Okay, starting off-- I’m aware even applying at most of the schools could be a stretch for me.
I graduated high school in 2005, went straight into college (one semester at community, then to Virginia Commonwealth University) and maintained a 3.75 until I had some issues relating to my health and not only received a D in an upper division course, but took nothing but W’s two semesters due to hospitalizations.
I took almost 10 years off from school, worked, volunteered, traveled, and was a self directed learner (permaculture, coding, music and art). I returned to community college to finish up any GE and applied for Fall 2019. During this I worked full time.
Philosophy / Religious Studies Major
UC GPA as of Fall 2018 - 3.33
Non Assist Cert GPA - 3.45 (out of state coursework with pass-alongs)
Fall 2018 semester GPA - 3.56
SAT (old) - 1250… don’t know if this is counted since it was in 2005
Personal statements were about being a self directed/ experiential learner, overcoming medical issues (misdiagnosed most of my life to find later I had a brain cyst), adapting to my environment, and volunteering with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention resulting from a loss of a friend.
Volunteer: Animal rescues, AFSP, YMCA
Work: Coordinator, Assistant Manager-- Full time hours, multiple jobs at a time
Awards: Published Author in popular magazines/books
Extracurricular- Painter/artist, Coding, Organic/Permaculture gardening, Community Emergency Response Team, Musician (4 instruments self taught)
I’m guessing my prospects aren’t great and expected to lean heavily on my softs and personal statements; but I’d love to get some input from former applicants