Upcoming Transfer Student from a California Community College

Transfer Students
1

This is a bit long so bear with me.

Hi everyone, I’m a California Community College student. I’m going on my third year at community college because I decided to spend some extra time working on my GPA as well as going for a second major (Comparative Literature). Originally, I was a Biology major hoping to go to medical school. I’m still a Biology major but as I mentioned, I’m taking up Comparative Literature as a second major. I’m applying for transfer to a myriad of schools, including all the UC’s as well as 2 CSU’s, Pomona College, and USC. I also am applying to out of state schools: Seattle U (maybe/maybe not), Baylor University, St. Johns University in New York and some reach schools that I honestly don’t feel like I’m qualified for but I’m applying anyways since I just want to take a chance.

Personally, I’m a little lost right now. I do love medicine and my current surroundings in Southern California but I just feel pretty empty. Going to UCLA/UCI is a dream but at the same time, I want a personalized education. I honestly don’t want to be a statistic in a sea of college students which is I feel like what it’ll be like at UCLA etc. Now, I don’t mean to sound like I’m bashing the UC’s, I’m not. I just feel like I need a sense of individualization which I may not get at a big university. In addition to my career fogginess, I feel a bit lost personally. I’ve been going through some personal up and downs. I have even confided in a professor of mine. It’s been tough since December 2017 and I even isolate myself from time to time… I’m tired of my surroundings as well as the expectations from my overbearing family.

So, with all my personal and educational ups and downs, I think I’ve decided that I’d like to do more with myself than just medicine. I’d like to major in something that isn’t science or at least, something I enjoy more than science.

I apologize for the extensive backstory but I feel like it attributes to the reason why I’m applying out of state. Here are my stats:

High School GPA (Weighted): 3.7
ACT Score: 31; English and Reading: 34, Science: 26, Math: 28
CCC GPA (UC Transferable Courses): 3.45
CCC GPA (All Courses): 3.35 (I feel like this GPA is so weak, It’s due to the C’s…I’ve gotten in 3 C’s (2 were Science classes over the summer, I know… death sentence to take a science class over the summer lol)
Credits Completed: 63.50; After this upcoming fall I’ll have total of 83.50 credits hopefully… if I don’t drop a class.

Over the course of time I’ve spent at the community college, I failed one class (I did it on purpose since I couldn’t get above a C) and I retook it and got a B (the failed grade shows up on my transcript but isn’t calculated into my GPA), I took a W in another class, and finally, I’ve gotten 3 C’s so far.

As for extracurricular, I’ve put them off since I wanted to focus my attention to class. I’ve volunteered at a local medical center as a musician. I played music for patients. I’ve been apart of the Honors Program at the college the entire time. I recently completed the program (I have a medal to show for it lol). Moreover, I recently became an Ambassador for the college as well as for the Honors Program within the college. I’ve made Dean’s List twice so far. I’m hoping to make it this fall since I’m taking classes I enjoy (with a final semester of organic chemistry; only extensively difficult class I’m taking).

The reason for this post is that should I take the chance to apply to certain schools like NYU Gallatin? I feel a little unworthy of applying to these schools honestly. I’m honestly looking for a more personalized experience. I want to get the best out of my experience at college and frankly, I’m tired of my surroundings. It’s a strange feeling to pinpoint but I guess I’m just looking for advice and guidance here. Criticism or comments are appreciated here… I don’t take offense.

2

Are you still pre-med? If so, you may want to re-evaluate that, since your college GPA is low by pre-med standards, and medical school GPA recalculation does not drop failed grades upon repeating.

3

I know my GPA isn’t 3.9 etc but when the failed grade was calculated into my GPA it was over a 3.0 so even with the grade… I’m above a 3.0. I know a 3.0 isn’t a 4.0 but I’ve never dropped to 2.0 etc

4

@ucbalumnus

5

@ucbalumnus But I am re-evalutaing my career though I don’t remember if I mentioned that but it is into consideration

6

You probably want a 3.7 college GPA to have a reasonable chance of medical school admission.
https://www.aamc.org/download/321508/data/factstablea23.pdf
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-topics/2058785-confessions-of-a-med-school-app-reader.html

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@ucbalumnus I’m aware of that fact. I’ve always looked into everything hence me being unsure if I would even make it. I’m taking a lot of classes (mainly things I enjoy) to boost my GPA. In addition, after I transfer to lets say a UC my GPA resets. Of course, I know my GPA isn’t just going to disappear yes but it may give me the chance to raise my overall GPA. Right now, I am worried about medical school, do not get me wrong. However, I’m also worried about transfer first and foremost since that’s the thing that’s about to happen for me… I understand I need to raise my GPA I’m not saying that I don’t need to and personally I really want to but I have a good chunk of time ahead of me to do that. I know a failed grade isn’t the best thing to have on a transcript (despite me doing it on purpose) but I do have an ample amount of time to raise my grades. I’m not trying to devalue the importance of it but in general, I would like a 3.7+ anyways, medical or not. It’s just right now, I’m a bit worried for transfer

8

@ucbalumnus However, I am always looking at the stats keeping track etc so I do appreciate your insight. My last comment may have not sounded that way I apologize but I just feel like I need to worry about one thing at a time. I have the desire to do medicine, I do but like you’re pointing out my gpa is low for pre-med and I don’t argue with that at all. So, I still will follow the track and finish my pre-med classes but I’m also doubling in English/literature as well as thinking of applying for internships in both fields. I’m weighing my options, I know time and money. Right now, I have a good thing where I’m not required to pay for classes so I’m able to take a lot as well. All in all, I do take your comments into consideration and it may seem like I’m trying to act naive about this (I’m not I promise) but really you don’t know how much I worry about my GPA. Practically all I do is study nowadays

9

What’s your financial situation? NYU is super-expensive and notoriously stingy with need-based aid. It’s hard to know what schools to suggest without knowing whether you are a) not price-sensitive at all or b) looking for generous need-based aid or c) looking for an affordable “sticker price” or d) looking for merit money, which is rare for transfer students.

Are you thinking about other paths in the medical field, besides an MD? I think that if I were in your situation, I might be particularly interested in transfer schools that have PA programs and give priority admission to their own undergrads. Chapman would be an example in California. (see info under “CU B.S. Bridge” here https://www.chapman.edu/crean/academic-programs/graduate-programs/physician-assistant/admission.aspx ) This would open up the potential to put down roots and spend four years at the same school, and come out with a professional degree. The opportunities for PA’s are terrific these days - I have met a number of MD’s who have said that they’d go the PA route if they had it to do over again. So many PA jobs look like what MD jobs used to be, and MD’s wish they still were.

If you’re looking at NYU-level schools on the east coast, Northeastern has a high transfer acceptance rate and a fantastic PA program. Baylor, that you already mentioned, has one too. And many more: http://directory.paeaonline.org/

(And of course you can study English/literature as well; but it sounds like you definitely want to keep your medical-field options open.)

If you get onto a pre-PA track and then, in 2-3 years, find that you’ve done well enough GPA-wise and on the MCAT to apply to med schools, you certainly still can - I’m definitely not suggesting burning any bridges. (And as you can see in the Chapman info, you’ll need ~3.6 in the science prereqs even for PA school, so it’s not like that path is a walk in the park either.)

Just where my thoughts go, looking at your situation.

10

@ucbalumnus I’m aware of that fact. I’ve always looked into everything hence me being unsure if I would even make it. I’m taking a lot of classes (mainly things I enjoy) to boost my GPA. In addition, after I transfer to lets say a UC my GPA resets. Of course, I know my GPA isn’t just going to disappear yes but it may give me the chance to raise my overall GPA. Right now, I am worried about medical school, do not get me wrong. However, I’m also worried about transfer first and foremost since that’s the thing that’s about to happen for me… I understand I need to raise my GPA I’m not saying that I don’t need to and personally I really want to but I have a good chunk of time ahead of me to do that. I know a failed grade isn’t the best thing to have on a transcript (despite me doing it on purpose ■■■■■) but I do have an ample amount of time to raise my grades. I’m not trying to devalue the importance of it but in general, I would like a 3.7+ anyways, medical or not. It’s just right now, I’m a bit more worried for transfer and I have familial issues as well so I’d rather move on myself if possible and figure out what I’m going to do.

11

@aquapt I apologize I didn’t see your comment until now. I’m between a) and b). I can cover the costs but some aid would be helpful. I know NYU is definitely stingy with it’s aid so obviously it isn’t my first priority when it comes to applying to transfer and the chances of me getting admitted well… I don’t know what will happen…

I don’t know if I mentioned this in my original post but I’m just looking at OOS schools in general because my familial situation is somewhat unbearable. Obviously, that doesn’t put me in a good spot financially but like I said, first priority is UC’s. California is a big state and I know I’ll probably be able to get away, just personally, I’m looking to get away farther (being up north or south in-state wouldn’t allow me to break away anyhow). It sounds naive and childish, I know. But I just rather detach myself from the situation. (Also, I’m originally from IL so I’d rather not go back to my extended family either)

As for transfer, I also mentioned I’m looking into liberal arts schools oos and in California. I feel like being at a liberal arts college or maybe an all women’s arts college, it’ll help me feel a sense of personalization which is honestly what I am looking for.

I never looked into PA schools or the track itself. However, I appreciate your suggestion here and I will definitely take it into consideration and research to see if it’s something I’d like to do myself.

I’m at my wits end really. I really just need a different environment. It’s draining to me to be here. I won’t be making any hasty decisions of course but I just am unsure how long I can take being in the environment I am in now you know. Of course, everything has to be looked at carefully.

12

Have you looked at the out of state schools on the WUE exchange?

Possibly the most affordable “artsy” college you could transfer to would be Southern Oregon U in Ashland. (It’s only about 15 miles beyond the CA border, but still pretty far from any of the major CA cities.) It’s a smaller, residential public university with around 5K undergrads, particularly strong in the arts. (Lots of theater - Ashland is the home of the OR Shakespeare Festival.) The campus has a private-LAC feel. Transfers can get the WUE rate, which puts the COA at under $27K/year - less than a UC. This would be both an admissions and a financial safety for you, and they accept applications on a rolling basis year-round (which is to say they’re on quarters, and take new transfers in any quarter). They have preprofessional advising for a variety of fields including medicine http://catalog.sou.edu/content.php?catoid=2&navoid=142 and an English department with a choice of concentrations http://catalog.sou.edu/content.php?catoid=2&navoid=131

There are many other options on the WUE exchange; you can search them here, and check the box to show only schools that give the WUE rate to transfers. If you want to be in a city, you could attend a WUE university in Albuquerque, Portland, Reno, Las Vegas, Denver… and all of these will be at 150% of their in-state tuition rate or less, which is to say, generally cheaper than going to UC in-state. http://wue.wiche.edu/search1.jsp

I’m not saying that you can’t necessarily get into private colleges that are more competitive than some of the WUE schools… but merit aid for transfers is hard to come by, even with perfect stats. If I’m hearing you correctly, it sounds as if getting established in a good location and a healthy environment, with a good education at a reasonable price (and perhaps sooner rather than later), may be a higher priority than chasing maximum prestige at this stage of your education. These will, at the very least, make excellent financial safeties for you as you explore other options.