<p>Some background:</p>
<p>I am a 21 years old and am technically a 1st year student attending a community college. I say 'technically' because I've elected to not transfer the 39 credits I had earned from the four year university I attended straight out from high school. Because of some extrinsic and intrinsic factors that negatively affected my ability to due well in school, I dropped out of college and took a year off. Since, I've started another college curricular-registering for 30 credits at Northern Virginia Community College this spring- trying to make an impressionable resume in a hurried attempt to make the March application deadline. I'm only retaking 4 courses, but the classes here are incredibly easy. Halfway through the 1st semester block (I'm taking 8 FULL classes in 8 week increments and 2 courses regularly as a 16 week session) I have grades that suggest a 4.0 GPA for the grades I'll submit by March. By semesters end, I can safely say that I can land a GPA somewhere between 3.6 and 3.8.</p>
<p>Dilemma:</p>
<p>Given my prospective GPA and past transcripts, which portray a less than average student, what schools should I apply to? (ball park estimate). Will schools seriously consider an application with, at first, 12 credits and a poor academic history? Should I send a written explanation for my recent success? or should I wait for the interview? </p>
<p>The thing is, its been a VERY long time since I've shown academic affluence, and classes here at c.c are so easy I feel that my perspective is becoming skewed. I'm lost in determining my place amongst other applicants, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>PS- I plan on majoring in Economics. I first attended Hofstra University. I am a first generation hispanic. As of now, the schools I plan to apply to are Georgetown, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Brown, and George Mason as a safety.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>First and foremost, you can not “elect” to not transfer credits. When you apply to a 4-year university, you must send them your transcripts from all colleges that you have attended. Failure to do so can result in expulsion from the school or the rescission of your degree if they find out after you have graduated. </p>
<p>Some colleges require that you complete at least one year of college course work before transferring. Assuming that you provide both transcripts to your prospective colleges, you would have fulfilled this requirement. At most schools, it is easier to transfer as a second year student. Those that transfer in their first year are usually very competitive. </p>
<p>There should be an additional information section on the application where you may explain your situation and your grades. Keep in mind that your high school transcript will also be considered when transferring. The weighting of your high school transcript differs depending on the school. UVA, VT, and GMU do not offer interviews.</p>
<p>If you don’t mind paying the application fees, I suggest applying to all of your choices. There is no harm in trying.</p>
<p>Take a copy of those ugly old records of yours, and the information that you have to date from your current classes, and go pay a visit to the Transfer Counselor at your branch of NOVA. [Contact</a> your Campus Transfer Counselor for Assistance :: Northern Virginia Community College](<a href=“http://www.nvcc.edu/current-students/transfer/contact/index.html]Contact”>http://www.nvcc.edu/current-students/transfer/contact/index.html) They are expert at helping NOVA students find good places to transfer to, and they will be able to advise you on your applications. They deal with ugly academic histories like yours all the time. </p>
<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>
<p>I dont know any cc that allows a student to take 30 units. I dont even think its legal nor would it impress anyone. A person claiming they could ace that many units is either a genius or idiot. If is genius level then why not test out of all the classes. Doesnt make any sense to attend class if that smart.</p>
<p>Sent from my LG-VM701 using CC</p>
<p>@iridetheshortbus-I have taken 25 credits for the past 3 semesters of anything but a few easy classes. Honestly every admissions counselor has been surprised and congratulated me on being able to pull above a 3.9 for both semesters and juggle my day to day life as I have two kids and work in addition to school. I can say that my large course load and success has aided me in getting accepted into a couple schools that I doubt I would have. Also 30 credits would only be 8 or 9 classes, and it does not take a genius to get A’s, all it takes is an average student with great time management skills and willingness to learn.</p>