Want to apply to a university, but afraid old transcripts might hinder... plz help

Transfer Students
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<p>I slacked off in high school, then attended the local community college in the fall of 2004 and stopped going after about a month. Needless to say, I got all F's for that semester. Upon entering the working world, I kept trying to go back to school but could never stay focused because of my long working hours, resulting in another F in the fall of '07. I ended up with a cumulative GPA of 0.875, with only 6 out of 24 credits attempted earned.</p>

<p>Last fall, I decided to quit everything, move to a different state, and start over. I am attending a community college here and received a 3.0 last semester, and expect to do the same this semester.</p>

<p>I want to transfer to a university in the fall, but I'm afraid of that 0.875 getting in the way. I need a cumulative GPA of 2.0 from ALL college courses attempted. If I get another 3.0 this spring, my cumulative for all courses will be just over 2.0, but it is cutting it dangerously close. I don't want the university to look on those previous years and think I won't be able to study at their institution.</p>

<p>These are my choices:</p>

<p>I can either not disclose the information about the first college I attended, or by some magic have those records removed somehow. I could also shoot for another 3.0 and hope I still get accepted regardless of those grades in the past.</p>

<p>Going back to the old school and re-taking the courses is out of the question.</p>

<p>What should I do? Should I not disclose that information? Would a university in one state know about courses attempted at a school in another state if I did not tell them?</p>

<p>I feel this is my last shot at making something of myself, and I'd hate to see that choices I made when I was young and stupid would doom me when I'm so close to achieving what I've wanted to for so long.</p>

<p>Any advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>

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<p>Bump... please somebody help me</p>

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<p>Ouch. Well you could do either. What you can do is send them your old failing transcripts and write an essay talking about how you've learned and become "stronger" and overcame endevours to get to the point you are now. Tell them how much you've improved and what failing has "taught you."</p>

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<p>What would the risks involved be if I did not disclose the information about the previous college?</p>

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<p>opinions anybody?</p>

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<p>As long as you get over the 2.0 rule (is that actually a hard and fast rule) you should be fine. Never good to lie, IMHO. Risk is, if they find out, they kick you out. Also, dont know how all this affects finaid. Is there limit on year/semesters of aid?</p>

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<p>For the rest of your life you will have to submit copies of all of your old college transcripts whenever you apply to college, grad school, or to a job that asks for transcripts. If you don't send all of your transcripts, you can be denied admission to a college/university or even be expelled from a college/university that has admitted you. There are so many of us out here who have ugly stuff in one or more of our old transcripts that, frankly, most people are willing to overlook the ugly stuff if the good stuff is really good. Especially if the ugly stuff is in the past and the good stuff is in the present.</p>

<p>Send all the transcripts. Write an essay about how you have pulled your life together and how your new sense of direction and/or new personal/professional goals have given you the focus to perform well in your classes.</p>

<p>And yes, you do need to send all the transcripts. Last summer I spent half an hour on the telephone with the records office of a community college where I took two classes for fun in the winter quarter of 1979-1980. They were digging through their microfiche trying to find my grades so that they could send a transcript to the university where I am currently pursuing graduate studies. My university was going to drop me from my program if I didn't get them a copy of the transcript.</p>

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<p>Any tips on how to write the essay?</p>

<p>Would letters of recommendation help too? I could get one from the president of the company i previously worked for, counselors at my current school, etc.</p>

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<p>You need to make an appointment with the Transfer Office at the community college that you are now attending. They should be able to advise you on the whole process. Even if they are used to sending their students on to only one or two local universities, the suggestions they give you about choosing your recommenders and writing your "Why transfer to" letters will be helpful.</p>

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<p>Hahaha, I have written this story quite a few times now... .But anyway, I did a similar, but even worse thing. Got 6 f's, 1 w, and 1 d freshman year. The next 2.5 years, got another F, some C's and B's (part time). also a semester of W's resulting from a serious injury. After that, I finished up with one semester at my 4 year with a great gpa, then went back to community college where I got a 4.0 for a while, got very involved (community service, ec's,), got some great letters of rec, and really put my mind to it. I was able to transfer to my dream school, and then into their business school.</p>

<p>So... Moral of story: they will see your upward trend. You will not just be looked at as someone with a 2.0. They will see that you have met the min requirement, and perform at a 3.0 now... But make sure you disclose all of your info... You do not want it to somehow come to light one day and result in you losing your degree. </p>

<p>I would say, really work hard this semester, see if you can get above a 3.0. and write your essay about, or at least in some part of your app, write about why your academic performance increased so much. I wrote mine about how my injury gave me time to think, and about the realizations I made. I was honest about some things that I did that held me back. Be passionate, and be honest.</p>

<p>Also, yes, letters of recommendation will help. Try to be involved too so you can put down things like club involvement, leadership positions, or awards (dont get freaked out if you cant do this though, but it will help). And dont be afraid to list good things about yourself even if you think they are insignificant, you are marketing yourself. I mean, I even wrote on my app how I was a high rated ebay seller, in a part where I found it could be relevant. Do as much as you can and your good to go.</p>

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<p>Send the grades in, you have to and if you don't if and when they find out it will end BADLY.</p>

<p>I'm in a similar situation, and I sent ALL my grades in. I'm addressing the bad marks in my essay and hope they won't drag down my chances too badly. I think that is all you can do really. Place your past firmly in the past.</p>

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<p>Woohoo! Guess what? I just got off the phone with the school I want to transfer to, and I learned some things.</p>

<p>First off, two of the F's at the previous school were in English Comp1. Both those F's will be replaced by the B i earned last semester. That drops my credit hours attempted by 6.</p>

<p>Another class I failed was MTH-100, technical math. Iowa State doesn't transfer that class, so they will not be taking it into account either. That single class drops another five credit hours off my attempted score.</p>

<p>That would bring the GPA that they would see up to a 1.3, with my last semester's GPA of 3.0 I have a cumulative of around 2.1!!</p>

<p>And, if the Criminal justice course I took there and got a B in doesn't transfer, and I don't see why it wouldn't, I would still have a cumulative of 2.0!</p>

<p>HAHA i'm so happy</p>

<p>TY for the great advice though people.</p>

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<p>you can lock/close this thread mods</p>