AboutKat Expertise I can help with anything from freshman/transfer admissions to financial aid, from coursework to campus life. I'm extremely familiar with the College of Liberal Arts, but I know a fair share about other colleges as well.
Experience I'm a senior with a double major in English and Government, and I'm also completing the Liberal Arts Honors program.
Expert: Kat Date: 4/6/2008 Subject: Transferring to UT (undergrad transfer)
Question QUESTION: I was denied from UT last year as a high school student probably since I was in the top 25%. Anyhow, I ended up at Texas A&M with full intent to transfer (my parents wouldn't allow CAP for some personal reasons). My first semester, I took calc 1, english 1, floral design (this was forced upon me as a scholarship requirement along with stlc and music), music and human experience, and stlc learning class. I made an A in calc 1, english 1, stlc, and music but I ended up with a C in floral design (which was my stupidity of underestimating a course as a first time college student). So, my overall GPA was a 3.567 first semester. Also, I had 13 hours at a community college as dual credit with a GPA of 3.539. Oh, and 12 hours from AP credits. So, they are going to only review my first semester at A&M to make my decision... i'm a bit scared since they might not think i've done enough hours within my current school to be considered a strong applicant. I am currently taking 12 hours this Spring semester and will make at least a 3.5 gpa this semester, hopefully a 4.0 (not like it will count though I think). I tried to get used to College Station, don't really dig it. I enjoy city environments and I have too much Longhorn pride to be here. Also, it's far too conservative for me over here, i'm a very liberal type of person.
I haven't joined any specific organizations at TAMU due to lack of time, although I have participated in random events at times. I've went to a few meetings for some organizations, but left those out since i'm not really fully into them. The reason for the lack of time is because I own a business which requires my full attention.
I'm not sure if they'll consider this, but i've been running an extremely successful online business since February 2007. I generally spend anywhere from 25-50 hours a week to keep it going strong. I did emphasize in my essays that it really helped me become really disciplined because I had to learn to manage my time effectively between school, business, the gym, and friends.
So, what do you think my chances are though? I applied to undeclared natural sciences and liberal arts to better my chances. I'm just really scared, the thought of being at A&M for the next 3 years if i'm denied now is killing me and lurks my mind for hours on a daily basis. I've made some great friends here, but overall I need to feel comfortable with my environment and A&M does not make me feel comfortable. After visiting Austin various times this and last semester, i'm completely taken by it.
Any insight is appreciated, sorry for the bad grammar and broken thoughts, its 4:30 am :-p.
Thanks!
ANSWER: Hey Tim,
I can totally understand your feelings about A&M v. UT. Why do you think I'm a Longhorn? :) They really are very different environments, and I'm sure you would love Austin.
Now, I'm not an admissions counselor so you can't take my word for 100% gospel truth. I'm just going by what I know from friends' experiences and my own experiences with admissions.
I would say that it's definitely in your favor that you are an in-state transfer from a similarly large-sized public university. UT tends to save most of it's room for admissions for in-state residents, so you've automatically got an edge there. Going to A&M also suggests that you know how to handle yourself at a BIG university like UT.
You said you were undeclared NatSciences and LibArts? Is that an either/or type request? The two colleges have very different standards for admissions. Natural Sciences is one of the most competitive schools to get into (right behind Engineering and Business), and I've heard that their "cut-off" transfer GPA is a 3.2. Liberal Arts is notoriously easier (since many students begin there and then figure out where to go), but I'm not sure what their "cut-off" would be. I suspect a 3.0, but I'm not certain. Anyway, by either system you seem to be in a good position.
I hope you mentioned a lot about your business, because that is a GREAT quality in a transfer student!!! UT gets very excited about "young entrepreneurship", because it shows maturity, ambition, and potential success after graduation. It is definitely a downside that you did not get too involved in A&M, but I would think your business would make up for a lot of that. (Besides, surely any admissions counselor with a heart would understand how hard it would be to be social in College Station when you're really an Austinite at heart!)
I definitely think you have a really good shot at getting in; you've got all your bases covered. Most of the time I think it just depends on the number and quality of the other transfers you're competing against.
I do know that UT just mailed out acceptance letters this past week for freshmen and transfers, so you should find out VERY soon what the decision was. I wish you a lot of luck!!!
- Kat
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: It gives you two choices, a first and second choice. I chose liberal arts for my first choice, and natural sciences for my second.
Ah one more thing, I know I didn't get involved enough, but I did participate in random events and jotted that down. Whenever someone asked me to help out at an event, I was definitely there for the most part. I hope that helps me out a bit, i'm a bit freaked!
I just hope they realize how much I would really love to be a proud Longhorn. I can just see myself at EVERY GAME POSSIBLE! lol i've already made a deal with myself to buy every piece of UT apparel possible the second I get in (if I get in!)!
I didn't send any recommendation letters, do you think that will really affect me? I was reading somewhere that they're important, but I was told otherwise. I don't think I have any professors who know me enough to really give the admissions office something to consider, only some basics that they could say about any individual.
Answer Well, I'm not sure about the recommendation letters. I know they're kind of important for freshman admissions, but I have no idea regarding transfer. I could really see it going either way . . . but I'm sure as long as you have that good GPA it probably speaks to your ability to perform well academically as well as any recommendation letter would. Also, perhaps being at a large school like A&M they understand its very difficult for the average (and not so happy) student to build a personal relationship with a professor, so it would be hard to get letters.
I think it's also probably great that you have such Longhorn spirit, as opposed to Austin spirit. I think UT prefers students who want to come here for the school more than even the big city. :)
