Recovering from a tough first semester

<p>In high school I was a good student, 3.7 uw GPA, 2230 SAT.</p>

<p>However in my first semester of college I basically fell apart. Without going into details there was a death in the family my first week of school and it threw me off for the entire semester. I missed time and spent most of the semester depressed. I ended up with a 2.34 GPA for my first semester which represents by far the lowest grades I have ever gotten.</p>

<p>I would like to transfer out of my current school by next fall if possible, however I am in a hole because of my first semester performance. Next semester I aim to get around a 3.7. This would bring my first year GPA up to just over a 3.</p>

<p>I know that my current GPA is an aberration caused by tragic circumstance. It's convincing colleges of this that will be a challenge. My main worry is that second semester grades aren't sent out until well after transfer apps are due- does this mean that colleges will only see my abysmal 2.3 and not any second semester improvements?</p>

<p>I guess I don't have many specific questions. Just wanted to get my thoughts out there and wondered if anyone had any advice.</p>

<p>Colleges will only see the grades you completed. If you’re not done with the second semester, and apply somewhere, they’ll only see your 2.3.</p>

<p>My suggestion to you is to wait. Don’t try to transfer for this upcoming fall semester. Wait, and try transferring for next semester. Your grades will be higher, and your chances of going to a better school with be significantly increased. Also, take summer classes; it’ll help.</p>

<p>I’m in a similar situation. I too just finished my first semester, and was looking forward to transferring for the fall. But the grades I received, just don’t match with the schools I’m looking to transfer to. I’ll just have to wait and transfer as a junior. Yeah, it sucks. Yeah, I’m PO’ed. Yeah, I’m full of regret. But next year, when my academic profile looks so much better, and I’m getting accepted by so many great schools, it’ll all be worth it.</p>

<p>I agree that you should wait and transfer as a junior.</p>

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<p>I meant “next fall”, not “next semester”.</p>

<p>Thanks for the encouragement Jerzey. Right now staying at my current school for another 3 semesters seems terrible to me, but in the grand scheme of things 18 months isn’t that much. When I finally do transfer to the school I want I will appreciate it that much more… it’s just very easy to get discouraged right now.</p>

<p>Who would you guys recommend talking to for advice about transferring? There are academic advisers at my current school, but I don’t feel comfortable asking them for advice on transferring. Surely there must be some resource I’m missing?</p>