I am a sophomore cadet at a military service academy seeking the possibility of transferring. I currently have a 2.1 cumulative gpa. I know this gpa is extremely low but balancing being a D1 athlete, cadet, as well as the rigorous curriculum has proved extremely challenging. do other universities consider these factors when reviewing a transfer application? if so is there any bonus or added point(s) to my gpa considering the circumstances?
If you are still recruitable for your sport, you should be speaking with coaches. They sometimes have considerable sway in the admission office.
Transferring with a 2.1 is not impossible, but it is very challenging. You will need to be able to convince the admission office that you will begin to perform better once you are at the new place. Take a look at your transcript. Look for patterns in your grades. Are most of them pretty close to 2.1? Do you have a bunch of 4.0 and another bunch of 0.0? Are those 4.0 grades in one particular subject and the 0.0 in another? Or are your grades all over the map?
After looking at my transcript it shows that I have done much better in history/English/language oriented classes, earning mostly B+/B in those classes. However, in more technical classes I have received primarily C/D grades in calculus/chemistry/engineering etc. Will this matter? If so, what does it reveal about my chances of transferring?
Also factored in is which military academy. If USMA–West Point, USAFA–Colorado Springs or USNA–Annapolis, then many schools are likely to give your transfer application very serious consideration. Actually, I guess that those are the only D1 military schools as The Citadel may not be D1.
If all of your grades were very close to 2.1, that would more likely say something about you not studying or not really being ready for college or the like. Good grades in history/English/language, and bad grades in calculus/chemistry/engineering indicate that you probably shouldn’t be an engineering major. That’s OK. On your transfer applications, you can state that you are looking for a place where you can focus on a major in history/English/language/other humanities subject, and that you know from previous classwork that you can do well in that major.
This information has been incredibly helpful. Thank you. Please continue to share any information which may be helpful or related to my situation. As I am trying to learn as much as possible about my future options.
You will be fine. There are many colleges available for you. Tell your story truthfully and be honest with what is a good fit going forward. Let people know about the Academy environment if that contributed to your GPA, and the reason you are leaving, etc. Above all else, tell your story in a honest and positive manner.
Have you considered dropping your sport and sticking out the next two years? Many service academy athletes do just that when they realize that their academics are suffering. Junior/senior year you’ll be spending more time in your major classes and will have a better chance of bumping up your GPA when you’re studying subjects you enjoy and are strong in.
Or are you leaving because you no longer see the military as a good fit?