Transfer from JHU with 3.1 GPA?

Transfer Students
1

Hi CC,

Currently a freshman student here at JHU with a 3.1 GPA (although I took mostly sophomore level classes, such as Calc III, Modern Physics, Organic Chem, Spanish). [Note: The average GPA for freshmen was a 3.18 according to the school paper]. My ECs are OK, including club involvement, an on-campus job and research (but I don’t think research mentor will be happy to write me a transfer recommendation)

My plan was to originally be premed, but I realized it’s probably not for me, and that a 3.1 GPA will not get me into med school. Hopkins hasn’t given me a direction on what I want to do in my life (not that many opportunities given to explore), so I will just try for a high-earning job.
I decided I will try for a job on wall street, but Hopkins isn’t the best feeder school for that.

Furthermore, I feel like I’m just barely tolerating the school, (and not enjoying college, as many of my high school friends are elsewhere with happier social lives and higher GPAs than mine).
As to why I’m barely tolerating the school:

  1. Grade Deflation (Combination of low curves and the fact that EVERYBODY tries(no slackers artificially making class easier)). I study pretty hard, but it seems like to get above a 3.1, I’ll need to cut back on sleep time :frowning:
  2. Lack of Social Scene/Life (I’m ok with just hanging out in my dorm with my neighbors, but it feels like none of the ‘3.5+’ kids ever go out, and that the ‘chronic partiers’ are the ones with extremely easy classes and/or close to being on academic probation)
  3. General Lack of Empathy/Happiness (95% of the students here seem unhappy/complain all the time)

There’s a few more things I could talk about, but the above 3 points are some of my biggest reasons as to why I am considering transferring)

I’m okay with tolerating the school for 4 years, but on the other hand, I don’t want to try the transfer process with a 3.1 GPA (potentially taking a lot of time from my spring semester if I get rejected everywhere). I don’t really plan on ‘downgrading’ between tiers of schools either, so if a 3.1 GPA isn’t good enough, I won’t transfer. BTW, I wouldn’t need Financial Aid if I was an applicant.

What do you guys think? Am I just overreacting from my first semester in college? Do I just need to work harder?

Any suggestion/comment/anecdote helps! Thanks!

2

You’re overreacting. Took about the same schedule as you first semester and did even shi****** but got a 3.5 the next semester and around that every semester since. Covered grades are bae because that bad semester is completely erased and employers and grad schools that have asked for my transcripts only see the good semesters haha. Mix up your routine and ditch the old ways that were holding you back.

Also, if you’re engineering you’ll have no problem getting interviews with some MM/BB banks if you can get around a 3.4 - 3.5+. There’s also a special class that almost all people who take get some good wall street offers; here’s the link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-21/steve-hanke-s-finance-course-has-wall-street-clamoring-for-grads.

PM me for specifics or any questions