking a big reason that Reed's percentage is high is because there applicant pool is mostly self selecting. Reed is one of those places where, as I've seen many times, "if you're a Reedie you know it." So the pool of applicants at Reed is devoid of many of those who don't "fit" at Reed...let me know if my rambling makes any sense at all.</p>
<p>^^ Make*** not many any sense >.<</p>
<p>I believe both Bennington and Hampshire have been at my college's transfer fair. Hollins actively seeks out community college transfers and is one of the country's best for creative writing, though it won't help you if you're male. Guilford gives good aid to community college transfers and particularly likes the ones without perfect records. Marlboro might be another to look at.</p>
<p>Amherst is as selective as the Ivies...in fact, Amherst, Williams and Swarthmore have been nicknamed the "little Ivies"</p>
<p>To answer "do I have a realistic shot of getting in," unlikely with your grades.</p>
<p>Reed, maybe. I just looked at the stats for last year's class...looks competitive but not insane. I think it might really come down to the SAT's...you could get a stellar score since you do have distractions in your life that probably hurt your grades.</p>
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Comparing percentages does not many any sense. If you can't figure out why, then I would say that you have a problem
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<p>In fact, comparing percentages makes great sense. Just be sure to keep it in context. If a school has a 10% acceptance rate but low SAT midranges / average GPAs of incoming students, it's obviously not so selective, it just has a weak, large applicant body and few spots. </p>
<p>In the case of Amherst and Reed, based on 2006 data:</p>
<p>Amherst
17% transfer acceptance rate
1430 Average SAT</p>
<p>Reed
41% transfer acceptance rate
1380 Average SAT</p>
<p>It looks to me like the applicant pools of these schools are relatively similar, with Amherst's being slightly stronger, perhaps due to its prestige as one of the consistently ranked top 3 LACs. Reed also has very strong applicants and in all fairness should be a top 15 LAC but it does not conform to the USNews rankings and so it gets the shaft. If the applicant strength is similar, we next look at percentage accepted. Reed's admission rate (which is twice that of Amherst) shows that it is easier to get into Reed as a transfer than Amherst, which is what most of us have come to expect. In conclusion then, Adam was correct when he said they aren't the same dreams. You have a better chance of getting accepted to Reed than Amherst.</p>
<p>Also, the median ACT at Reed is only a 30. I'd say if you could get yours (which is what I'm trying to do) to about a 31-33, and bump up the GPA to maybe a 3.7, all while keeping up the Ecs and getting solid references and writing an amazing 'Why Reed' Essay, you're going to be very competitive. That's what I'm working on right now. I'm not really worried about the GPA (mine = 3.9), but my ACT is only at their median. A couple of points more, would really make me comfortable. Also, show a lot of interest in the school. They have some really great people. Schedule an interview and plan a visit.</p>
<p>I was admitted to Hampshire this year as a transfer. I came from a four year, and had ~ a 3.7. I am not going to go there, but it is a wonderful school, if you are the right kind of student (judging by the fact you are considering Reed, I would say you are). I think you stand a good chance there, however, make sure you write fantastic essays. I would say that that these will carry as much weight as your actual stats. Another VERY important factor is the interview. If you can make it out to do that, I suggest you do.
Anyways, they are looking for students who are self-motivated and eccentric, quirky and passionate. So try to mention something like that in your essay. If you don't really have those qualities, I don't know if you'd fit in at Hampshire.</p>
<p>Also, if you like Hampshire, check out Wheaton College in MA. It is a fantastic LAC in Norton, MA, which, to some extent, has a student body similar to Hampshire's.
I live close to both schools, so if you have questions on either feel free to ask.</p>