Transfer out of Johns Hopkins into UNCSA while on some sort of leave

Hi, I’m currently a freshman at Johns Hopkins, having decided to apply to transfer into University of North Carolina School of the Arts. I’ve always wanted to chase my dream of becoming a filmmaker, but for many reasons, I have been chasing a fake dream of becoming a researcher in the field of biology. I have submitted my transfer application, and UNCSA does not state that I need to have obtained certain credit hours to be considered a transfer student or to be allowed to enroll (as the school makes you spend four years regardless of when you transfer in), and I cannot stand to spend another minute at Hopkins. It is a great school, just not the right fit for me, and I have tried getting help from a therapist/counselor at school. I even considered withdrawing from Hopkins, without worrying about not getting accepted for my transfer – which would leave my future in a crazy state.

However, if I took a leave of absence or a medical leave of absence, which would allow me to come back to Hopkins in the worst case scenario of not getting into UNCSA, it would be left as “Leave of Absence” on my transcript for the second semester. Do you think that would be a problem for the transfer? I didn’t want to ask a school official from UNCSA because I didn’t want it somehow negatively affecting my application status… To sum up: I have grades on record (the transcript) from the first semester, and I have applied to UNCSA, waiting for the results. If I took a leave of absence during the second semester, not receiving the credit hours or any grades for the second semester, do you think it would be a big deal in terms of their decision? I’m pretty sure once I’m on a leave of absence, and transfer to a different school, Hopkins automatically considers me as having withdrawn from the university. I don’t know what to do. Please help me.

@bcjang925 – I’m not sure how things work as a transfer student. There’s a Facebook group of UNCSA parents (it’s unofficial and not affiliated with the school) so I might try asking parents there. Good luck!

This is a question to take to the transfer admissions office at UNSCA.