Best university daughter can transfer into with mediocre first year gpa at a US News top 10?

[Anonymous]

Will straight As in 4 classes be enough to elevate her GPA to where she needs it?

What if she gets a C, B-, B-, A? She'll need to maintain a certain average in her major so unless gym is a requirement in her major, adding on an "easy" class might not do it.

[Anonymous]

I would vote for the community college option, rebuild, then transfer.

[Anonymous]

Just to answer OP’s question: Freshman transfers work by relying primarily on first year performance at the originating college (GPA).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just to answer OP’s question: Freshman transfers work by relying primarily on first year performance at the originating college (GPA).

Not always. Some schools consider HS grades and test scores if the student has not earned a specified amount of college credits. It helps to look at the transfer requirements of each school under consideration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First semester of college is often a reality check. Two of my kids--who did well in HS without putting in a lot of effort--BOMBED first semester at SLACs. One kid was made to sign an academic contract upon returning for spring. DC had weekly meetings with advisor and with an assigned faculty member to review study plans, create plans for getting work done, review papers, etc. DC hated it and was ashamed, but admitted that the assistance was needed. Got solid grades second semester and pulled overall GPA to 3.0. Seriously considered transferring but decided to stay as academic performance got better and work/life balance improved. Other DC was at a very small, nurturing SLAC that did not make a big deal over a bad semester. Assigned to a mentor and therapeutic support--focused on not beating self up and letting go of anxiety around perfection. Went on the publish papers and present at conferences and is now applying to grad programs. Graduated with a very good GPA.

I think the first thing for your DD to do is to take advantage of what the school offers for supports. It might be best for her to work on improving her GPA where she is and to restore her sense of mastery. A running transfer is likely not the best solution. Have her contact her advisor ASAP. Set up some meetings to discuss the issues and see where she needs the support. The decision to transfer should only be made after the root cause is identified.
Good luck.

+100

And this is why I LOVE SLAC's. Note the poster's children did well in HS. No one can predict how the transition to college will go. I wanted my child (who has done well) in a place where someone would notice/care if she started faltering.

Big state schools do not give me that impression. Now some posters will say, it's a cold cruel world, and that students will either sink or swim. That is not the ideal environment, IMHO, to finish growing up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would vote for the community college option, rebuild, then transfer.

There probably aren't any classes for a "US News top 10" overachiever to take at a local junior college. The OP's daughter has at least 12 credits from first semester, plus anywhere from 12-30 AP credits from high school, I assume.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will straight As in 4 classes be enough to elevate her GPA to where she needs it?

What if she gets a C, B-, B-, A? She'll need to maintain a certain average in her major so unless gym is a requirement in her major, adding on an "easy" class might not do it.

Slackers don't go from say 2.5 to 4.0 -- it's magical thinking to even think that's realistic. And even then, with a perfect 40, the acc GPA would only be in the 3.25 range, which is very low for any school in the top 50.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will straight As in 4 classes be enough to elevate her GPA to where she needs it?

What if she gets a C, B-, B-, A? She'll need to maintain a certain average in her major so unless gym is a requirement in her major, adding on an "easy" class might not do it.

Slackers don't go from say 2.5 to 4.0 -- it's magical thinking to even think that's realistic. And even then, with a perfect 40, the acc GPA would only be in the 3.25 range, which is very low for any school in the top 50.

Not sure what this is trying to say. There are plenty of students at top 50 schools with end-of-freshman-year GPAs lower than 3.25.

[Anonymous]

I know someone who had a 3.1 at an ivy around ten years ago that transferred to Colorado College. She was really happy with her decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will straight As in 4 classes be enough to elevate her GPA to where she needs it?

What if she gets a C, B-, B-, A? She'll need to maintain a certain average in her major so unless gym is a requirement in her major, adding on an "easy" class might not do it.

Slackers don't go from say 2.5 to 4.0 -- it's magical thinking to even think that's realistic. And even then, with a perfect 40, the acc GPA would only be in the 3.25 range, which is very low for any school in the top 50.

Not sure what this is trying to say. There are plenty of students at top 50 schools with end-of-freshman-year GPAs lower than 3.25.

We're talking about TRANSFERS. My niece recently transferred into UVA and she had a 3.9 freshman year GPA at an non-selective 4-year public. Her friend with a 3.7 was rejected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe, after this false start, you need to let go of asking about the “best school” she can transfer to...and start concentrating on HER unique needs (=fit).

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just to answer OP’s question: Freshman transfers work by relying primarily on first year performance at the originating college (GPA).

Not always. Some schools consider HS grades and test scores if the student has not earned a specified amount of college credits. It helps to look at the transfer requirements of each school under consideration.

Well yes of course they also look at the high school record. But the most current college record counts a lot. Why? It’s actual college courses at a college. Make sense?

[Anonymous]

The child of a friend went to a top 30 school, and did so terrible that he dropped out after two years and came back home. He then decided to became a doctor, even though his parents had doubts. He enrolled in a community college, then transferred to a public college, and then went to a medical school. He is now a md in emergence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Chicago??

Insane. Her grades would only get worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chicago??

Insane. Her grades would only get worse.

Oh, unless Chicago is someone’s guess re where/why OP’s kid is currently miserable (vs an answer to OP’s question). Lots of top private schools don’t allow transfers in before junior year. I think JHU may be an exception. UCs don’t allow earlier transfers or starting over. UMD does.