Hey guys! So happy to see this thread going. Chance me if you’re up for it? I’m very nervous about my GPA and my low amount of “in class” credit. I was only able to take 2 classes per semester my first year due to financial aid.
Applying to: CAS, Third-year transfer
From: NOVA CC, with A.A. Liberal Arts degree
Overall GPA: 3.88 GPA or 3.72 GPA (depending on one class grade I’m nervous about this semester)
Dean’s List 3x
49 credits at time of application (34 transferable to UVA)
66 credits at time of graduation (50 transferable to UVA)
All transfer course requirements on the CAS transfer site met.
Language requirement met with SAT Subject Test.
All A’s, one B so far – possibly one more B this semester.
5 years working full-time in my desired UVA major area
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society
National student leader
NOVA CC has been super helpful and awarded me 16 credits for language (earned via CLEP test; won’t transfer to UVA), and an additional 9 credits (earned via CLEP tests in Sociology, Interpreting Literature, and US History; all 9 WILL transfer to UVA, as per CAS’ standing credit policy :D). Plus 25 credits I’ve taken in-classroom.
Re-Posting because a LOT has changed and I am now much better suited to be a competitive applicant. Let me know if you guys think i’ve got a better shot now
Background:
-Coming from NVCC System
-Male, Asian
-54 Credits
-Applying to CAS Econ
Stats:
-GPA: 3.5 (3.45/4.00) super strong upward trend, got a D and 2 C’s in high school DE classes, which is why it’s so low. Dean’s list every semester since graduating HS. (I retook the D and got an A, but both grades are included in my GPA)
-Dean’s List x4 semesters
-Presidential Scholar
Letters of Recommendation:
-Dean of Economics
-Dean of Accounting
-Former VP of Chamber of Commerce, currently my professor
EC’s/Accomplishments:
-President of Finance related club
-President of diversity related club
-Member of stock market club
-Volunteered to feed homeless that needed meals
-Studied abroad in London - studied Financial Markets
-Bloomberg Market Concepts Certification (Currencies, Equities, Economic Indicators, Fixed Income)
Relevant Work:
-Bloomberg Financial Analytics Summer Internship - London UK while studying abroad
-Machine learning technology part time developer: not relevant to econ/finance but is a very interesting and challenging job that I talk about in my personal statement
@Swahilli Solid SAT score. Keep the 4.0 and try to get more involved. They don’t want JUST great scores! Also; I don’t recommend taking 21 credits. That’s actually so much that they will wonder why you took so many. If you want to demonstrate the ability to take a heavy course load, 18 credits will be perfectly fine. That being said - if you’re confident you can take 21 CR and keep the 4.0 by all means go for it!
Demonstrate some interest in your future career goals by joining a club or something - volunteering will also round your app very well. Since you’re applying for sophomore transfer you have two shots and that’s awesome! Keep it up & worst case scenario you are a shoe-in for Junior transfer.
@Swahilli Keep in mind that your HS grades are gonna matter a little extra since you’re a sophomore transfer, but even with a lower GPA, paired with a college 4.0, they seem good to me! From my research, I’ve seen similar second-year CAS applicants get in. To echo msport, you’ll want to add in some EC’s and reeeally focus on those essays. UVA constantly stresses that they want to see personality in your essays. I would also recommend taking a CLEP exam or two that will transfer into CAS. These will add credits to your transcript without you having to take massive overloads, if you’re just trying to rake up extra creds. Here’s the list of accepted CLEPs: http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/content.php?catoid=43&navoid=3014#adva_exam
Also, if you’re able to make it, seriously consider going down to UVA for the transfer open house on November 17! It’s the one yearly event they hold specifically for transfers. There’s a tour, an info session with your specific college, and advice from past transfers. Here’s the registration link: https://virginia.askadmissions.net/Portal/EI/ViewDetails?gid=623577ec714e503f1243d7a746de8931581e20
If they happen to run out of space, I reserved one “guest” under my registration for a friend, but she’s not applying and I’d be more than willing to give that to someone who couldn’t register in time. Just PM me.
P.S. I’m taking two 8 week classes early next semester and I want UVA to see my new and improved GPA because I know those will be ‘A’ classes, but they end March 8 and the deadline is March 1. Should I just resend my transcripts once those classes are factored into my GPA? @msport@dukesilverissaxy , I’ve seen you guys around a lot – care to chime in on this?
I’m taking 4 8 week classes next semester also and I’m doing that so UVA can see more course work when they decide for admissions. I have 5 classes and am actually taking 15* credits this semester. I’m taking 22 credits next semester and I’m taking 4 of those week classes so they can see 9 of my final grades. That would be 27 credits of classes already done by the time they view my application for a decision, and then I’m also planning on sending midterm report for the rest. I think it’s a good idea for you to send your transcript once your grades are updated.
Thanks for the encouragement! I’m stressing about the essay because it’s so short haha - i’m struggling w/ getting enough personality in while also answering the question properly.
Regarding your 8 week classes, I think you should email UVA because those kinds of things are very case by case, and i’m not sure how strict UVA will be about that transcript deadline.
Lastly, I wouldn’t really stress too much about it. You can send in your midterm report and it will have your final grade from the first 8 weeks course included - so they will see it regardless. And your stats are amazing, the high GPA puts you in a very good position as the average accepted transfer gpa is 3.5 - I almost want to call you a shoe-in transfer!
Are you seeing any essays other than the “how does your course of study fit in with your possible career plan,” or something like that? All I saw on my common app was that specific essay for the college, and the personal statement. Are we not required to do the “what work of art, literature or music has unsettled, challenged or surprised you and in what way” essay?
Here are my stats:
Current GPA: 3.33 (hoping to improve once Fall classes are finished)
Apply for College of Arts and Sciences // Neuroscience major
EC:
VP of a club
Part time assistant teacher at pre-K school
Right now I’m not doing guaranteed admissions because of foreign language requirement, however, if I decide to take summer classes to finish off the required courses for my major, would it affect my chances of getting in?
@b_wahoo do you speak a second language? If you do, deeeefinitely take the SAT II exam for that language! It will fulfill your language requirement for UVA and will satisfy the guaranteed admission agreement. Right now, you wouldn’t qualify for guaranteed admission because of the GPA and language. Additionally, you may or may not have all of the transfer requirements (which must be completed for GAA, and are recommended to be mostly completed for regular applicants).
Right now, I would focus super hard on getting straight A’s this semester. If you think you can handle the time constraint, I’d even take 1 more class in the VCCS first 8-week session, just to add to your GPA before transcripts go out.
Hey @NOVAtransfer just a heads up and FYI. Your first 8 week course grade is not added to your gpa until the entire semester is completed. Meaning if you’re taking an 8 week course just to boost your GPA - don’t. It will not boost your GPA until the end of the spring semester in may - and by then you will already have your decision
Ex: I took 3, first 5 week classes at nova over the past summer. My final GRADES were on my transcript immediately, but my GPA did not change until the absolute end of the summer semester, 7 weeks later…
GPA doesn’t exactly matter. The point of the 8 week first session classes is so colleges can see your grades for that course when they’re making the decision. The grades not factoring into your GPA isn’t a big deal because they would see an A in the classes. Although, I see where you’re coming from also. It might be a problem in his case since his GPA is not 3.4 yet.
Also according to an advisor, an 8 week class can help colleges see more course work when they’re making their decision. Although it doesn’t factor into your GPA, colleges will for sure notice exceptional grades. So bottom line is that b_wahoo should take 8 week classes and try to get A’s and maybe be eligible for a 3.4 transfer.
@msport@Swahilli Thanks for the heads up, guys! I saw the updated GPA for Fall 2017 8-week classes on my unofficial transcript the day my grades were updated, so I assumed universities would see an updated GPA as well. Either way, never hurts to show more coursework!
