Do I still have a chance? Forum

[realDaredevil]

Hey everyone, I'm currently a college freshman at a really good 4 year university. It is out of state from my home in MD, and it is pricey. My mom is a single mother and while her business was doing well a while ago, it's slowing and I won't be able to affford to come back here. Thus I am going to be transferring to a school back in Maryland, most likely UMD or Towson, but I've considered a community college. I also don't like where I'm going currently, which in addition because my family has been going through a difficult time, I grew distracted and because of that, my gpa suffered, I know it's a bad excuse and that I should've persevered but it is what it is. Anyway, can I still redeem myself? I will most likely be ending my freshman year with a sub 3.0 gpa, and not many credits because I withdrew from two classes (dumb move I know). How would me going to community college after a 4 year look? The community college is called CCBC and is kind of apart of UMD and Towson, so I'm assuming most credits would transfer. Assuming I bust my a$$ and and also get a good LSAT score, will my first couple years of undergrad be redeemable? Also, I am considering changing majors from economics to history (like I should've done earlier because I love history), what will that look like?

[SUPERCHEF]

Hey everyone, I'm currently a college freshman at a really good 4 year university. It is out of state from my home in MD, and it is pricey. My mom is a single mother and while her business was doing well a while ago, it's slowing and I won't be able to affford to come back here. Thus I am going to be transferring to a school back in Maryland, most likely UMD or Towson, but I've considered a community college. I also don't like where I'm going currently, which in addition because my family has been going through a difficult time, I grew distracted and because of that, my gpa suffered, I know it's a bad excuse and that I should've persevered but it is what it is. Anyway, can I still redeem myself? I will most likely be ending my freshman year with a sub 3.0 gpa, and not many credits because I withdrew from two classes (dumb move I know). How would me going to community college after a 4 year look? The community college is called CCBC and is kind of apart of UMD and Towson, so I'm assuming most credits would transfer. Assuming I bust my a$$ and and also get a good LSAT score, will my first couple years of undergrad be redeemable? Also, I am considering changing majors from economics to history (like I should've done earlier because I love history), what will that look like?

Wow, sorry to hear that. I wouldn't worry too much about your GPA, I had a garbage sophomore year b/c of personal issues and I ended out fine. I'd strongly recommend busting your ass next year in community college and try to transfer to your state flagship for your jr year, which I assume is UMD. If you have good grades next year theres no reason that can't be done. There are a few circumstances that make me think you'll end up OK in the end:
1) you can still save you overall GPA, esp. since it seems like you don't have a ton of credits from this year to drag down your GPA. If you hustle there's no reason you can't up it to a solid GPA
2) you'd have a narrative of overcoming adversity and making the most of a shitty situation
3) the LSAT arguably matters more, especially if your GPA gets to be in a decent range after 4 years. definitely set aside some time for that and grind that test prep.

TLDR: nothing that some hustle and hard work cant overcome.

also woo history

[thatblondegirl]

I ended my freshman year with around a 2.3. Turns out that my talents did not lie in the STEM field. I switched majors and graduated with a 3.6+ (LSAC dropped it a bit, but c'est la vie). Just focus on getting good grades for the next three or so years and kicking but on the LSAT and you'll be just fine.

[realDaredevil]

Wow thank you so much you guys for the words and advice! I really appreciate it! And thank you for the story of your experiences btw. I feel a lot a better about it and I will as you both said just put the pedal to the metal, study hard, prep for the LSAT, and hope for the best! Yeah I really like the idea of economics, just not the math stuff, and I now I plan on sticking to my strength and going with history thank you for the words seriously. it's cool to know this year won't hurt me too much! I'm also glad that maybe going to community college would not be a bad idea. The community college I would be going to actually has this program where after a semester of cc classes, you're eligible for the MTAP which is the Maryland trnasfer advamtage program, where basically as long as you maintain a decent gap you can be guaranteed to transfer to UMD or Towson or others. I still haven't heard back from UMD or Towson but in case I do to community college next year, that would be okay? I'm totally going to work my ass off and get the best GPA possible, but as well as a kick ass LSAT score. Thank you for the explanation list on how I still have a chance. All of what both of you said made a lot of sense and I thank you so much for it!

[RParadela]

If you are 100% set on going to law school, transferring to a state school is absolutely the best bet. Your UG prestige isn't really going to matter much for getting into law school so don't worry about that aspect. Pick an easy major that you have at least some interest and bust your ass to make sure you have as good of a GPA as possible. Join some extracurriculars and try to grab leadership roles in a couple of them (don't overdo it though). You're really young so there's plenty of time, just got to make the most of your time.

Good luck!

[Rigo]

Go to the community college and take your studies very seriously.
I have a great GPA from racking up two years of A's in community college. Best decision ever for both financial and GPA reasons.

It's not over for you. Be the comeback kid.

Also, you're young. Get a nice job after undergrad and avoid law completely.

[AJordan]

Get As and don't take debt. Do whatever you have to do to make those two things happen and you'll be just fine.

[SUPERCHEF]

Go to the community college and take your studies very seriously.
I have a great GPA from racking up two years of A's in community college. Best decision ever for both financial and GPA reasons.

It's not over for you. Be the comeback kid.

Also, you're young. Get a nice job after undergrad and avoid law completely.

hahaha also this

[Npret]

Wow thank you so much you guys for the words and advice! I really appreciate it! And thank you for the story of your experiences btw. I feel a lot a better about it and I will as you both said just put the pedal to the metal, study hard, prep for the LSAT, and hope for the best! Yeah I really like the idea of economics, just not the math stuff, and I now I plan on sticking to my strength and going with history thank you for the words seriously. it's cool to know this year won't hurt me too much! I'm also glad that maybe going to community college would not be a bad idea. The community college I would be going to actually has this program where after a semester of cc classes, you're eligible for the MTAP which is the Maryland trnasfer advamtage program, where basically as long as you maintain a decent gap you can be guaranteed to transfer to UMD or Towson or others. I still haven't heard back from UMD or Towson but in case I do to community college next year, that would be okay? I'm totally going to work my ass off and get the best GPA possible, but as well as a kick ass LSAT score. Thank you for the explanation list on how I still have a chance. All of what both of you said made a lot of sense and I thank you so much for it!

As money is a concern go to community college get As and then transfer. That way your credits won't be wasted either. Schools won't hold this against you at all.

[Monday]

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[realDaredevil]

Wow everyone, just thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for all this great and awesome feedback and advice, it really helped me and I feel a lot better about how I'm headed. That's all great advice and tips and I really enjoyed reading them and will remember them on the way to law school. As many of you said, I'm going to just focus right now and do the best I can. Law school is indeed 100% what I want to do, I always have, and it is also a great path to work in the FBI as an SA which I want to do! It was just really good stuff what you all wrote and I appreciate all of it. I think I am going to do history, because I've always enjoyed it. I was considering minoring though in philosophy, English, or poli sci, is that good? It's cool to see CC wouldn't be terrible and that my story combuned with three years of busting my ass will help me a lot! Thank you so much everyone. I have another question however. So as I said I had withdrew from two classes thus far this year. So far I have attained 10 credits and this semester would make 12, and 2 W's. However, I am in a precalculus class and it is KILLING me! It is worth 3 credits. I know that precalculus is supposed to be easy, but I just overestimated my "interest" in math, and at the time I chose to take it, I still thought I was going to be an Econ major. I recently failed an exam (it stems from having to deal with the family thing) and I don't know if I'll be able to pull it back up. Should I run the risk of withdrawing from a third class? Or risk taking an F in my transcript? Much thanks!

[Rigo]

I'd just withdraw (nonpunitively) if you're not going on that path anyways and don't need pre-calc. It's not worth an F.
It's pretty apparent school isn't going well for you. Try to finish as strong as your can, regroup, then really focus on doing well in CC.