Upward trend and transferring Forum

[RickyRoe]

I was below median fall semester at a T2. I had a good excuse as to why, which I won't go into as it isn't relevant, but I think I can rebound and finish top 10% next semester with some hard work. Would a school take into account both semesters equally, or would I be able to explain why my (hypothetical) spring semester is more indicative of my abilities going forward?

Also, assuming I can convince a school to take me as a transfer, would those fall grades be wiped off of my record? I know the new school would just consider then as Pass/Fail, but would employers still ask for my 1L transcript? I would still be able to finish with a much higher class rank, but would my fall grades still haunt me and to what extent?

And before anyone has the chance, I am not going to drop out. It isn't costing me much because of private scholarships that can be transferred to a new school, and I am not one to give up after just one semester.

[stillwater]

I was below median fall semester at a T2. I had a good excuse as to why, which I won't go into as it isn't relevant, but I think I can rebound and finish top 10% next semester with some hard work. Would a school take into account both semesters equally, or would I be able to explain why my (hypothetical) spring semester is more indicative of my abilities going forward?

Also, assuming I can convince a school to take me as a transfer, would those fall grades be wiped off of my record? I know the new school would just consider then as Pass/Fail, but would employers still ask for my 1L transcript? I would still be able to finish with a much higher class rank, but would my fall grades still haunt me and to what extent?

And before anyone has the chance, I am not going to drop out. It isn't costing me much because of private scholarships that can be transferred to a new school, and I am not one to give up after just one semester.

bro, upward trends are myths in any admissions process. and, yes, they will simply regard your 1L GPA as a whole.

[hephaestus]

Ah yes, the work harder for top 10% trick.

[a11 1n]

Where are you looking to transfer? I would say t14 is out of the question, but a tier one school would likely take you if you can bring your overall grades (both semesters combined) close to top third. Its not to say that admissions will overlook your legitimate reason for wanting to transfer, but you need to pass the first round of dings based on GPA/Rank that they likely administer strictly for efficiency purposes. My conjecture is that means being above median at least, and as close to top third as possible. Someone may be able to refute this.

With that said, what is your reason for wanting to transfer? Your new school will just give you the credits they give to incoming transfer students which roughly equates the credits the 1L class at the school received. There will likely be no record of your performance at the T2 school on your new school's transcripts, but you will need to have copies of your transcript from your T2 school for employers should they request it. So, if your reason for transferring is to try and mask your poor performance 1L year, I would say that is a bad reason to try and transfer. You could just as easily explain the circumstances that led you to do so poorly in cover letters or interviews if need be.

Now, if you have regional preferences for flipping to a T1 school, that is another matter, especially considering your transferable scholarship. But transferring just for the sake of moving up a few spots is generally ill-advised.

[RickyRoe]

I realize the "upward trend" is a myth in the admissions process, but I wasn't sure if it was so in the transfer process since the school does not have to report GPA's for transfers and therefore they do not factor into the rankings. I would be transferring to a T1 school that I was admitted to but wasn't able to attend at the time for personal reasons (which also lead to the low GPA) that are no longer present. Basically I should have just taken the year off, but nothing I can do about that now.

And yes, ImNoScar, I do realize how the thread was going to sound to some which is why I made it clear that it was just hypothetical for now. I am by no means banking on this plan, just curious if there was a small chance or no chance at transferring.