Transferring out of McGill with awful grades...

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hey all! I dropped out of school due to health issues and am now reapplying to get back into college this year as a junior. Here are my stats.</p>

<p>Applying to: Vassar, Barnard, Wellesley, Mount Holyoke (accepted after HS with $30,000 scholarship), Smith, Bryn Mawr, GWU Elliott School, Wesleyan, Hamilton, BU</p>

<p>HS:
Graduated with IB diploma, total score: 36 (4 HLs)
Took most rigorous course load offered
Top 10% of class
Cum. GPA: 3.75
SATs: 2010
SAT French: 800
SAT Spanish: 710
ECs: Very so-so, no leadership positions</p>

<p>Undergrad: McGill University, Faculty of Arts
Entered as sophomore with IB credits
Major: East Asian Studies
Cum. GPA: 1.62 (yes, you read that right!)
ECs: Sexual Assault Centre of McGill Students' Society support group facilitator.</p>

<p>During my two years off:
Harvard Extension School:
Cum. GPA: 3.7, projected to either remain at 3.7 or increase to 3.8 after this semester</p>

<p>Some hooks:
- Traveled to Beijing on language exchange for six weeks at Peking University
- Excellent speaking skills (and yes, I will be interviewing at all the colleges that will let me)</p>

<p>In my essay, I talk about the emotional challenges I faced entering university as a 17-year-old in sophomore year. I focus on describing my passion for East Asian Studies, and my background as a multicultural person (I was born in Hong Kong to a Filipina mom and American dad, and I spent my younger years living in Tokyo and Singapore while attending French school). I explain the depression (due to a traumatic event in the end of high school) I experienced at McGill which jeopardized my ability to succeed, and how I have since recovered. In all honesty, my essay is the strongest part of my application.</p>

<p>Also, when applying to some of the women's colleges, I feel more comfortable explaining in a separate letter the particular circumstances surrounding my depression - namely sexual assault, and how my experiences have drawn me to advocate for women who have gone through similar experiences (see work with my university's sexual assault center).</p>

<p>Being honest, do I have any chance at all of being accepted to one of these schools? Please feel free to suggest other schools I might be able to apply to. Thanks</p>

2

<p>700 views and still no reply? Any comments would be greatly appreciated, really!</p>

3

<p>Well since you have extenuating circumstances, I wouldn’t say your chances are zero, especially because of the magnitude of what happened. What would be great is for you to highlight how you returning to university is a triumph in itself of recovery from what happened to you.</p>

<p>I am sure women’s colleges like Barnard would be inspired by such a tale and give that a lot of weight.</p>

<p>I really have no idea what Harvard extension school is, or if colleges equate the rigor of that program to that of a four year uni or two year community college. However, the grades seem legit and your high school record shows you have potential and talent.</p>

<p>All in all, your essay is going to make or break you. The GPA you had is atrocious, but there is legitimate reason behind that, it wasn’t just a case of ineptness or laziness. Sell you story, convince them you have only become stronger, and win their favor. I like your chances with all that said.</p>

<p>On a side note: I think you are extremely brave sharing such a story and any university would be privileged to have someone like you.</p>

4

<p>I don’t think you’re allowed to transfer with a 1.62 GPA, and it’s kind of a joke that you’re trying to transfer to top US colleges with that GPA. Anyone can get into Harvard extension school, and that GPA likely doesn’t hold too much weight. You could be taking a class or two in your spare time. </p>

<p>Why don’t you just apply to some non competitive colleges?</p>

5

<p>@Schneizal, thank you for your thoughtful and insightful input. I will make sure to capitalize those aspects in my essay, and especially hope to meet with admissions officers at every school that will allow me to speak with them. I have already forged ctronger connections with admissions officers at both Bryn Mawr and Barnard, though I remain completely uncertain how that will ultimately affect my application. I agree that my chances seem remarkably slim, but I will give these applications everything that I have! Thank you again!</p>

<p>@econ981, I have successfully been approved for transfer from McGill, so my GPA, though abysmal, will not keep me from applying. I agree with you that it seems almost laughable that I am applying only to top schools, but I shoot high and I know that, given the chance, I will succeed at these schools. I only hope that I am able to convey that to the admissions officers in charge of my file. I am currently enrolled in a full course load at HES, and am sure that that will me demonstrated on my transcripts. As for non-competitive colleges, do you have any suggestions? Thank you for your insightful and constructive comment!</p>

6

<p>When I read your post at first, I missed the fact that you were sexually assaulted so I felt really bad, but it wouldn’t let me delete what I wrote.</p>

<p>However, I don’t know if your story, while tragic, will save you from your GPA at McGill. I think you have a solid excuse for the 1.62, and I wish you all the best. Merry Christmas and good luck!</p>

7

<p>I would not say “good luck” because you will not need a LUCK ! You need a MIRACLE !!!</p>

<p>First, I am very sorry that you had very bad personal experience BUT it does not mean that it will jeopardize your whole GPA ! </p>

<p>In here, you are under the academic prohibition. You CANNOT transfer to schools like VASSAR (which is amazing school !) or GWU with 1.62 GPA…Story is very important. It can take you beyond of your college dreams but definitely not with your 1.62 GPA !</p>

<p>Sorry my comment is quite negative but unfortunately, it is true !!!</p>

8

<p>Is there anyway you could just reapply as a freshman to those schools and avoid “transferring”? That way you could just use your high school grades and achievements. To be honest, I think that even though you have a low GPA, you have a small chance due to your circumstances. Bigger colleges might flat out reject you because all they care about are numbers, but if you interview well admissions offices could look past that and give you a chance. Stay positive and keep working at it, things will open up for you if you persevere.</p>

9

<p>with a 1.62 GPA and like the other post said that Harvard extension accepts anyone with a pulse and pay check. I think it is dumb to apply to top colleges with a 1.62 GPA when other kids who are going to be applying are going to have a stellar essay as well with a 3.9 GPA. But if there is a will there might be a way! Good luck!</p>