3.05 CGPA/175/URM/unusual circumstances
Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:17 pm
Hi guys,
I just wanted a bit of advice regarding my situation. I have 3.05 CGPA but let me explain further. I attended the university of toronto straight out high school in 2004. Long story short, I was not ready, I was immature and I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I had no business being in school. At the same time my parents were finally solidifying their separation and they ended up moving out of the province where my siblings and I were. My mom moved to another province and my Dad moved back to our home country in Africa. This left me devastated and very depressed. I really messed up my first year and a half of undergrad (I'm talking like 4 Fs, multiple D's and C's) and was suspended for fourth months and put on academic probation. <- this is why my CGPA will never reflect my ability
Fast forward 5 years after having to find full time work and my own place and support myself, I realized there was a glass ceiling to how high I could go in the work force with only a high school diploma. I decided to get back into school and finsh my degree. My first semester back in Winter 2012, I got a 3.9 GPA which gave me the confidence I needed to know I could really get somewhere in life. I've stayed consistent for the most part with my sessional GPA's ranging from 3.3-3.9. I took the lsat this June and got A 175, but I was planning on retaking to aim for a 180 (too ambitious?).
I'm a URM splitter with a lot of soft factors: 13 years work experience (started at 15 and have worked every since)...worked at law firm (traffic tix and crim law) as admin, worked for my father who was an immigration lawyer, retail, grocery stores, collections, admin for my aunt's medico-legal practice in England, interned for PR company, have traveled solo a lot, professional singer, event planner, worked on residence as TA, research assistant for Prof, etc.
I am obviously going to write an addendum for my first failed attempt at university and ask that the university only consider my grades from my return onwards.....When I don't factor in my first year and a half of grades, my CGPA at it's highest will be a 3.55. What are my chances at Harvard? I really want to go to Harvard but also see NYU, Georgetown, U Penn, and Columbia as back ups. Sorry for the long story just wanted to give a clear picture.
I just wanted a bit of advice regarding my situation. I have 3.05 CGPA but let me explain further. I attended the university of toronto straight out high school in 2004. Long story short, I was not ready, I was immature and I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I had no business being in school. At the same time my parents were finally solidifying their separation and they ended up moving out of the province where my siblings and I were. My mom moved to another province and my Dad moved back to our home country in Africa. This left me devastated and very depressed. I really messed up my first year and a half of undergrad (I'm talking like 4 Fs, multiple D's and C's) and was suspended for fourth months and put on academic probation. <- this is why my CGPA will never reflect my ability
Fast forward 5 years after having to find full time work and my own place and support myself, I realized there was a glass ceiling to how high I could go in the work force with only a high school diploma. I decided to get back into school and finsh my degree. My first semester back in Winter 2012, I got a 3.9 GPA which gave me the confidence I needed to know I could really get somewhere in life. I've stayed consistent for the most part with my sessional GPA's ranging from 3.3-3.9. I took the lsat this June and got A 175, but I was planning on retaking to aim for a 180 (too ambitious?).
I'm a URM splitter with a lot of soft factors: 13 years work experience (started at 15 and have worked every since)...worked at law firm (traffic tix and crim law) as admin, worked for my father who was an immigration lawyer, retail, grocery stores, collections, admin for my aunt's medico-legal practice in England, interned for PR company, have traveled solo a lot, professional singer, event planner, worked on residence as TA, research assistant for Prof, etc.
I am obviously going to write an addendum for my first failed attempt at university and ask that the university only consider my grades from my return onwards.....When I don't factor in my first year and a half of grades, my CGPA at it's highest will be a 3.55. What are my chances at Harvard? I really want to go to Harvard but also see NYU, Georgetown, U Penn, and Columbia as back ups. Sorry for the long story just wanted to give a clear picture.
