im entering freshman year of community with approximately 30 credits, so 2 full time semesters would put me around when most community college students transfer to a 4 year. my target is top50, but since i would be applying after only one year, my high school transcript is probably going to be weighed in addition to my college transcript. unfortunately, i did very poorly in high school (bad enough to disqualify me from any top50). i also had very few ECS. what can i do to make myself more competitive with only having a year of college under my belt? im considering taking the SAT, but what else can i do?
I would work with the transfer advisor at your CC and come up with a list of four year colleges to apply to. You will need reach, match, and safety school that appear affordable, that you would be happy to attend, and that fit your academic profile.
I would not bother to take the SAT now. The SAT is regarded as an exam for high school students.
If there are from AP or IB credit, be aware that when you apply to transfer to another college, the AP or IB credit will be counted (both in credit units and subject credit) based on the policy of the college you apply to, not the college you are currently at.
If the OP already has 30 credits (which was stated in the first post) then he/she should apply after one year of CC. Colleges typically want students to attend their institution for at least 2 years before they will grant a degree.
True, but that’s assuming all credits will transfer. Will cc credits obtained in HS be viewed the same as those taken post HS? And if the HS stats are that poor it would be worth considering waiting that extra year to improve chances for better schools. Definitely second discussing options with the transfer counselor.
id definitely be fine with doing another year, but im worried that if i stretch out 30 credits between 4 semesters then it’ll make my courseload appear less rigorous, as i dont even think 30 credits between 4 semesters constitutes a full time student
everything is in state and local, and its also partly from dual-enrollment during hs. im not too worried about that yet, as im more looking to finish an associates at my current cc and then transfer. im definitely not expecting every credit to transfer and id almost certainly be bumped back a year. my target college is stem-focused, and im currently pursuing a compsci/software engineering degree in CC.
Why top 50? You need to find a school that accepts you as you are. There will be four year colleges where you can transfer even with lower high school grades.
Spend some time looking for realistic options for you transfer applications.
Would any of your target colleges have any policy against admitting a junior transfer with significantly more than 60 credits of lower level courses? If not, then you can take two years of full course loads to ensure that you complete all lower level subject requirements that are possible before transferring.
i havent seen a credit ceiling yet, but most state at most two years. that would be an option, but im not sure what classes i would even take beyond an associates, i suppose thats an option id have to discuss with an advisor.
my target school notes that a high school transcript is not required for applying once two years have passed since graduation, so perhaps i could hail mary apply after i complete my first year (and associates), and if i dont get in i can take that option and reapply again next year.
If you apply to a college and don’t get accepted…your likelihood of being accepted the following year is not very high, in my opinion.
You need to discuss your transfer plans with the transfer advisor at your community college. They will help you craft a realistic list of colleges to apply to…and will be able to advise you when to apply.
Your target four year schools probably have varying degree requirements, including both major and general education requirements. You could take additional courses that maximize coverage of lower level requirements across all of your target four year schools, so that you will not have to “catch up” as much on lower level courses after transfer.
You don’t need to go to a top 50 college to get this degree. Many many many colleges have this program. Your issue is…it’s a competitive major admit at many schools…and even moreso at the top 50 schools.
You need to look for programs where you can gain acceptance.
Also…what is your “lower” GPA? And do you have an ACT or SAT score? If not, why not?