William and Transfer -- Spring 2012 (Non-traditional)

Colleges and Universities A-Z College of William and Mary
1

<p>Hello All:</p>

<p>I know many of you have angst as you wait for fall transfer announcements – best of luck! I am plotting my transfer to William and Mary in the Spring 2012 and have questions. My younger brother (who recently went through the PHD admit process) has been a big help, including helping me to realize it's a tremendous advantage going to liberal arts focused school with great opportunity to interact with faculty. In fact, it was one of his master thesis advisors experience with William and Mary that persuade me to put it at the top of my list.</p>

<p>As an older student (late 20’s) I recognize I would represent less than 2% of the admitted William and Mary undergrad population. Couple this with a potential transition from a successful career to a new part of the state with the fact applying to selective schools is always a competitive process – I am a little stressed and have questions.</p>

<p>Mainly, am I competitive for a spring transfer admission (stats posted below)? Second, how is the transition from a vccs to William and Mary? One of the reasons I would prefer to transfer in the spring would be to acclimate myself to a new school and a new town (moving from DC). I would plan on taking 9-12 credits – to get my sea legs so to speak, before hitting school full time for two years. Lastly, does anyone have any words of advice (course selection, encouragement, other things to consider etc…)?</p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

<p>Stats (at NVCC):</p>

<p>2009 Spring
ENG 111 – A
SOC 201 – A</p>

<p>2009 Summer
SOC 202 – A
ENG 112 – B</p>

<p>Fall 2009
ECO 202 – A
ACC 211 – A
PHI 220 – A</p>

<p>Spring 2010
ECO 201 – A
ACC 212 – A
ITE 115 – A</p>

<p>Summer 2010
ITE 140 – B</p>

<p>Fall 2010
Chm 101— A
PHI 101 – A
Mth 4 – S</p>

<p>Spring 2011
SPA 101 – Assuming an “A”
Mth 271 – Assuming an “A”
Bus 100 – Assuming an “A”</p>

<p>Summer 2011
PYS 201 -- Assuming an “A”
HIS 121 -- Assuming an “A”
MTH 241 -- Assuming an “A”</p>

<p>Fall 2011
MTH 242 – Assuming an “A”
SPA 102 – Assuming an “A”
HIS 101 – Assuming an “A”</p>

<p>Current GPA: 3.85 (anticipate to maintain GPA)</p>

<p>Background:</p>

<p>Work full time as a property manager for a national real estate company, manage 11 people, $100 million class A asset close to the pentagon. Have P&L responsibility for $10 million dollars. Began work at the front desk of a building and worked my way into management in a little over a year. I have been very successful and get paid well (even interviewed William and Mary grads for open positions I have had). </p>

<p>Before moving to DC, I traveled throughout the country and worked for a small non-profit for 3 years. I lived in Israel for six months while working for the non-profit. As a part of a non-profit assisted in starting a small business that imported jewelry /souvenirs from Israel to be sold at bookstores. </p>

<p>I graduated high school a semester early and took 14 hours at a community college and failed all my classes expect one. I became bored and disinterested in school and stopped going to class. Decided not to attended the University of Kansas in the fall (where I was accepted) and decided to go to Israel to sort out life. </p>

<p>High school: average student: 3.4 GPA, inconsistent grade trend (sometimes all A’s, sometimes not). Went to 3 different high schools because of my family moving, average ACT – 24. </p>

<p>Goals:</p>

<p>To obtain a world class education that would allow me to gain the skills necessary to be successful in a new career and / or grad school (MBA / Urban Planning / Public Policy). Long term career goal is to work in real estate in a development capacity or to work on urban policy as it relates to economic development in communities / neighborhoods.</p>

2

<p>Glad you’re interested in transferring to W&M. It looks like you plan to get your AA from NVCC. Is that correct? If so, academically you’re doing exactly what we like to see in transfer applicants in terms of course selection and GPA. If you’re working full-time that certainly explains the part-time course work. You might want to apply as a flex-track student for W&M which means you are limited to 10 credits during your first semester. If you do not apply as a flex track student, it is difficult to get permission to take fewer than 12 credits (which is considered full-time). Additionally, the Committee may be hesitant to admit you as a full-time student when you haven’t been one in so long so flex track may be the way to go. That will also help your transition go more smoothly.</p>

<p>We have many support services on campus including a Dean of Students who works primarily with transfers so as to ensure they have a successful transition to W&M. There are also a few student organizations designed specifically for non-traditional students that you could connect with.</p>

<p>You may want to consider attending a prospective transfer day next fall to learn more about the campus and admission process.</p>

3

<p>W&M Admissions:</p>

<p>Thanks for the prompt reply. I was planning on completing as many GER courses as possible in lieu of getting an AS/AA (completing about the same number of hours 65+) I understand its advantageous for all parties concerned (NVCC, William & Mary and myself) that I complete the transfer degree. I take it you would prefer to see a transfer degree over a few more GER courses completed? I wish I could complete the GAA but scheduling conflicts due to my demanding job makes it very challenging. </p>

<p>It sounds like the flex track is the way to go. One of the main reasons I am eager to leave DC and my career is to be able to take full advantage of all the opportunities a world class university provides. I do have questions about the flex track. Taking few than 10 credits I would be concerned about access to financial aide. Second, I would also be concerned about having equal opportunity to purse my academic interests like a typical full-time undergraduate – i.e. ability to purse a degree that lines up with my academic and career goals. I would assume if I began taking courses full-time after my transition I would have full access to financial aide and the college in general?</p>

<p>I very much look forward to attending a prospective transfer day in the fall. I unofficially visited Williamsburg in the winter and had a good time. I am delighted to hear William and Mary does a great job supporting newly enrolled transfer students.</p>

<p>Again, thanks so much for your responses and your time. You have helped take a little bit of the “mystery” out of this process.</p>

4

<p>malcolm, if at possible we encourage you to get an AA/AS. However, if it’s not possible due to scheduling conflicts just ensure you’re taking courses that transfer to W&M and the more GER-equivalent courses, the better.</p>

<p>As for Flex Track, yes, it may limit access to financial aid but does not limit access to courses and programs of study. Flex track only limits your credit hours for the first semester (to no more than 10 credits). Your second semester, you can take as many credits as you like and you can petition the Committee on Academic Status to become a full-time student. Here’s a Q&A on Flex Track Students (<a href=“http://www.wm.edu/offices/deanofstudents/documents/flextrackquestions.pdf[/url]”>http://www.wm.edu/offices/deanofstudents/documents/flextrackquestions.pdf&lt;/a&gt;)</p>

5

<p>Thanks so much. I really look forward to getting down to Williamsburg in the fall for a visit. I inferred as much about the AS and was able to re-arrange my schedule to complete it in the fall while only taking one less GER course.</p>

6

<p>Sounds great Malcolm. Good luck!</p>

7

<p>I wanted to re-visit my post from the spring as I work on my transfer application. I have a couple of questions.</p>

<p>First an update on my progress. I choose not to complete my AA but instead to take MTH 272 (it was an either or choice). I hope to get an Economics degree and attend grad school in public policy or business. Having the higher math course will be very helpful. I have bumped my GPA slightly, (up to a 3.9 through 60 hours). This fall I am taking BIO 101, MTH 242, and SPA 102. Still in good shape?</p>

<p>Questions:</p>

<p>When will the W&M supplemental be posted? I am applying to UVA and Richmond as well (W&M is my first choice) but needless to say I am writing a lot of essays. I would like to get a jump on the process as I manage working full-time job, 12 credit hours this semester, and the application process.</p>

<p>For the recommendations, do I use the common app form or is a letter okay? Since I have significant professional experience I am having both a professor and a boss submit a recommendation for me. The common app recommendation form is not geared towards a student with professional experience. Lastly on the recommendations, how should I advise my recommenders to submit them? Mail them to the Admissions? Fax? Email? Any of the above?</p>

<p>I am excited about visiting in a few weeks and will be sure to be prepared with lots of questions.</p>

<p>Thanks for your help!</p>

8

<p>Sounds like you’re in good shape. The only thing to consider is whether you still plan to apply to W&M as a Flex Track (part-time) student. If you do, remember that you will need to explaiin why you are doing so.</p>

<p>We anticipate that the transfer supplement will go live shortly (likely in the coming weeks if not sooner). The hurricane has closed campus so right now we’re in a holding pattern.</p>

<p>The supplemental essay (besides the short explanation of why you wish to be Flex Track) is to explain why you wish to transfer to W&M.</p>

<p>As for recommendations, you can use the Common App form or your recommendors can simply send a letter. Mailing or faxing the recommendations is fine. Please do not email them. By policy, to protect against viruses, we will not open email attachments from applicants. </p>

<p>Hope this helps!</p>

9

<p>Thanks for the guidance on the recommendations and the assurances. </p>

<p>Stay safe. Right after I posted this I realized the school was shutting down with the Hurricane. It should be an interesting weekend – hopefully not too eventful.</p>