<p>Hello!</p>
<p>First I would like to explain that this may (or may not) be a unique situation so I have no idea what to expect.</p>
<p>I want badly and have wanted badly to get into Harvard or Cornell since I was in my young teenage years but given my situation (gonna explain here in a moment) I don't know how feasible or perhaps challenging this really is so I appeal to you all for some insight.</p>
<p>My high school years were rough. Many factors worked against me instead of helping me. Examples are bad public schools, moving all the time with my father (navy), parents that stunted your dreams rather then support them, terrible neighborhoods, graduating through a work program instead of standard graduation (still a HSD). Horrible/incomplete transcripts (not trying to throw a pity party at all.) But I am a dedicated and highly intelligent fellow I believe. I read and study all the time subjects I did not learn in school. I am now 25. I don't even have an idea how to get a GPA out of my incomplete transcripts. I have never took the SAT, and sadly am pretty dirt poor and been that way since I can remember. I KNOW that there is got to be a way to get into one of those two Universities but I am really needing a little guidance. Perhaps you can tell me what I can do to convince these places to even consider such a black sheep? I completely KNOW I can live up to their standards and excel with flying colors if even given a chance at a chance to get in, but I want to be completely prepared before I even dare attempt. Any advice that you can give me?</p>