CC transfer to UT Austin, Rice, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Columbia

<p>I would love it if anyone would chance me! I have a somewhat unusual academic background so I'd really appreciate any advice. </p>

<p>My life story in a nutshell:
I was homeschooled from 3rd grade on and have been consistently employed in some capacity since I was 12. When I graduated I planned on becoming a photographer and was accepted into a couple different art schools, but due to family issues/money issues, I couldn't go. I ended up taking three years off after high school and supported myself in retail and then as a photographer. During this time I realized that photography isn't really what I want to do for the rest of my life and decided to go back to school to become a lawyer (huge childhood dream of mine). </p>

<p>Personal Information:
-White female
-Texas resident
-23 years old at the time of transfer</p>

<p>High school:
-Homeschooled, given a 3.8 GPA with a disclaimer that says that we didn't really do a traditional grading system.
-I took about 30 units of fluff classes concurrently at a community college. I had a 4.0, but I also received 5 Ws on my transcript. I am planning on sending in a letter with all of my transfer applications explaining why this happened. I have no Ws from my current CC.</p>

<p>College:
-Cumulative College GPA - 4.0
-I will have an honors AA degree by the time I transfer, 64 units (plus units from another CC, see above). </p>

<p>Test scores:
-Never took the SAT/ACT, but I am planning on doing so before I transfer.</p>

<p>High school ECs:
-Everything is related to journalism or photography. I interned at a newspaper for two years, had my photography exhibited on websites and in a gallery, etc. I also volunteered for a lot of different organizations.</p>

<p>College ECs:
-Pretty solid work resume, I worked/interned all through high school and community college. During my three gap years I supported myself as a photographer.
-Volunteer ESL tutor.
-Founding officer and then elected President of Student Government.
-Officer in several clubs, co-founded a club.
-Departmental honors in Humanities.
-Will have completed the honors program at my school once I transfer (includes thesis project, service hours, etc).
-PTK enhanced member.
-Volunteered for teen court as an adult supervisor.
-Received a few different leadership awards and one scholarship from my school.</p>

<p>Future plans:
-Classics and/or Government major with a minor in Business
-I eventually want to go to a prestigious law school</p>

<p>Schools:
UT Austin
Rice University
Northwestern University
Vanderbilt University
Columbia School of General Studies</p>

<p>Concerns:
-I basically want my old CC transcript to DIAF. I have re-taken a couple of the courses that I took and enjoyed (because it's old and I wanted to start fresh, etc), and I don't need the units. How horrible does it look that I have 5 Ws? </p>

<p>-After my 3 years off from school, I basically bombed the Accuplacer on math and had to take two developmental math courses. By the time I transfer, College Algebra and Elementary Statistics will be the highest math classes I've taken.</p>

<p>Thoughts, ideas, concerns? Any other schools that I might want to look at?</p>

<p>bump</p>

<p>I’d really appreciate any advice!</p>

<p>I believe that you do not need to take the SAT/ACT since you are 23 years old…</p>

<p>I know, right? All of the schools I’ve listed except for UT Austin require ACT or SAT scores regardless of the number of units completed (or my age). Seems kind of silly when I’ve already completed college-level work, but I guess they just want all of their ducks in a row.</p>