<p>I'm currently a freshman in Grove City College studying electrical engineering. There are a few things I don't like about this school and I'd really like to attend the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland. I applied last week. Here are my concerns.</p>
<p>First, one page of their website says they require a 2.5 GPA, but another page says they require a 2.8. Which do you think is right? My first semester GPA from Grove City was a 2.96, which is worrying me. However, my high school transcript is very strong: 3/240 class rank, 3.9 GPA, two AP courses, 5 on one of the exams, SAT score of 1250. So that's good, but that leads to my second concern...</p>
<p>..which is, will they even look at my high school transcript? It says they need it if you have LESS than 24 credits currently. Well, I only have 16 from GCC, however, when you add in my AP credit and college in high school credit, I have 24. Does that mean they'll completely disregard my high school transcript even though I sent it to them?</p>
<p>And finally, here is the essay I wrote:</p>
<p>
[quote]
University of Pittsburgh
Application Essay
February 1, 2006</p>
<p>Imagine you're on the Admissions or Scholarship Committee. Tell us something about yourself that isn't apparent from your academic records--something that will give us insight about you as an individual and might help in the committee's decision.</p>
<p>Application Committee:</p>
<pre><code>First I would like to thank you for taking the time to review my application and to introduce myself. As stated at the top of this page, my name is xxxxxxx. I am from xxxxxx, and am currently a freshman at Grove City College in Grove City, PA, studying electrical engineering. Due to my current situation and background, I feel I can be regarded slightly differently from the normal freshman or transfer student applying to the University of Pittsburgh. Firstly, I am a single child and the first in my family to be attending college. That scenario put particular strain and confusion on all of my college-related decisions, such as which school to attend, what kind of environment I preferred, and what kind of academics with which I wanted to acquaint myself. Due to price and location, I chose Grove City College and entered as a freshman in August of 2005. I began my college experience with a healthy high school background, having taken AP courses in calculus and physics and earning a 5 on the AP calculus exam, obtaining CHEM 0110 credit from the University of Pittsburgh in my junior year, and maintaining a 3.9 GPA and finishing my senior year fourth in my class out of approximately 240 students. The academics at Grove City during my first semester were rigorous but rewarding. However, during my time here I have learned a great deal about myself, the type of college I want to attend, the reputation of the school name I want my degree to bear, and the environment and personality I want my college life to reflect. I quickly realized that Grove City was not matching my attributes and traits. At this time I began seeking education elsewhere and very noticeably became quite fond of the University of Pittsburgh. U. of Pitt. had been a consideration of mine previously, however I neglected to pursue it further due to the slightly higher costs compared to some of my other considerations. Looking back, however, I regret not further considering Pitt due to that reason alone, and after having learned about myself and the college world, every aspect of the University of Pittsburgh and its offerings excite me. These aspects include the city of Oakland and Pittsburgh and their surroundings; the large variety of students to meet and interact with that make up the student body; and most importantly, the reputation that the University of Pittsburgh holds with its high academic standards, especially in the engineering disciplines. I would be very excited to have an opportunity to learn, grow, and further my education with the staff and students of your fine university. Because of these reasons I eagerly seek to transfer this fall and imagine the experience to be very eye-opening and rewarding.
</code></pre>
<p>Again I thank you for taking the time to review this essay and my entire application.</p>
<pre><code> Sincerely,
xxxxxxxx
</code></pre>
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[/quote]
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<p>Yes, I realize that the essay really focuses on why I want to transfer instead of on me as an individual, however I feel that clearly explaining to the college why I want to attend, now, after already being at another school, is very important.</p>
<p>So what do you think? Do I have good odds or maybe not?</p>