Transfer Student

<p>Hello People. </p>

<p>I am a student at a community college and I am planning to transfer to a 4 year university in 2 years. I was wondering if you can give me some pointers. The reason I attended a community college is because 1) I didn't have enough money to attend a four year 2) I didn't do so well in high school. I decided to go to my local community college because I like school and I want to do something with my life someday. When I was in high school I didn't know what I wanted. I mean I worked hard and participated in school activities and actually was class president for two years. I wasn't a really bad student, but I usually failed all my math classes and tended to do better in AP classes that regular classes. My gpa was 3.1, but I thought that I could have done so much better and actually proved myself correct. In college, I have a 4.0 GPA and I am taking 2 Honors classes ( biology and English language)
and I am taking calculus and psychology. I realized that I college is a better environment to me than high school. </p>

<p>I understand that colleges look at high school transcripts when one applies, do they weight that equally to college transcripts? And what do you guys recommend to make my application competitive. The three schools I really want to attend is Cornell University, UC Berkeley, and John Hopkins University. Do you think I might have a chance? </p>

<p>Thank You guys for helping me out. This is a great site!</p>

<p>-Cristian</p>

<p>it depends</p>

<p>what year are you? hs transcript will likely be the biggest factor in your admissions if your applying in the first two years...if your applying for first semester junior or past that hs grades wont mean too much...a 4.0 from a cc will be competitive to those schools, however its going to be a matter of making yourself stand out on top of that</p>

<p>also, if you get an associate's you often will not have to submit any high school transcripts or test scores.</p>

<p>Oh really?? Wow. well I am planning to transfer as a Junior. Right now I am a Freshmen and I got my fall quarter grades (4.0). I was also looking for some research opportunities at local 4 year universities. </p>

<p>How can I make myself stand out?</p>

<p>you'll have to submit high school transcripts and test scores when applying to most private schools. while, odds are, if you transfer as a junior, like most people, your high school ish will be overlooked. however, if there are some serious blemishes, they WILL be seen; and regardless of promises not to take them into consideration, in the end, actual people will be looking over your app and can't literally turn a blind eye.</p>

<p>my advice, having come to the end of an uphill battle with CCC, in order of importance:</p>

<p>1) Get as many A's as ****ing possible. (3.8 - 4.0 for those highly competitive schools.. which really isn't that hard.. until you start juggling)
1.1) Office hours actually help, and in my experience, few people, if any, ever show. also good for developing relationships with professors for recs later on.
2) Get them in as many honors courses as possible
3) Get involved on campus! It will both keep your head in the game and inspire you.
4) Get involved in things pertaining to YOUR MAJOR: internships, clubs, classes, research opportunities.. many things available. be sure to talk to faculty members.
5) If you haven't single handedly started 2 clubs, get active positions in 3 (Pres / VP). also, stick with the same clubs! start now, end spring before transfer.
6) Get a part time job, if you can manage, so that you can attest to having provided for yourself financially, at least in part. </p>

<p>bust your a$$ for two years doing all of that successfully, and you'll be competitive as any 2400, 7 AP course loaded uber child.</p>

<p>do it right.. don't mess up, because it's near impossible to raise your gpa once you've let it fall.</p>

<p>Oh ok. Thats great. Thanks for the help. I was just really worried about my HS transcript. I did ok just didn't do very well in math classes. Oh, another question. Should I get an assosiates degree or what do I do?? Does it matter to get a bachelor as a transfer?</p>

<p>Good thread, I was wondering the same thing (3.3 GPA through junior year, 3.7 currently as a senior). I'll be going to a branch campus then transferring. Do you have to transfer BEFORE junior year in order to have your HS transcript overlooked or first semester junior year?</p>

<p>I like the advice from pinkerfloyd. A lot.</p>

<p>I don't know if you need to do #5 and #6 (or either of them), but they certainly wouldn't hurt. Items #1-4 are excellent advice.</p>

<p>Also read the Transfer Admissions 101 sticky thread, if you have not already.</p>

<p>Good luck to you.</p>

<p>I was just looking at the transfer requirements for some universities and most of the schools that I was looking at required at least 4 semesters enrolled at the school to qualify for a bachelors degree. Yes, I agree pinkerfloyd's advice is great.</p>

<p>As a student trying for the 3rd time to transfer into the University of Virginia, I have to wholeheartedly agree with pinkerfloyd. I've worked tirelessly these past 3 semesters at my current college (I'm currently a Sophomore), and I'm praying that I can get into UVA. Third times a charm right? <em>Crosses Fingers</em></p>

<p>good luck to all of you.
yeah... if you're in california, and your number one choice is UCB, 5 and 6 probably don't matter that much, if at all. 6 less than 5. cristian put cornell and johns hopkins on his list and asked how he could become competitive for those schools, not meet the standards. keep in mind that an active roll in a club can only be held by one person (sometimes two). that means that of all the people from your school, applying under your major, to the same competitive schools, with the same competitive GPAs, you're the only one with that particular long standing involvement in leadership, showing of true dedication to your major.</p>

<p>also, a lot of people overestimate the time commitment required by such rolls in clubs.
you meet 2 - 4 times a month.. it really isn't a big deal.
if you're club president, you'll meet with ASO a couple of more times a month, but again, not so stringent a constraint. </p>

<p>glad you guys found this thread helpful.</p>