Bombed-> Military/Turned life around: Chance @ U of Washington?

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Hey Guys,
I Xposted on the UW forum (Thx seatac!), but could use some more input.
I've been lurking for a while, and have seen a lot of chance threads with similar ones/searched for them, but my circumstances are kind of unique, so I hope you'll forgive one more.</p>

<p>Back in 06/07, I first was going to college at a state school, but due to a bunch of circumstances (06 crash, family crisis/bankruptcies, etc), I screwed up, and did horribly in my freshman year, like 1.8 after my first year. I left because my life was a mess, and enlisted in the Navy.</p>

<p>I served for 4 years as a Nuclear Reactor Operator on one of the US Submarines (Years of training in physics/engineering), etc, until an injury/disability forced me out. It's an extremely demanding academic program, and I excelled in it (Top 25%). Sucks because Nuclear Power Plant operators have a great career, but that wasn't an option anymore. However, I do love finance/business, so I am pursuing a business with conc in finance degree.</p>

<p>I then have been going to a Community College for the past year on the GI bill, and have a 3.9 (one non-4.0) GPA here. I want to transfer in the Fall (I Complete the Transfer Associates in Spring), but I really wanted to know if there was any hope of getting into UW-Seattle, UW-Bothell, or UW-Tacoma, or If I'm destined for a much less prestigious state public university like Central Washington U.</p>

<p>I haven't taken the WSA yet, but I received 750 on the SAT-Writing when I took it in HS, and have always been very good at standardized test taking/essays (2200 SAT 7 years ago). I expect strong/above average scores. UW itself says I -can- send my SATs from 2005, but if I have 90 credits, will that even be looked at?</p>

<p>tldr;
Bombed College first time around 7+ years ago. (like 1.9 GPA)
Enlisted in Navy as Submarine Nuclear Reactor operator before injury/disability, excelled.
Community College for 4 qtrs, 3.9 GPA here(one class not 4.0), like a 2.9/3.0 overall combining previous ('07)year.
Transferring in Fall
Possible at all for any of the 3 main UW business programs?</p>

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<p>UW was one of my first choices as well, but since I’m out of state (California), I chose to stick with the UC system. From what I read, UW has a relatively high admit for community college transfer from Washington state. I am in the same boat as you; low Freshman year grades; joined the military; high grades afterwards. However, the 2.9 GPA is a bit low, I would say 60-75 percent. Make sure you include a well written story about your perseverance through hard times in order to achieve an education.</p>

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<p>Thanks for your response,
I know my GPA is low, but I can’t raise it any more than I did. I still have 2 more quarters left, by the time I finish my AA transfer degree, I will have raised it to around a 3.2/3.3. I could wait to apply until I have completely finished my degree, and then apply with the higher GPA, but I can’t wait a full year between schools, the VA will not be happy about putting my degree on a hold that long. In all the business pre-req classes, I have a 3.98 GPA, so I am hoping that will help.
It is really tough because Most of the other colleges have a “must confirm” date of application of May, but UW doesn’t send out responses until June/July. I don’t want to have turned the others down, and then be declined for UW and then be out of luck.
I’ve been working on my essay for some time, I’ve been focusing on the essay and saying how rather than let my disability act an as excuse, I used it as a springboard for a new/promising future.</p>

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<p>Talk about any leadership experience you had during your time as a shipmate. Did you receive E-4/NCO rank? Did you have subordinates? Can you relate your leadership experience while in the navy to a promising career in business?</p>

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<p>Yeah, I was an E-5 (NCO, PO 2nd class). Not many direct subordinates (Every nuke is an NCO), but we had to lead the regular sailors in casualty/normal situations. I actually was selected to manage business/travel accounts for the Admiral and officers while I was awaiting my disability decision (got an admirals commendation on it). I made sure to discuss those points as well.
At the time, I was like “Crap”, because before that I was working for 2 hours a day and then getting to go home (It was awesome). Looking back, though, it looks fantastic on resumes and on letters like this.
Thanks again for your help. You mentioned your own service, what did you mention on your letters about your military experience? </p>

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<p>I didn’t mention my disability on my admissions. Although, I am going to ask a counselor about it. I was a Marine, and I discussed troop welfare and the importance of keeping Marines happy and working as a team. I also talked about ethical decisions I’ve made in personal and military choices. Specifically I was a QA inspector for avionics equipment, and I mentioned the integrity that an inspector has to constantly maintain. Otherwise, without taking the position of QA seriously (especially in aircraft), pilots are endangered… I noted times when people in charge of me asked me to verify large amounts of electronics, and how I was disciplined for not meeting their deadlines, because my job required such an attention to detail. I said that I was still proud that I chose safety over getting chewed out.</p>

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<p>Furthermore, my goals are much like yours. I want to become a CPA, and maybe start my own firm. I’ve applied to UCSB - using the TAG system (automatic acceptance if I maintain my grades) for Economics/Accounting. I also applied to UC Davis and UC Berkeley for Economics. And, I am planning on going to graduate school as well. I considered living in Seattle myself, because Socal can get annoying. If I do get admitted to Berkeley, I will be more than willing to give you the specifics on my admissions process. I will know on April 25 the decision.</p>

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<p>I initially was hesitant about including the disability that led to my discharge, but I feel like it would be difficult to explain the career change otherwise. “I could have made 80++/year operating a nuke plant, but decided to go back to undergrad just because”. I made sure to discuss the importance of leadership, the broad cultural diversity a military life entails (Thanks for the idea!).</p>

<p>I would -love- to go to UW-Seattle, but I really would also be thrilled to go to either of the UW Branch campuses, Bothell and Tacoma (I heard they are easier to get into). The main reason is that nearly every other major public campus (Washington State, Central, Western) in Washington has a “must confirm acceptance” by around May 1, but the three UW business schools do not even offer acceptance until May/June/July. I feel like I must be reading it wrong, because it just seems so foreign to me that it is done that way. I just don’t want to be stranded by missing my window to confirm acceptance to the other colleges, only to be denied by all 3 UW schools, and having to wait months/year for the next acceptance cycle.</p>

<p>I have family in Socal, and I do know what you mean about living there. I’ve lived/been stationed all around the country, and I -love- Seattle. If you end up choosing post-grad work, I highly recommend it. Absolutely fantastic city.</p>

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<p>I visited Seattle last summer, and spent about the whole day in the university district. The UW campus is huge. Might work in Seattle for a year or two after I get my undergrad to establish residency. Then I could apply for the MBA program since they cut tuition in half for veterans. I would Call about the deadlines. </p>