question about admission standards Forum

[ahmawad07]

Hello everybody

I graduated high school 2007 and went on to a junior college where I earned my AA degree after I transferred to the University of San Francisco a school that I loved with all my heart. But my father lost his job and couldn't continue paying the tuition. Then I transfered to the University of illinois in Springfield to continue my studies. An just recently 2 days ago I won a fellowship to intern in the white house. This would mean that I would have to transfer AGAIN to my 3rd school. How is this going to look when I apply to law school. Will the fact that I transferred 3 times effect my admission ?

thank you

[merichard87]

How long is the internship? Are you required to transfer only if you want to remain in school that semester? Could you just sit out of school while you intern?

[ahmawad07]

The internship is for 1 year and it will hurt me to much to leave school for a whole year.

[merichard87]

Well if thats the case, having 3 schools on your transcript is pretty unavoidable so it doesnt really matter how schools will see it. It is what it is.

[tea_drinker]

Can I ask what fellowship this is? I am pretty surprised you got a fellowship working in the White House given you don't have your Bachelor degree yet. I mean no offense. Just most fellowship working in the White House that I know are very competitive, and past fellows possess at least a master degree of some sort.

[ahmawad07]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/internships

[noname12345]

Yeah I agree with the above...especially considering you attend UI-Springfield. No offense, its just that I've known a few people who've done fellowships at the White House so I'm pretty familiar with how competitive the program is.

Edit: after seeing the link, perhaps yours is a different program.

[ran12]

A WH fellowship and the DC experience are things that are hard to pass up but just wondering where exactly you would be attending school in DC. Gtown and GW prob dont look to kindly to you having gone to 3 schools already. The DC school you go to will be the 4th school as far as law schools are concerned. Also, is this internship paid? I went to GW for undergrad and I've rarely heard of people getting paid for an internship.

[ahmawad07]

I will be attending the University of District of Columbia and no it will not be paid. The whole point of my effort to seek a separate opinion is because not many people receive an opportunity to work in this presidential administration. After I graduate I plan on attending UC hastings.

[ran12]

If you do well on the LSAT, have a solid GPA, and explain your situation for transferring so many times I'm sure you have a good shot at law schools. Honestly I've never heard of a situation like this before so I can't say what would happen but you seem to have very legit reasons for transferring. FYI, some law schools do ask why you transferred. Also, if you're worried about how law schools may perceive this and don't mind living in DC for a while you could always try to parlay the WH gig to a full time job in another part of govt, then apply after a few years of working or to a PT program. Gtown, GW, AU, GM all have PT programs.

[DukeCornell]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/internships

Hey....I did this also. We should chat!

[T6Hopeful]

If you do well on the LSAT, have a solid GPA, and explain your situation for transferring so many times I'm sure you have a good shot at law schools. Honestly I've never heard of a situation like this before so I can't say what would happen but you seem to have very legit reasons for transferring. FYI, some law schools do ask why you transferred. Also, if you're worried about how law schools may perceive this and don't mind living in DC for a while you could always try to parlay the WH gig to a full time job in another part of govt, then apply after a few years of working or to a PT program. Gtown, GW, AU, GM all have PT programs.

+1. Of course it doesn't NORMALLY look good. But you sound more like you've been getting through difficult situations, than being a dilettante who can't commit to school. Just explain this very well, and work it into a nice diversity statement. Good luck, that's a very nice soft to have.

[Norwood]

in order to earn a degree at a school don't you need about 2 years worth of units at the degree granting institution? Something to keep in mind, unless you're already planning on having 2 years left of school.