Where should I try to transfer?

Applying to College
1

Tired posting in the transfer section; zero replies, so Ill try here.

I’m a 26 year old community college student looking to transfer this fall to continue working towards my B.A. in philosophy. I know I’m running up against the application deadlines for most schools, but I can’t afford to apply too broadly so I’m looking for help finding target schools.

My ACT composite was 27, though I’m not sure if that will matter as I will be a junior when I transfer.

High School GPA was only about 2.8.

Cumulative college GPA from one semester at NIU and three at a local community college should be about 3.5-3.6

My three semesters at CC have been 4.0; the 2.5 I received for my one semester at NIU was about seven years ago (excessive drinking and poor attendance; no excuses, I was an idiot when I was younger). 6 of the 4.0 hours are Honors classes.

As my income is nearly non-existent and I recently filed for chapter 7 (and so won’t qualify for any private loans), financial aid is a huge factor for me.

Negligible EC activity. The only club I’ve been particularly active in is Philosophy club, and I doubt that’s even worth mentioning.

My question is, then, what schools should I be applying to?
To what extent will the strong upward trend mitigate the effect of that 2.5 from NIU?

I was hoping for Vanderbilt, UNC-Chapel Hill, or UVA; should I even bother applying with my numbers?

Sorry for the wall of text, and thank you for your time.

2

Transfers are in a tough spot and the generous packages are usually for freshman. I don’t know if you can get into any of the ‘meets needs’ schools for transfers, there is only a subset of the ‘meets full needs’ colleges that do do for transfers. Unfortunately you do have to apply to see. Maybe if the NPC has a place to designate you are a transfer, but usually the NPC is for freshmen.

I think you have a good record for transfer. I think it will be understood that you messed up your one semester when you were younger and now you have established that you are prepared and performing at top capacity. So sure, apply to your instate public. I don’t know about the others. If you are OOS for the publics, then not likely at UNC I’d say. Maybe UVA. Maybe Vandy if you have good recommendations.

You may qualify for a Pell Grant up to 5,700 per year. As an independent you can get federal student loan up to 12,500 per year.