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Hey guys,

I am currently at T3 school in the Midwest. I have a 3.62 GPA after the first semester. Unfortunately, my school does not rank until after the second semester, but our median GPA typically falls between 2.7 to 2.9.

What are my chances at GW, GULC and Vandy?

Your GPA is right below the median for GULC, and above the median for the other two. All three take pretty good numbers of transfers. Vandy and GULC both have EA programs, so you could try and get in that way. Where do you want to be long-term? DC, Midwest, or somewhere else?

My parents are currently living outside DC, so my ultimate goal is to end up around the southern east coast.

Anonymous User wrote:My parents are currently living outside DC, so my ultimate goal is to end up around the southern east coast.

I agree with Pennoyer's analysis of your chances at the schools, so I'll just add that the "southern east coast" sweeps up several different legal markets with different kinds of opportunities: the Southeast (Georgia, the deep South, maybe SC), the Carolinas (SC is very insular; NC has a lot of local schools/talent so it's kinda hard to break in), and the DC-Maryland-Virginia area. For everything other than DMV, I think Vandy is an excellent choice (and may even place better than GULC for the Deep South). For DMV, obviously GULC is your best bet, but I think Vandy and GW are on parity for DC options. Overall, assuming you'd be fine with any of those areas, I think Vandy is a good combination of attainable and opening doors in a bunch of markets. If you get into GULC, though, I personally would go there.

decimalsanddollars wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:My parents are currently living outside DC, so my ultimate goal is to end up around the southern east coast.

I agree with Pennoyer's analysis of your chances at the schools, so I'll just add that the "southern east coast" sweeps up several different legal markets with different kinds of opportunities: the Southeast (Georgia, the deep South, maybe SC), the Carolinas (SC is very insular; NC has a lot of local schools/talent so it's kinda hard to break in), and the DC-Maryland-Virginia area. For everything other than DMV, I think Vandy is an excellent choice (and may even place better than GULC for the Deep South). For DMV, obviously GULC is your best bet, but I think Vandy and GW are on parity for DC options. Overall, assuming you'd be fine with any of those areas, I think Vandy is a good combination of attainable and opening doors in a bunch of markets. If you get into GULC, though, I personally would go there.

Thank you for analysis, it is much appreciated. In terms of acceptance, do I have any shot at Vandy or GULC? I know I am around their median GPA range, but coming from a T3 and no class rank is a disadvantage. I am well beyond the 75th percentile at GW, but being at a T3 is, I am assuming, again a disadvantage.

Anonymous User wrote:

decimalsanddollars wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:My parents are currently living outside DC, so my ultimate goal is to end up around the southern east coast.

I agree with Pennoyer's analysis of your chances at the schools, so I'll just add that the "southern east coast" sweeps up several different legal markets with different kinds of opportunities: the Southeast (Georgia, the deep South, maybe SC), the Carolinas (SC is very insular; NC has a lot of local schools/talent so it's kinda hard to break in), and the DC-Maryland-Virginia area. For everything other than DMV, I think Vandy is an excellent choice (and may even place better than GULC for the Deep South). For DMV, obviously GULC is your best bet, but I think Vandy and GW are on parity for DC options. Overall, assuming you'd be fine with any of those areas, I think Vandy is a good combination of attainable and opening doors in a bunch of markets. If you get into GULC, though, I personally would go there.

Thank you for analysis, it is much appreciated. In terms of acceptance, do I have any shot at Vandy or GULC? I know I am around their median GPA range, but coming from a T3 and no class rank is a disadvantage. I am well beyond the 75th percentile at GW, but being at a T3 is, I am assuming, again a disadvantage.

I think you have some semblance of a shot at both, but improving your GPA by even half a point would significantly increase your chances. I also think the EA option for both schools improves your overall odds, but your mileage may vary, and it's tough to finalize an app with grades that you're worried are a near miss. As for rank not being finalized, does either school regularly take transfers from your school? If so, they're likely familiar with the curve and can evaluate you based on their expectation of your rank.