<p>Hi, I have an unusual situation and am looking for advice. I studied 3 years at my previous institution before realizing that I want to be in an engineering program. </p>
<p>My university did not offer the program and it was too late to apply for the dual degree program with the local engineering school. I wanted to transfer to the engineering school close by because it is one of the top programs in the country, but I needed to wait until I could claim residency in order to afford tuition. I decided to take the rest of my Economics degree requirements and additional physics and math courses with the last year of my scholarship. </p>
<p>I did not take my final writing requirement course because if I graduated and completed my BA it would be extremely difficult for me to obtain financial aid for a second undergraduate degree. I recently moved back to my home state because my father had a major heart attack and I want to remain close by to care for him. There is an engineering school here that I would like to attend and I wouldn’t need to wait until I am 24 to qualify for residency.</p>
<p>However, my previous college has a policy where if you don’t complete your degree within 3 semesters time of reaching senior status you are “permanently dismissed” from the school. I know many schools require a statement of good standing from previous institutions, but this school luckily only “recommends it for some” on the common data set and doesn’t require it for the application. Obviously this will be stated on my transcript, though. </p>
<p>Any advice on how to explain this to admissions officers? Should I talk to the dean of my previous school about petitioning to change this status, even though I don’t want to complete my degree there?</p>
<p>I am also taking all the physics, math, and organic chemistry prerequisite courses at the community college here in the time before the term I intend to enroll. </p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any insight and advice!</p>
<p>P.S.
I know many people think it’s completely ridiculous to transfer to another program after almost completing one, but it took my a lot of exploration to figure myself out and determine what I want in life. I’m completely confident in my decision to pursue engineering and I’m totally okay with going the unconventional route, as long as it leads to me being happy with my career. I plan to apply for the fast track BS/MS program and commission as an officer in the Army as a chemical engineer after graduation.</p>