my gpa is terrible. Do I have a chance at a decent csu or uc? im looking at sfsu,sjsu,ucd,ucsc, or ucm.
Im a junior with:
2.96 uw gpa/3.04 w gpa
sat:havent taken yet but suppose I get a avg/above avg score(I’ve already started studying for my practice tests and Im going to start paying for a tutor soon).
never had below a C in any class, and I’ve never gotten in trouble(if that matters).
Im a first gen Latino male( will be the first to go to college). The main reason for these bad grades was because I was working a job my first 2 years and I was going through VERY hard times(I saw my brother and close friends get hooked on weed, my dog of 10 years died, and I helped my mom with her job daily). During my junior year however I started 2 online businesses(clothing store, and a jewelry store). I have gone from a straight C student to a straight A student by the end. Now I am worried that my mistakes during these first 2 years are going to hold me back from getting into a decent college.I’m looking to get into a business major.
please give me advice 
Thank you!
Intended major will have an impact on your chances at all the schools. Since you have no test scores, it is hard to determine your chances. For the UC’s, realistically only UC Merced or Riverside are possible. Explaining the reason for your lower grades in the personal insight questions could help, but UC’s are very GPA focused.
At the end of Junior year, calculate your UC /CSU GPA: https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.00-3.39
UCB/UCLA/UCSD: 1%
UCI/UCSB: 2%
UCD: 4%
UCSC: 18%
UCR: 38%
UCM: 67%
For the Cal States, they rank you by your eligibility index and test scores: (CSU/UC GPA x800) + (SAT Math+CR) or (CSU/UC GPA x200) +(ACT comp x10). Having high test scores can compensate for lower GPA.
Disadvantage is that acceptances are all based on stats so lower GPA’s can be explained.
What is your local CSU? You will get priority at the local CSU as long as your intended major is not impacted. I would also a CSU Channel Islands, Stanislaus, Dominguez Hills, Bakersfield or Humboldt to the list since they are non-impacted CSU’s.
If you are unhappy with your college choices, going to a community college for 2 years and transferring is another option to get into your preferred college.
@Gumbymom my local csu is sjsu I live 25 mins away, and thank you for the stats!
http://www.sjsu.edu/admissions/impaction/ has links to CSU eligibility index thresholds for SJSU frosh applicants by major. Of course, they may be different in future years, depending on applicant demand for each major.
http://www.sjsu.edu/admissions/impaction/impactionresultsfreshmen/index.html indicates that SJSU’s local area preference is a 0.2 increase in GPA, or 160 CSU eligibility index points, when considered for alternate majors if not admitted to the first choice major.
Sonoma and East Bay are also probably options for you.
It sounds like it was a rough start but if you can get straight As for your next few years you have a good shot at sfsu and sjsu. I’m still confused though, what grade are you in? Also it seems you’re motivated enough, I’d consider two years at CC and then you can transfer to a really good UC if you get the right grades.