<p>I graduated high school this past May by the skin of my teeth. I was a terrible student and failed several classes. I think I graduated up with a 2.2 GPA. My ACT was decent (32) and I worked and participated in several extra-curricular activities. Because of my poor grades, I didn't have many college choices and ended up going to a large state school (SEC) that is academically mediocre. I just finished this past semester and I absolutely hate it there- my classes were alright but I simply do not fit in with the campus culture. Most of the student body is very conservative and religious and the school is just too large for my liking.</p>
<p>I would like to transfer but I'm not sure if I have many options considering my poor performance in high school. I finished my first semester with a 3.7 GPA, and I'm involved in several activities on campus with a couple leadership positions. I'm currently double majoring in physics and philosophy (though I plan on changing it eventually.) </p>
<p>Do colleges consider high school performance when evaluating freshman transfer applicants? Should I just stick it out another year and apply after I have a more solid GPA and impressive resume? My dream schools are Reed and Brown- will I ever have a chance at either of them?</p>
<p>The more semesters you spend getting a college 3.7 or 3.8, the less anyone is going to care about your high school experience unless you want to bring it up. But transferring into an elite school is at least as much of a crapshoot as applying to one. It can’t hurt to try, but before you go and get your hopes up and all that stuff, talk to the people where you want to go and get their advice more than ours. I would think both these schools would be interested in your story but are perhaps over-enrolled or fully enrolled. Maybe Reed will say, “show us another semester or two.” Make your contact with your intendeds personal. Try to deal with the same person each time. Sell yourself to the school. Do your homework on the school and departments you’re interested in. But don’t get your hopes up for any one school. Stay focused on your grades the whole time. Good luck.</p>
<p>Yes…when you have less than a certain number of credits, colleges will look at your high school grades.</p>
<p>You only have ONE SEMESTER in college, so colleges will certainly look at your high school grades.</p>
<p>Some colleges will exclude high school grades if you’re applying as an INCOMING JUNIOR in college.</p>
<p>How much will your family pay? Transfers rarely get good aid. Rarely!</p>
<p>if you need aid, do NOT cut ties with your current school UNTIL you’ve seen the aid pkg from the new school and your parents agree to it (pay close attention to whether the school puts in Parent Plus loans).</p>