<p>Hi. I'm looking to apply as a transfer to Emory. I'm concerned, though, because my college GPA is relatively low; it is currently a 3.0 - barely sliding by... However, I was previously accepted to Emory and am currently a freshman at a top LAC where grades are unfortunately deflated. I am concerned because my high school stats are pretty strong, but my college GPA is so low. Any insights into my situation here? Is my college GPA too low? Will the fact that I was previously accepted help in anyway? Will the prestige of my current school count for anything or will they account the fact that grade are deflated?</p>
<p>I'd appreciate any comments regarding my specific situation, Emory's transfer policies, general transferring to Emory tips, financial aid for transfers (finaid is a BIG factor for me), etc.</p>
<p>Also, one question - I read Emory releases transfer admissions on a rolling basis. First of all, is this true, and second, does this mean that they will read applications turned in earlier first and accept as they go (so sorta like first come, first serve provided they qualify?)?</p>
<p>Thank so much.</p>
<p>Never describe your grades as being “deflated”.Just because every other school has inflation, doesn’t mean your school is deflated (unless it is Reed or Princeton, which literally has a grade deflation policy). You may have less inflation, or perhaps your major/course studies are the normal ones not subject to inflation. Even students in areas like the sciences at the inflated research universities (including us) claim that their grades are deflated, but it is not but so true in reality. Swarthmore has it and there students claim that “would have been an A elsewhere”, but the grad. gpa is a 3.5+. Many of the courses are just plain hard, so that not too many “earn” an A, but grades in the B range are more accessible. And normally grades in such courses are curved up or not at all. Not even Georgia Tech can claim deflation. They can claim low inflation however.
Either way, I’m sure being from a somewhat prestigious and rigorous institution helps. And Emory supposedly targets transfers, so even w/a 3.0, you still have a chance. Also, hopefully you took what will generally be regarded as a rigorous load. That should help too. Being previously accepted helps a little at many institutions from what I hear. Not sure about Emory. Don’t know about rolling admissions. Financial aid was good enough for my roommate last year to transfer from Northwestern, so hopefully it’ll be good for you if admitted. If you come, don’t hope to benefit from the grade inflation if you are in the sciences. It really only happens to bio majors. If you take classes outside of that, they’ll still be hard, curve or no curve.</p>
<p>Any other inputs? </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Many of the transfers I know like it just fine. Obviously the OP is dissatisfied with their university to the point that they want to transfer. I know others from LACs, they adjust well from my observation (though they don’t typically perform that much better as they were expecting to given the so called grade deflation at LACs). However that is a big decision. I imagine one could really benefit from the really solid teaching and smaller environment. If you are transferring b/c of your grades/looking for a more supportive environment…I would perhaps agree w/citylife. The difference isn’t worth it. Grades at Emory are lower than most LACs anyway (though perhaps not significantly)</p>
<p>Which LAC do you go to? My sister goes to Bates and the grading there is tough, but a 3.0 still isn’t great. What is the average GPA for your class?</p>
<p>I actually revise my statement. I can’t say for sure that top LACs have true grade inflation. The sizes of the courses and student-teacher interaction can make a HUGE difference in success even if the standards are high and the grading is tough. Better teaching and more interaction/collaboration in a much smaller environment can certainly improve outcome. It would probably suck to fall behind at a place like Swarthmore for example. Sure it’s probably really hard, but if the average is like a 3.5, and you fall behind, it indicates that everyone else did what they needed to in a tough environment which you did not. Research universities on the other hand, it’s often the softa** grading curves.</p>