<p>Hi, though I always loved to read the posts on CC this is my first time actually writing something here. I tried to search through CC to see if anyone else had any of the similar situations as I did but guess not.<br>
I'm a sophomore at a local community college trying to apply as a transfer for fall09.
I was always very active and involved in high school but didn't really have stellar gpa/SAT. (can't exactly remember but i think it was 3.4/1870?)
I had a few honors and leadership positions in high school, such as serving as a vice president in MUN and youth leader for the Big Brother Big Sister Organization's intergenerational program and the special needs program.
I did get into Case but went to live abroad (family issues)for almost two years right after graduating high school.
For almost two years i did nothing but work, but had a great work experience.
To name a few, I translated kid's summer science activity books into English and worked as a teacher at an English academy where I also acted as a coordinator to take the students abroad to Singapore for the summer English camp.
I know I didn't have the best stats when I was in high school, but through various work experiences, I thought I could really do something better once I got back to America.
Everything seemed to work out at first, when I got a 4.0 taking 17 credits and working as a cashier on weekends. But after gaining confidence, I thought I could do better and in some ways i wanted to train myself for the 4-year university workload. So for the following semester I registered for 19 credits. However, I never took into consideration that this time I was not only taking more honors courses, but I also was working for more hours.
Anyhow, the trouble all started when I began getting really stresed. I even had to miss a few classes but still, I thought I could pull it off- until I mixed up the dates for the final and missed one! I did get all A's for the rest of my classes, but I ended up getting an F for that class. It's not one of my major classes, but still it's an F, and there's no way for me to change that grade. Now I have a gpa of 3.667.
What do I do now? Do you think I have any chances at all for
Cornell (ILR) or Johns Hopkins (international studies major)?
I'm also applying to a state university but if I do plan to go there I'll just stay for another semester get my AA so that I'll be qualified for more scholarships.
So what do you think? Does anyone have any advice on this situation?</p>
<p>A letter of explanation will be necessary, as well as an official explanation so that schools to which you apply don't think that the "F" was for academic dishonesty. And that is the impression since missing a final exam typically results in an "incomplete" or, at least, an averaging of the failed final with the rest of your semester grades to result in a grade above an "F".
If, however, the "F" was the result of an incident of academic dishonesty, then state schools are your best bet because they have an obligation to in-state students & taxpayers.</p>
<p>Oh, no definitely it was not because of an academic dishonesty. The class was an Ed Psychology class and the final was an essay I had to turn in. The problem was that the 15hour observation paper was also due the same day (which worth 1/3 of the whole class grade) so basically the average came out to be an F. My advisor knows very well of this situation and so she did tell me that she will write an explanation letter, but i'm just still worried if that'll make me look like an irresponsible person.</p>
<p>Each school will have it's own interpretation. To me, it looks irresponsible. Is there an option to repeat or withdraw? I am sympathetic as I too received an "F' during summer school at a local college because my mother had a heart attack & I had to stay at home with her during a recovery period. I was irresponsible in that I failed to withdraw from the class & subsequently received a failing grade. But, it was still my fault.</p>
<p>Oh, I'm really sorry about that. I hope your mother is better now. Well, for me, I agree. I should have been more responsible for my own things. Though at this point, I cannot withdraw from the class, but I certainly plan to retake the class. However, I'm trying to apply for this fall, so the F will still be there during the application process regardless of whether i retake the class or not.</p>
<p>Might as well apply and see if they are sympathetic. Your experience is interesting. Be sure to write about it. Apply to some state publics, too.</p>
<p>Thanks, greennblue. I'm trying to apply to Maryland and UVA for state schools. Do you know anywhere else that might be a good shot for me?</p>
<p>anybody else?</p>