<p>I'm currently a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh. After next semester, I'd really like to transfer somewhere smaller, preferably with a more socially/globally conscious atmosphere and a better sense of community. My first choice is Guilford in NC. They (and some similar institutions to which I'm applying) have rolling admissions until June 1, but they recommend applying early because spots fill up. </p>
<p>The problem: my first semester grades are going to be pretty mediocre. Due to an administrative screwup (gotta love large universities) I couldn't get housing so I'm living on my own as a freshman. I've been struggling with depression due to a hormonal disorder, and even though my courseload was average, dealing with college, depression, loneliness, living on my own for the first time (I don't have a meal plan) plus a stressful workstudy job working with children about 14 hours a week took its toll on my sanity and therefore my grades. I don't know if this would be worth mentioning to colleges? I know next semester is going to be better - my schedule is better and I'm going to be much more organized and I'm seeking treatment for my depression. </p>
<p>Anyway, absolute best case scenario is A, A-, B, B-. Absolute worst case is B+, B, B, D. Most likely scenario (I think) is A-, B+, B, C. I also took two summer classes before freshman year and got an A+ in both. </p>
<p>So, bottom line: should I apply early with poor grades or wait until the end of second semester and risk the transfer spots filling up? Should I explain my situation to colleges or would it look like making excuses? Should I just wait until I'm a junior or a 2nd-semester sophomore to transfer? </p>
<p>Other things of note:
I was homeschooled, so colleges don't really take my grades seriously, but I had a 3.7 and took some community college classes in high school.
SAT of 2090 (620M/700CR/780W)
I took a gap year before college and taught English in a primary school in Africa
I'm an Americorps Jumpstart member (that's my workstudy job.) I mentor/tutor low-income preschool children to help develop their early literacy skills.</p>
<p>It totally sucks that you don’t get the Towers experience. Well I never experienced it and I’ve been told that it’s a good thing I didn’t. You can have my room in PA hall if you can get it, I’m leaving lol. Anyways, generally if you are attempting to apply for the fall term, you apply around January or February at the latest, even if it’s rolling admissions. There is no chance you can wait until May to apply and realistically expect to accepted. I think you should apply soon if you want to get in for Fall 2012. Otherwise, your best option is probably to wait for one more semester before transferring. Good luck!</p>
<p>What with all of the details you’ve provided here, I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to explain yourself on an application. I think every detail you’ve mentioned is relevant and is not detrimental to the account that you’re a hard working, socially conscious person. Guilford should be flattered to have a student like you.</p>
<p>You’re getting bad advice here. It would not be a good idea for you to tell colleges what you’ve told us here. Excuses are not what colleges want to hear and depression should never be mentioned. Lots and lots of kids have college adjustment problems.</p>
<p>As I stated, I have diagnosed chemical imbalances that are causing my depression. I also have a history of clinical depression. The point is that it hasn’t merely been adjustment problems; they exacerbated what was already there. If you think it sounds like an excuse to colleges then thanks for your input - that’s what I am curious to know. But don’t you dare imply that depression is simply an excuse for poor grades. Your post comes across as callous and uninformed.</p>
<p>@thepaperflower, You’re overreacting here. I don’t think he/she was implying that you were simply making excuses. @waverly did give you good advice, even if it came across and callous. It’s not fair but colleges generally do hesitate to accept people who have a history of mental issues, regardless of the cause. And even if you state that it was because of chemical imbalances, it still comes across like an excuse. I’ve had my own mental issues to deal with as well so I can understand but if you get a person without a history of mental issues, he or she has an empathy gap and will probably underestimate how difficult it is to deal with it. I have never once mentioned my mental issues in my college applications, even though they probably affected my grades. At the end of the day, performance is all that matters. You just simply have to find a way to work around whatever problems you may have and get the results.</p>