<p>I have some questions regarding my younger brother's situation and would appreciate any help/insight. (PS - if there is a better forum to post this, please feel free to move it. thanks!)</p>
<p>My brother is currently a freshman at _____ School (I would like to omit specific names -- it is a respectable school but not top-tier). He has a Guaranteed Transfer letter from Cornell's ILR school. He originally planned to transfer to ILR in 1.5 years, aiming to fulfill the course requirements , GPA requirement of 3.3 and all grades above B, etc. </p>
<p>After one semester at _____ School, his GPA was 3.2 (he received one C), and so his GT is gone. At this point, </p>
<p>(1)what are his chances of being accepted to ILR? He was told that he will be put into the pool of transfer applicants, but will the school consider his former GT status , giving him a slightly better chance than the others? Or does it not matter at all now? </p>
<p>(2)What if he submits a transfer application to ILR before the 1.5 years are up (say, after 1 year at _____ School)? is this possible, and if it is, would it not be a better option since he will have a chance to update his personal essays, recommendations and extracurriculars, etc.?</p>
<p>I apologize for the long post, and thanks for reading.</p>
<p>"what are his chances of being accepted to ILR?"
Not very good, I hate to say. </p>
<p>"He was told that he will be put into the pool of transfer applicants, but will the school consider his former GT status , giving him a slightly better chance than the others?"
No, especially with a 3.2. The average GPA of successful transfer applicants is much higher. </p>
<p>"(2)What if he submits a transfer application to ILR before the 1.5 years are up"
Wouldn't help. The biggest thing to update would be the GPA.</p>
<p>Gomestar, I'm not intending to exacerbate the situation, but as a GT, I'd like to know why you think his chances are "not very good". Is it because of the 3.2 (and not the 3.3+), the "C", or both? If he satisfied the GPA requirement but still received the "C", would his odds have increased any more favorably? From what I've gathered over the few months here on CC, it seems meeting 3.3+ is a must.</p>
<p>I've just read over the GT requirements, and it says that "...will be considered along with other applicants who are applying as transfer students... outcome cannot be guaranteed." However, given he was a GT candidate, regardless of a 3.2/"C" (or both), would being a GT be a favorable factor? I'm sure midterm grades would be taken into consideration as well?</p>
<p>td410, regardless, good look with your brother's GT shot.</p>
<p>@fd36: His current school is not a top-tier school, although it is not a big issue. The only reason I mentioned it is that compared to his current school, I think ILR will be an improvement in academic experience and prospects after graduation. But it's only my guess, and my brother has his own reasons for wanting to go. In the end though, the most important thing is that my brother is happy where he is.</p>
<p>@gomestar: Thanks for your answers. My brother was planning on submitting a transfer application so that he may be considered for the Fall 2008 semester (instead of Spring 2009). Will doing this be completely useless?</p>
<p>Anything he can do (besides working harder on his GPA) to improve his chances?</p>
<p>The answers were a little disheartening, but what can you do... It's a big concern also because the current school's tuition is extremely expensive, and he entered it expecting to attend for only 1.5 years. (this probably was not a wise move from the start - but he opted to go there instead of a state school because of the "prestige" -- long story)</p>
<p>We are also planning to talk with a counselor from Cornell about our concerns. But already some things have cleared up. Thank you both! :)</p>
<p>A 3.7 GPA with a C on the transcript isn't really much to worry about. You'd need an explanation of sorts for the C, but a 3.7 would make you quite competitive anyways. </p>
<p>A 3.2 with a C not only eliminates the GT option, but it puts you in the back of the pack of applicants GPA wise. I lived with a bunch of ILR transfer, and from what I remember, the only ones who had below a 3.5</p>
<p>Getting a C may eliminate the GT option, but a very high GPA can get you in.</p>
<p>@diehldun: missed your post. I am trying everything I can to help my brother, as he really wants to go, and I think it will make him very happy. I would also like answers to the questions you asked, thanks for bringing them up. And thank you for the encouragement. :)</p>
<p>td410, no problem! I certainly know what he's going through, and I really wish him the best. The fact that the countdown clock is now ticking only adds to the anxiety. </p>
<p>Well (Gomestar), I certainly passed the GT GPA requirement, although I got a C+ in one course (in hindsight, I am SO mad because ILR didn't even require it, and I didn't have to take it this year at my current school). I am hoping a nicely written letter explaining the grade, the "reputation" (if you will) of my current school, and being in very close and constant contact with Cornell/GT counselor will carry some weight (in regards to a "very high GPA", it was somewhat difficult to get a C+ and a 3.70, but I'm relatively pleased with mine: I only hope it's strong enough to compensate, particularly in light of the general transfer pool). Fortunately, midterms have been very good so far; I hope that will help.</p>
<p>I heard for CALS all one needs is a 3.0 Cum. for the GT to be in effect. I don't remember reading anywhere that a C would negate the GT. Is this true?</p>