3.8 GPA but on Academic Probation, can I transfer?

Transfer Students
1

Dear members of College Confidential,

I am a 3.8 GPA student with a 32 ACT at one of the most prestigious schools in the south (hint: Harvard of the south). I am now in my sophomore year and I have to sadly admit that this school was not what I was expecting. Although I like this school, I don’t love it enough and want to get out. I am mostly sick of the fraternity culture that my school prides itself on. My dream school is USC or UCLA for my junior year next year but I have one problem. Last summer, I said something somewhat stupid on facebook over the summer and got reported by a student who felt “threatened” by what I said. What I said was not insensitive nor racist, sexist, etc. I was defending a black child who got shot an got a little heated when a person wrote something disrespectful. Nevertheless, the outcome was academic probation. Luckily for me, I was able to get this knocked down to a written warning under the grounds that I don’t do something that violates the rules of student conduct again. However last night, I got caught with possession of beers and it might cause me to be on probation again. I hate what I did. I am a great person with great values who loves learning and I’m good at it too. Small little things keep happening to me and I’m scared they will cause me to not be able to get into my dream schools even though I have the grades to get in.

             From your experience, should I worry? Will USC or UCLA ask if if I have ever been on academic probation? Please let me know. I never meant to do anything wrong.
2

Not your question, but until you recognize that those ‘small little things’ are not things that have happened to you, but the logical outcome of choices you have made they will keep happening.

3

I understand that. I am aware that I am responsible for my actions and that it is no ones fault but mine. I just didn’t write that well.

4

I’ve tried Googling which school is the “Harvard of the South” and apparently four schools are either referred to as that, or actively promote themselves with that moniker (those schools being Duke, Emory, Vandy, and Rice, in case anyone is wondering).

The key here would be explaining to the adcom how and why you have that stain on your record since, while probation looks bad on paper, sharing your story could make them much more sympathetic.

If you’re ever able to fly out to Los Angeles, I’d encourage you to meet with an admissions counselor from each school before applying just to get their take on your situation.

5

Just as aside, if you’re not a CA resident UCLA will not only be a huge reach but also around 65k/year with very little possible aid.

6

You do not appear to be on academic probation, rather you are on disciplinary probation. If that is on your transcript you will be poison to other top schools. Also letters of recommendation may be hard to get.

7

Discipline aside, you should visit those schools, while school is in, before you decide either are worthy of the “dream” designation. Both will be dramatically larger than Duke, Emory, Vanderbilt or Rice.