Transfer Possibilities to Reed

racheljps
Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:34:32 +0000

Things you probably already know: you have a fairly low GPA at a community college that probably isn’t nearly as rigorous as Reed so Admissions might wonder how you’d manage Reed’s academics, transfer admissions is much more competitive at Reed than regular admission, and it seems like for transfers, Admissions cares more about recent college academics than past high school achievement.

It sounds bleak but it never hurts to give it a try. I also know that admissions has taken “risks” in the past on some transfer students who didn’t think they had a shot, so who knows? Your GPA could possibly be overcome by some amazing recommendations and essays, a good interview, possibly high test scores and a good record in HS, or anything else that might indicate that this is a fluke. If you think you might do better than you did in HS on your SAT/ACT or SAT IIs, retake them. Obviously, if you’ve never taken them, you should.

Depending on when your term ends, I don’t know if your spring transcript with your improved GPA would arrive before they make admissions decisions (April). Also, to be very blunt, your explanation of special circumstances kind of seems like you’re trying too hard to sound smart and ends up kind of making light of some serious stuff that no doubt was a huge contributing factor to your grades. I would take emeraldkitty’s advice and be more clear and concise. Also, you can address the lack of challenging courses/motivation in your essay for why you want to leave your current institution (which shouldn’t strictly be ragging on your CC but also demonstrating why Reed is a better fit).

If you don’t get in, you could retake the classes you did poorly in, try to get all As and reapply next year. I am a transfer student who ended up waiting a year to apply so I could better “prove” my academic potential. Admissions likes to see that you have continued interest and continued upward progress.

Just to be on the safe side, I’d also add another school to your list that you know you would have nearly guaranteed acceptance to. All 3 of the schools you are applying to are pretty competitive and even more so for transfers. If you want to be in the Portland area, you could try Pacific University. They are a less competitive LAC with a good English program.