Transfer for CivE with terrible cumulative GPA, great math/sci GPA

Applying to College
1

Hi everybody,

I’ve done some searching around but would like to ask the folks on here if they have any tips or suggestions.

Essentially, I’m hoping to transfer in the next few semesters from a community college to a Civil Engineering program. My cumulative GPA right now is about 2.1, the reason it’s so low is because of 30 (yes…30) F’s from 2 semesters, one at a different community college, and one at a private art school, nearly 6 years ago.

I went back to school 3 years ago, at first part-time, now full-time and have received 'A’s and 'B’s since then, except for one semester (I was ill for a couple months and got an F in a class that I’m sure I withdrew from, Ive been fighting it but it doesn’t look like I’ll get it removed, i will have repeated the class however). Even including that, my GPA since returning is about 3.5. My strengths are math and science, and in the next 2 semesters I will be taking those exclusively completing pre-reqs for engineering (calc1,2, chem1,2, physics1,2), I fully expect to have nearly all A’s in these courses.

so, to sum that up, by the time I’d need to transfer, my cumulative GPA will still only be about somewhere in the 2.5-2.75 but my math/science GPA should be 3.5-4.0 and if you didnt include those courses from 6 years ago, my total GPA would be that high as well.

I’m afraid my low cumulative GPA will be enough to weed me out of being considered for engineering programs at the schools that will even consider my application to begin with. I briefly considered Colorado School of Mines and UC-Boulder but quickly realized I don’t stand a chance, even though I believe I would do great if I could just get in… I’ve been leaning towards applying to Montana State University or South Dakota Schools of Mines & Tech. because they seem like the only places that will consider me based on my cumulative GPA.

After all that, I guess I don’t have many specific questions, I’m just wondering if anybody has any experience with something similar, or knows of schools (rockies or west) with good civil engineering programs that would put less importance on those F’s from years ago and more on my recent successes, or really has anything else to add…

thanks for your time,
MWC.

2

Apply anyway. Most schools will ignore those old courses when evaluating admission if you talk about how you’ve matured in your application essay.

A friend of mine (another over 30 non-trad) was accepted to a top program at UIUC with a gpa under 3.0 because her math/science gpa was much higher.