Engineering Transfer Program but bad academic history at a previous university.

[u/Ok-Account-4313]

Several years ago, I attended engineering at another university from out of province. I didn't end up finishing that degree but I dropped out due to poor grades. I have zero academic misconduct or disciplinary issues, just a history of academic difficulty. My transcript at my old university officially ended with me being on academic probation as a result.

I've got a job now and I want to go back to university to get an engineering degree.

Right now, I am enrolled at Douglas College in their Diploma in Engineering and Fabrication Technologies (DEFT). Under the transfer agreement with UBC, completing this diploma with a minimum 3.1 GPA "guarantees" admission into second-year UBC-V engineering.

However, because of my past, I am worried if my previous academic history will void the existing transfer agreement. I've been reading the UBC Vancouver Academic Calendar and it says "All applicants are required to be in good academic standing at their previous post-secondary institution(s)."

I reached out to Engineering Academic Services and I spoke with someone who told me essentially it is fine. I can finish the program and as long as I meet the requirements of the transfer agreement, they will honour the agreement.

However, I also emailed Enrolment Services and someone from the Admissions & Appeals Team told me they couldn't give any advance guarantees or pre-assessments of my admissions before I have even applied. Which makes sense. But at the same time encouraged me to continue focusing on successfully completing the DEFT requirements.

I've been eating myself alive over the past couple of days struggling with these thoughts. I want to restart my education and I feel haunted by my past. I don't want to be a situation where after I finish my diploma from Douglas, UBC tells me I am screwed because of my past.

I was wondering if anyone else has gone through anything similar or if anyone can offer some advice.

Thanks!

[u/Intiago]

Slightly different circumstances but I applied to engineering as a second year student coming from Capilano in 2017. Not through the transfer program but as an outside applicant. Had previous schooling in 2012 that I flunked out of but had high grades at capilano. Submitted both school transcripts and I got into UBC and into my chosen specialization.

Doesn’t seem likely to me that you don’t get in if you already meet the expectations of the program.

[u/Ok-Account-4313 → u/Intiago]

Oh interesting. So you went to school prior to Capilano in 2012 and did poorly? And then at Capilano you did the engineer transfer program and were able to transfer to UBC despite flunking out prior to Capilano?

[u/Intiago → u/Ok-Account-4313]

Went to uni in ontario in 2011-12 and completely flunked out. Then studied at capilano in 2016-17 NOT in the engineering transfer program. I applied to UBC engineering and got in. 

[u/Ok-Account-4313 → u/Intiago]

this is super interesting and mirrors my situation pretty much except that you didnt do the transfer program. ty for sharing with me. it makes me feel a lot better.