<p>So, the average grade I earned in my high school courses is an 85 or an 86. I acknowledge that I completely messed up my high school record.</p>
<p>I am fortunate enough to make it to a four year university. However, it is not my top choice.</p>
<p>As horrendous as my grades are, I do think I have potential and I plan to prove it during college. But I wonder whether it is even plausible to transfer to my top choice university with a high school record like mine, since high school grades are valued significantly more than college grades for a sophomore transfer.</p>
<p>Please offer opinions.</p>
<p>Ok, Since when is an 86 average “horrendous” ? There’s nothing unusual about making it into a 4 year school with an 86 average. There are plenty of decent state universities that would take that grade any day as long as your SATs aren’t genuinely horrendous. </p>
<p>That said, you’re right, if you do well in college, your high school grades don’t matter as much. If you intend to transfer into your state’s “flagship” state school from a lower state school, they probably won’t matter at all. However, for most selective private colleges and universities, they will be looked at. Adcoms always like to talk about how much they love upward trends, so in a way, it might give you an extra boost depending on your circumstances. For example, you might have had a genuine hardship that affected you deeply in high school. </p>
<p>I don’t know anything more about you. What is your top choice anyway? What do you do for fun? (yes, that matters :P), what about organizations you’re involved? Nowadays there’s so much grade inflation that it’s sad that at many schools an 86 average looks horrendous when you take a look at the big picture, while at a competitive high school, an 86 average may be perfectly decent. </p>
<p>There is nothing stopping you right now really. I read in my local paper last year about a woman who transferred into Oxford University from my town’s local community college. However, in cases such as those (or transfers into any super prestigious universities) it’s more than just about grades, as you probably know. </p>
<p>Consider why you want to transfer. I have a feeling, that especially for top schools, that’s an important factor. (most top schools have a supplement essay asking why you want to go there) Are you transferring simply because you seek out the prestige? If so, that probably isn’t a compelling reason. You may end up happy at your current 4 year college. However, if you feel like you aren’t being challenged there or that you don’t like the social environment while you’re there, or if you don’t like their program with the major that interests you, by all means transfer.</p>
<p>Just wait to transfer until you’ll have junior status. Your high school record will be completely irrelevant.</p>
<p>Ok, we are just in the very opposite shoes…I had excellent HS gpa but poor freshman gpa. I’ve been worried and anxious about it for like four months and still clueless about what to do. I’m sure you have a better shot than I do coz the key factor to successful transfering is college gpa. Wish you luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input.</p>
<p>The main reason I want to transfer is because my state flagship’s department in my intended area of study is not very strong. I think Georgetown or George Washington are better options for me.</p>
<p>I have shown great interest in that area. I have volunteered for midterm election campaigns in 2010, participated in the school debate team and won awards in debate. I am also interning for a Senator (hopefully) in the fall.</p>
<p>I think my ACT score (29) and GPA are holding me back.</p>
<p>"since high school grades are valued significantly more than college grades for a sophomore transfer. " where did u get that? Most universities just set gpa cut-offs even they say they won’t. Like Umich ann arbor, it send offers to a lot of applicants from my country with pretty college gpa but in very very awful colleges. I don’t think it’s fair enough coz we all know that in top schools, gpa is harder to keep high. So you should have more confidence, at least you have good college gpa. Think about my situation, I’m sure you will feel better.</p>