spidergrrl

I'm currently a sophomore at a liberal arts university and I'm dying to transfer to an art school. However, due to emotional problems last semester my GPA took a serious hit when I got an F in a freshman seminar class. My current cumulative GPA is a 2.2, and even assuming I make all As and Bs this semester, my GPA will still be a 2.7+ (I'm really, really, really embarrassed with my GPA).

My question is, if I took the spring semester off to take a mental health break from classes in order to improve my academic performance, would that help or hurt my opportunity to transfer to another school for the fall? If I stayed enrolled for the spring semester, I could beef up my GPA with some more grades, but I'm worried staying in class will only hurt my GPA because I'm so stressed and burned out. But I'm also worried my GPA will screw me out of the scholarships I need to pay for tuition anyway, since I'm applying to new universities.

ChadVene

Many students take semester(s) off due to a variety of reasons, health or otherwise. But you may want to include why you took a semester off in your transfer essay, and how it has affected/changed you for the better.

I took a semester off for work before transferring to another university.

spidergrrl

I'm just wondering if my GPA will hold me back from getting into the school I want to transfer into though?

austonian

To speak very generally, art school admissions are often less focused on grades and more focused on intent to make art or artistic ability. I think it might be wise to develop a 'portfolio,' take art classes, or do some sort of art apprenticeship during your time off. If you do take art classes, taking other classes to boost your GPA may be advisable. I would try speaking to an admissions counselor at a desirable art school to see what they look for in an app.