Is it hopeless?

Wildlife32
Tue, 03 Dec 2013 10:50:35 +0000

Hi, new poster here. I’m in need of some advice regarding my current situation. In 2008 I received a bachelors degree in English. Unfortunately I did rather poorly and finished with a 2.49 GPA. I was unfocused and not at all dedicated, my heart wasn’t in it, I knew before I finished it would not take me anywhere in life, which made me care even less.

I am now wanting to apply to another university for Wildlife Biology, my true passion in life. This university requires a 2.5, but prefers a 3.0 GPA for transfer students, and I have no doubt they would deny me entry considering my collegiate record. It even makes me cringe to look at my transcripts, and I’m afraid those poor marks are going to haunt me for the rest of my life. I would do anything to attend this university, including forfeiting my English degree and having my entire record erased, or going back to my old university to retake the courses I did poorly in so they would erase the old, low marks. I know that neither is possible, which is sad considering how much we pay to attend these institutions.

So, at this point, I’m at a loss. I don’t know what I should do. There is an excellent technical school in my city, with a strong biology program. If I completed this program and boosted my GPA, would that be enough to cause the university I apply for to overlook the poor marks I made at my old university? Or will those poor grades always haunt me and prevent me from entering a Wildlife Biology program for the rest of my life? I hate to think that a few bad choices I made in my early 20’s are going to prevent me from achieving my goals.

I would also be willing to enter the new university as a non-degree seeking student, boost my GPA, and then attempt to gain entry into the program. The only positive aspect of all this is that for me, money is not an issue. I would greatly appreciate any advice anyone could give, or if anyone has been through a similar experience, I would like to hear about it. Thanks in advance.