<p>Hey everyone, it's been quite a while since I've participated here. Last time was when I was applying to UCs and others colleges! </p>
<p>I did end up getting accepted to all UCs and I chose to attend UCLA for Computer Science and Engineering. I studied there for a whole year until some personal issues came up in my home country forcing me to return. </p>
<p>Since then, I've been working in my field as a software developer for the past 2 years. I went from having zero experience to now being a contractor for my city government despite my lack of a degree (I worked my a** off and studied on my own most of the stuff graduates usually know).
However, I feel that a stronger theoretical foundation (as well as the credential) are still very important and will open more doors in the future, that's why I still have plans to finish my degree somewhere more reasonably affordable, either in the US or Canada. </p>
<p>The problem is that my 1st year's GPA at UCLA is not good, in fact it's 2.72. This unfortunately limits a lot of my options at any good school and chances for any scholarship. Will my work experience leverage my horrible GPA?</p>
<p>I've been researching for colleges where a full year's tuition and general expenses including housing do not surpass $30k. I'd like some suggestions for reasonable engineering schools in the US and Canada. In Canada, I was thinking about U. Alberta and Victoria. Do I have good chances of transferring?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>