Jmcyl

Here's my situation:
Freshman at CCC looking at a 4.0GPA first semester. Taking all the right classes.
Basically I want to transfer as soph. I figure applying it won't hurt. Also I'm a founder/CEO in a company that I founded, that serves as my EC.

HS: 2.8GPA / SAT 1700-ish.
Lack of maturity, lack of motivation. I'd say I was fairly bright, didn't really study but still got close to a 3.0. BTW my HS is ranked top 5 in CA, so extremely competitive.

I know if i were to apply as a soph they are going to base their decision more on my HS record.
So my question is do I stand a chance if I were to apply to Top 25 schools?
And will my previous HS background improve my chances of getting into a prestigious school?
And should/could I use my new found motivation/drive and write it in my essay, to make my case?
Do colleges like improvements in GPA this big?

Thanks in advance.

skyscraper13

The really competitive colleges I've emailed with or called (Columbia, Notre Dame) have said that they want soph transfers to have HS GPA and SAT scores similar to first year students.

I'm in a similar boat with a weak HS transcript. Try to use your upward trend to your advantage, but realize it might not be enough after one year to convince the best of the best schools.

wayward_trojan

Agreed. Apply as a junior transfer to mitigate your poor hs record.

Seachai86442

From what I've heard, if you have completed a year at another college or university, with 24 credits or over maxed, colleges that you transfer to will regaurd you highly based on your college performance. Even for top 25 schools, they like to see an upward trend. If you can pull a 3.8 GPA or higher on the next term, I would say you are in a good shape. You might want to retake the SAT one more time for an 1800 or 1900 at least.
It also depends if you want transfer to an in or out of state school.
Basically, if you're thinking about schools like UCLA, Berkeley, Irvine, or UCSD, I would say they have specific requirements for CC students to transfer in -- which you would need almost two years to fulfill them. If you're going to other colleges other than UCs, I would say contact one of the representatives at the school you intend on transferring to, they will lead you to the corrigible direction.

I don't get why so many people say transfer in as a Junior, I mean don't top schools look at your college work once you're out of high school?