On a recent trip to Verizon to have my cable box upgraded, I had a chat with the representative while the technician was fixing my receiver. The representative had just finished her first year at a nearby state university. Being always inquisitive about the college selection process, I asked her why she chose that school. It turns out she was denied admissions to New York University (NYU), her first choice. Disappointed, she attended the state school with hopes of transferring. However, she was not doing well, earning a 2.5 Grade Point Average (GPA) (on a 4.0 scale). Undoubtedly not good enough for NYU. I asked her why she was not doing well? She explained that the environment was not a good fit, she didn’t like her professors and she hated commuting. Not valid reasons for underperforming and certainly will not elicit any sympathy from the Admissions Office at NYU. This young lady was not the first with the idea of improving her academic credentials to reapply to her top choice. I have often said to students, “Companies looking to hire recent graduates are not looking at your freshman year in college. They are analyzing where you graduated from, your final GPA, and the extracurricular activities or work experience your garnered.” Or said another way, companies are looking at the finish line, not the starting line. In the case of the Verizon worker, she did not have a plan to win the race, but I do. Let me explain.
Accept it: You did not get into your first-choice college. You are upset, disappointed, and frustrated. All perfectly normal and acceptable feelings. However, it must be temporary and used as motivation for the next phase.
Map it: Work with someone (like me) to help strategize your next move. Although you will attend another college next year, you don’t have to give up your wish to enroll at your dream college. View your freshmen year as a stepping stone.
Plan it:
Identify – Among the colleges you were offered admission, choose the one that will align best with your top choice. I can help you narrow down the selection and find the right fit.
Enroll – Carefully decide on the courses you will take by referring to the catalog of your top choice. Identify first-year courses required that match options at your college. These classes will provide two functions. First, you will be taking subjects that are most likely transferable and second; it will demonstrate to the transfer admissions committee that you can handle similar types of courses.
Focus – You will need to earn 30 credits or two semesters of coursework and gain a 3.5 or better grade point average (GPA). This academic level is challenging, so you need to concentrate your efforts and resources to this task. Avoid the parties and events as much as possible.
Meet – Introduce yourself to your professors and get to know them. You will need one of them to write a recommendation. No, they do not bite; they understand some students will transfer and are interested in your overall success.
Update – When reapplying as a transfer, make sure to update your academic profile from when you attended high school. Reach out to the admissions counselor who reviewed your freshman file and asks for the transfer counselor contact information (often different individuals). Touch base with the transfer counselor and inform them you are applying. Demonstrating interest never hurts an applicant, and I believe it can often help. Also, you will have to write a new essay (which I will review for you) so budget your time accordingly.
Does all this guarantee acceptance? No, but it is your best chance of attending your dream college. Worst case scenario, if you are not accepted, you have a good grade point average and can stay or find another transfer school. There are more than 3,000 college and universities in the country and many that are perfect for you.
One final thought, graduate school is an option if denied a second time. Do well as an undergraduate, and you can still attend your dream college as a graduate or doctoral student. Often the post-baccalaureate programs have an even better reputation and options than the undergraduate programs. Just think of NYU, their undergraduate business program is terrific, but the status of the Stern Business School rests with their MBA program. Just a thought. Until next time.
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