<p>For starters:
Can anyone who has had transfer experience with a low HS GPA and high college GPA share their experiences?</p>
<p>So I've read through many threads on this site, but I want more updated advice for my own personal situation.
Basically, I went to a competitive HS, messed up. Ended with an 86/100 average (about 3.0 GPA ?). Will be attending a state school as a freshman in September.
My dream school was USC when I applied as a HS senior, and I guess it still is as I keep going back to USC no matter how many other schools I read about.
My goal is a 3.7 plus college GPA. If it helps, I received a 91 average for each of my last three semesters of HS. I know I can improve if I work harder. Also, a portion of my HS grades sucked mainly due to my depression when my mother had cancer. (But I'm not going to lean on that as an excuse as many others have faced that and I was clearly not strong enough). My SATs also aren't that great: 1980.
I'm currently an undeclared business major at my university, I will get admitted into the program if I receive a minimum of 3.1 next term.
I'm definitely going to try for USC Marshall as a sophomore transfer, as that's the school I'm really interested in.
I want to try for higher tiered schools like Columbia, Cornell, etc. but I know my chances are slim with a pretty low HS gpa and not enough college credit to prove myself. Can anyone give me advice on this? Should I just apply to USC this year and then if i don't get in, build my college record and apply for junior transfer to tougher schools like the Ivies. Or should I try for the Ivies this year anyway? I really wish to transfer out of the state school I will attend as the business program is mediocre (I only recently decided I wanted to do business.)
Also, any recommendations on what other schools to try for? Do my SAT scores matter/should I retake them?
THANKS :]</p>
<p>I would work hard this semester and apply to USC. Worst case scenario, you don’t get in. The upward trend of your high school grades might help you, though I don’t know if it will affect your chances all that much.
For the Ivies, I would say don’t bother. I think a lot of people think, at least for a moment, that they have a new chance to go wherever they want, but transfer admission rates to Ivies are even lower than freshman admission rates. Unless you have a very good reason to apply to an Ivy (e.g. a specific program or department), it’s not worth the money you’ll spend on the application.
If you don’t get into USC, apply again next year. Your high school grades won’t matter, your SATs won’t matter, so if you do well at your current school, you will be a competitive applicant. And who knows, you may end up liking your university.</p>
<p>To answer your first question, I had a lousy high school GPA (3.0), and actually an even worse freshman year GPA (1.97). I left my first school after a year, but obviously I couldn’t transfer anywhere reputable. I spent two years working my way up in community college, graduated with two degrees, and transferred. It was a long trip (and it continues to be), but it was worth spending two years in CC (and being a year behind) to get to the school I really wanted to attend.</p>
<p>First, I would suggest that you retake your SAT until it reaches the median score of USC, Columbia, Cornell etc (a 2200 should be sufficient). Most importantly, stats are only half of your profile. You would have to write an outstanding and honest essay about why you are transferring and what you hope to achieve by transferring. Lastly, some schools take into consideration your family’s financial ability. If they do, they would certainly state so on their transfer-specific admission websites. </p>
<p>Don’t be discouraged just because your high school GPA was subpar. I would never have imagined that my 88/100 in HS can land me transfer admission offers from Georgetown and Swarthmore. Good luck!</p>