transfer out with a 3.0?

<p>i am a currently a 2nd semester freshman (i started a semester late), so when i transfer i want to make sure i start in the fall because i have found that starting later than everyone else (in the spring) has contributed in my decision to transfer and i also commute. starting in the spring makes it harder to meet people and what not. i have weighed the options of living on campus but it doesnt appeal to me, its the school as a whole. its just not for me.
so instead of transferring as a junior (after 4 semesters) i will only have 3 (with grades for two of them). the problem is i only have about a 3.0 gpa. i had a rough first semester, my grades this semester are better (a's and b's). i am an athlete (however i wouldnt be recruited by any of these schools) so i am very involved at my school in that respect. i also have a part time job (15 hours a week). in hs my gpa was a 3.3 with 1300 sats.. great extracurriculars/ recs, etc. i am also a polisci major (possibly political comm. ) and maybe an econ minor.</p>

<p>on my final list of schools are: gw, bu, holy cross, lehigh, loyola maryland and lafayette. i know its random and i know there are other schools that would be more in reach that are "similar" but i have visited and i know what works and what doesn't.</p>

<p>my question is, realistically, is there any hope for these schools with a 3.0? i feel that with transfers, gpa is the big factor, which obviously isn't my strong point. is there anything i can do to stand out (interviews, etc.)? i don't know much about transfering. is anyone familiar with the transfer process at these schools? any help would be appreciated.</p>

<p>if you want to transfer, just apply. the worst is you get rejected, but you could always get accepted. theres no way to really know, and with a 3.0, your essays may make up for it, or some admission board member may say "hey i really like this guy" and push for you. the worst thing is to not apply.</p>