Transfer suggestions?

vmel1814 · 09-20-2012, 02:46 PM

I'm applying for transfers into a major university or liberal arts college, and need suggestions on where to apply.

Community College GPA: 3.3 (due to PTSD, will be explained in personal statement)

Major: Philosophy

Other than the UC system, what are some schools across the country that I can look into, and have some chance of getting into?

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP!

Erin's Dad · 09-20-2012, 03:12 PM

What is your home state and what can you afford?

katliamom · 09-20-2012, 05:42 PM

Affordability is the key. If money's no object, there are literally hundreds of schools that would welcome you.

vmel1814 · 09-20-2012, 11:51 PM

I'm in California, but wouldn't mind going anywhere.

I would like to keep the tuitions below 50k.

mom2collegekids · 09-20-2012, 11:57 PM

^^^

So, your parents are saying that they'll pay up to $50k per year? If so, you should have a number of choices. Are you willing to add a Stafford loan to the amount (up to 7500 for a junior)?

Good philosophy programs can be found at LACs, Flagships, privates.....likely at many of the schools with good law schools.

Tell us what kind of schools do you like?

vmel1814 · 09-21-2012, 12:07 AM

My parents are willing to pay for my BA as long as I pay back in the future. I'll probably apply for financial aid, and Stafford loans are possible.

This is the tricky part. I am excited for a smaller university experience, much like LACs. Although, a lot of LACs and privates are religiously affiliated, which I don't want. The only larger schools I could see myself in, are UCLA, UCSD, maybe UMich... but it depends on where I get in.

vmel1814 · 09-21-2012, 01:12 PM

*bump* for any suggestions!

katliamom · 09-21-2012, 03:38 PM

Will you even qualify for FA?

And you have to pay back your parents? Is that for real: you might be in debt to your parents for a quarter million dollars???

If the latter is really true, you should be looking at community college and Cal states. No undergraduate degree is worth a quarter million dollars personal debt.

vmel1814 · 09-21-2012, 07:26 PM

I'm already in community college, looking to transfer out. We have enough financial stability to pay for a school up to 50k/year, but I'll be applying for scholarships and grants and aid. I'm just looking for schools to apply to this fall, I'm worried I won't get in because of my GPA.

Magnetron · 09-21-2012, 07:34 PM

Maybe WWU. Philosophy dept gets some respect and it has an LAC like atmosphere. I've heard good things from a couple of kids at Willamette also.

mom2collegekids · 09-21-2012, 07:34 PM

You're likely going to end up borrowing $60k-$100k from your parents.

We have enough financial stability to pay for a school up to 50k/year, but I'll be applying for scholarships and grants and aid.

If your parents can pay that much, then likely YOU won't qualify for grants. Scholarships are small or rare for transfers. transfers rarely get much for aid, so you need to assume that you won't get much.

I think you're expecting to get a lot more than you will. You may get nothing but a Stafford loan. What is your FASFA EFC?

The most you can borrow for stafford loans is $7500.

To keep the borrowed amount down, you really should look at your instate publics.

I don't think you realize how painful it will be to have to payback $60k-100k in loans.

Undergrads shouldn't have more than about $30k TOTAL in all loans.

How much do you think you'll be earning upon graduation?

vmel1814 · 09-21-2012, 09:20 PM

Financial issues aside, what colleges can I apply to with my GPA? This is just the application process, actually picking out the school will involve looking over how much money each school will cost. I just want to know my options.

katliamom · 09-22-2012, 01:49 AM

There are thousands of universities and LACs throughout the country, so that's kind of a broad question. You will have to give us some parameters to help you: regional preference? Size? Urban/suburban/rural?

You could start with schools in California - for example Occidental College could be a possibility, although your GPA is a tad low (they say their most competitive transfer students have over 3.5) Your GPA is right on target with transfer requirements at University of San Francisco; University of the Pacific requires 2.8 and higher.

For out of state options, you could also look at the main flagship campuses throughout the west, for example: University of Oregon, University of Washington, University of Colorado, University of Montana (this last one is cheaper than others and often offers scholarships to out of staters, though I don't know if that applies to transfers as well.)

vmel1814 · 09-22-2012, 03:46 AM

I prefer a school with a smaller population and one that is looking for all-rounded students. Liberal arts is something I'm gravitating towards because of the student lifestyle. Now obviously I have no chance at Bryn Mawr or some college like that, but I would like to get as close to the tight knit student environment as possible. Also, a school that has interesting semester layouts and study abroad opportunities would be nice. I work well in environments that encourage discussion and research rather than regurgitating answers on scantrons.

The only reasons my GPA is low are because of my PTSD and a major change (I was an architecture major before). My major GPA is about 3.75 to 3.8.

mom2collegekids · 09-22-2012, 08:27 AM

Financial issues aside, what colleges can I apply to with my GPA? This is just the application process, actually picking out the school will involve looking over how much money each school will cost. I just want to know my options.

Well, since the app process is time-consuming and costly, and you can't apply to an unlimited number of schools, you are in danger of applying to a list of schools where ALL will requre you to borrow TOO MUCH.

The problem is this. If you end up with a handful of acceptances in the Spring, and none give you any/much money, then you'll be forced to borrow a LOT from your parents.

I don't think you understand how likely that risk is.

As mentioned above, schools like UMontana may offer transfer scholarships. U New Mexico may as well. The problem will be finding schools that will give them for a 3.3 GPA. Most schools do not give much or anything to transfer students. And, a 3.3 transfer GPA is NOT likely going to get many scholarships. The point of a scholarship is to reward high stats.

Be sure to apply to some CSUs and UCs...especially some that you can commute to. If you could commute to a CC or UC, then you'd only have to borrow about $30k or less from your parents...total!