Transfer With Poor GPA, Great ECs and a Story:

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello there!</p>

<p>I am a Bard College student transferring to Smith College, worried if my poor GPA will affect the process. And I hate sounding cliche, so police me if I am!</p>

<p>I am looking to apply as a Sophomore transfer to Smith College. I currently am attending Bard College, but am not enrolled because it did not meet full financial need (on average it meets about 50% while Smith meets 100%). I also am not impressed with its academic life.</p>

<p>I have maintained As in courses that are mostly workshops and philosophy-related. </p>

<p>I have B- in a Philosophy class on Kant that was way over my head at the time and a C- in Arabic, although the funny thing is I had taught Arabic prior to the class and my dad's side of the family is Arab and speaks it fluently. I would extrapolate on this in a section on my application. I might have another B- somewhere. <em>Sigh</em> This clearly has brought my GPA down, down down.</p>

<p>I suppose I would like to know the weight my extracurriculars and recommendations hold. I can obtain great recommendations, and have a lot of work experience campaigning, with publications (I was a syndicated columnist in high school and wrote an opinion article in the NY times), and in leadership positions (as an Arabic and harp teacher, Girl Scout gold Award, ect.). My academic interests are there also, as I have been in many clubs, and started a blog on a post-strucural way of viewing Middle Eastern conflicts ...very Smithian and Bardian...I know I won't bore you with that, anyway.</p>

<p>I normally would continue my education at Bad to improve my GPA, but like I said...I was forced out of enrollment due to their policies Smith College does not have.</p>

<p>Clearly, I think I'm a good fit for Smith...but due to my academic performance...will they?</p>

2

<p>A word of advice anyone?</p>

3

<p>I am a little confused… are you currently attending Bard or not? And what is your GPA? All I’m getting from this is that you have A’s, a B- and a C-</p>

<p>Regardless, since you’ll be transferring as a sophomore, I think they’ll look at your high school as well. From what I understand, your chances are good. But I am confused…</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the response. I’m not sure what my GPA is, but clearly not at a very competitive level. </p>

<p>You’re right, I worded that wrong. Long story short, I was not able to come back this semester because I was not financially cleared and couldn’t pay the amount owed. I would transfer from Bard, though I am not taking classes or enrolled this semester.</p>

5

<p>Would it be best if I prove myself at a community college, then transfer?</p>

6

<p>I think you should just try to go straight to Smith College if you can. But if you don’t get in, you can always go to a community college and then apply again in a year.</p>

<p>I definitely think you have a good chance of getting into Smith.</p>

7

<p>Thanks. I was looking for more logistical advice, but that was comforting I guess.</p>