Transfer Admissions 101

<p>bumping…I’d also like to hear the answers to pacificvista’s questions about the recommendations. I know how to build a good relationship with a professor in general–no matter how big the lecture, they always know my name, I always get one of or the top grades, I always show exceptional interest in the subject, etc.–but when it actually comes down to asking a professor to write a rec, how do you go about it?</p>

<p>You work hard, contribute to class discussions and go to office hours (yes, even if you wouldn’t normally). Then in Dec before break or in Jan just after break, ask for a LOR. Of course this is a lot easier if you really are interested in the class and want to ask the prof questions, etc. but even if you aren’t, if you worked hard for your grade and contributed to the class discussions, you have indeed earned your LOR.</p>

<p>One suggestion I have since the semester is just beginning and you are already considering transferring and needing LORs, is to try and take 1 or 2 small or seminar style classes. That will make standing out just that much easier than being in a large lecture class where there isn’t much class give and take. </p>

<p>As far as giving your opinion, it is usually the WAY you do it than what you actually say. Be courteous and listen to and respect other peoples opinions and you should be alright.</p>

<p>Quick question about withdrawals:</p>

<p>I know Ws are a detriment to any transfer applicant, but if one were to retake a class which they’ve withdrawn from (due to extenuating circumstances) and earn an A+ in said class, would this mitigate the effects of the W which was earned?</p>

<p>random question:</p>

<p>i got into northwestern from high school but couldn’t go because of money and i made the financial constraint very clear to them when telling them i couldn’t go any longer (i initially sent in my deposit in may). does the fact that i got into the school initially help my chances for transferring? does that fact hurt my chances since i already turned them down (even though i made the reason very clear)?</p>

<p>thanks in advance</p>

<p>So I originally graduated from HS in 1998 and went to early college at a local university. I did well for the first year, then couldn’t decide on a major, and then had some serious family issues. So I ended up with a 1.6 GPA in 2000. I just returned last year to a community college and currently have had all A’s in everything I have taken and expect the same for fall. My gpa is 3.72 right now.</p>

<p>I want to move back to San Antonio and attend school and hope to get some scholarships and be able to quit working full time and then eventually continue on to law school. </p>

<p>What GPA will they consider for a transfer? Will the really old 1.6 factor in? Or will they favor the 3.72?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>They will look at your cumulative gpa, and also look at the trend.</p>

<p>Hello.</p>

<p>I’m a sophomore at Georgia Tech with a horrible 2.52 GPA. I want to transfer out to a better school, will having EC’s strengthen my position? Also, if I apply for Fall 2010, will they look at my Spring '10 grades as well? Or does it only go up to Fall 09?</p>

<p>Thank you</p>

<p>Of course ECs will strengthen your resume. I can’t see any reason why they would ever be a detriment to one’s application.</p>

<p>And yes, they will look at all grades earned up to that point, which will include spring (and possibly summer) 2010 grades.</p>

<p>^^While everything counts, there’s only so much help ECs will give to a poor college record. After all, academics carry the largest weight for any college application.</p>

<p>No, if applying for fall, it will mainly be your fall sem grades that count as decisions come out in May. Some schools want a mid-term report and that would be assessed. But final spring and summer grades, while they would count for credit, would not factor into the decision process.</p>

<p>^^^I never said they’d get him in for sure, but they certainly will never hurt.</p>

<p>You’re right about the second part. I don’t know what I was thinking there. I need sleep, apparently. Sorry about that.</p>

<p>Sorry, didn’t mean to contradict you, just wanted to keep the poster aware of the relative importance of each.</p>

<p>Don’t we all, need sleep that is ;).</p>

<p>Yes we do and some more than others.</p>

<p>Now that I’ve got your attention with my sleep deprivation, would you mind answering my question from the last page?:</p>

<p>“I know Ws are a detriment to any transfer applicant, but if one were to retake a class which they’ve withdrawn from previously (due to extenuating circumstances) and earn an A+ in said class, would this mitigate the effects of the W which was earned?”</p>

<p>I would think that yes, most schools would consider the reason for the W (have the school give a statement if possible (eg. medical) or write a straightforward reason in the “Additional Information” section of the app) and note that when you were able to complete the course, you were one of the tip top students.</p>

<p>Good night…</p>

<p>Thanks for the answers.
I’ve got another question. Would it be possible to ‘befriend’ someone at the admissions office? I don’t mean this in a way that it would up my chances of getting in, but I wanted to know how the school is like from a person that actually lives/works there. I would also like to have first hand info on what they look for from transfer students, etc.</p>

<p>Would the admissions officers get annoyed/is this too inappropriate?
thanks!</p>

<p>If you want to know what a school is like, someone in the admissions office is not the appropriate person to ask. You can check the boards here for various colleges, find information in books and websites, use facebook. You want to talk to other students, not adult administrators. </p>

<p>As far as what they look for in transfers, it really doesn’t vary that much from school to school, and it’s covered very well in the first few pages this thread. Beyond the basics, you should first carefully read each college website you’re interested in to see what they say. If it’s still unclear, you could email your question to the admissions office. However, I doubt you’ll get more than a canned response about grades, reason for transferring, essay, LORs, ECs, etc.</p>

<p>@tom</p>

<p>yeah, check the school’s board here. usually there will be a few people who can help you. i’m on the NYU board every day, haha.</p>

<p>hey guys i had a question. For the common app why transfer essay, how can i make it specific to the college if i am applying to three colleges? I already finished my essay but it definitely has space for improvement…</p>

<p>Yes, the CA permits you to make modifications to your essay and customize it for each school, if you have the space, I’d recommend doing so.</p>

<p>Re: tailoring the CA essay to each school, should it be one core essay that gets moderately changed for different schools, or should I write a whole new essay from the ground up for each school? </p>

<p>Also, how do you customize it? The CA essay page specifically says “Note: The Common Application essay should be the same for all colleges. Members that wish to review custom essay responses will request them on their Supplement form.”</p>

<p>entomom, yes i know it is recommended but i was asking HOW i customize it. There is space for ONE essay in the transfer CA. How would I modify that one essay to fit all three of my colleges in there? Like one paragraph for each school?</p>

<p>and yeah like tom said…the CA says that essays should be same for all colleges and that if they want more info, they would request them in the supplement. </p>

<p>So im a little confused…</p>

<p>Also my “Why transfer” essay is about 900 words long right now…is that too long? if it is…what is the recommended word count?</p>