<p>I sent applications to some pretty big names; Amherst, Vassar, and Hampshire and hope to transfer to one of those colleges in Fall 2013. (I already got accepted to Drexel University as a fall back)</p>
<p>The main reason I sent apps to these schools is because I researched their departments within the Geosciences and Ive noticed a pattern of professors doing research that intersted me (i.e. climate change/glacial melting). I also think a liberal arts school will bring me out of my comfort zone and challenge me to take versatile classes so I can be a well-rounded applicant for graduate school in the future. (Mentioned all of this in my common app just not in a cliche method)</p>
<p>Im in my fourth semester of community college and I hold a 3.88 GPA.
For extracurricular activites I am:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>The Founder and President of the Geology Club</p></li>
<li><p>Vice President of Service for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
(our chapter has been published in the huffington post for our Honors In Action Project Rassoul</a> Dastmozd, Ph.D.: Community Colleges Need Their Community</p></li>
<li><p>Member of the Environmental Action Society (community service)</p></li>
<li><p>And I'm a work-study student who tutors in the college writing center.</p></li>
<li><p>I also hold a part-time job at a grocery store working 20 hours a week. I have no social life and barely make ends meet.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Ok now the hard part. I did really poor in high school and ended with a 2.4 GPA (graduated in 2006). I went to a community college and did even worse with a 1.4 GPA (dropped out in 2008). I had no desire for college at that time. Fast foward a few years later to 2011 where I am in another state and I start a brand new community college where I excel and contribute to my school.</p>
<p>In my common app essay for my time off from school section I wrote nothing negative. I wrote about how I became a retail manager and gained leadership experience. After working over two years with the company, I had a decision to maketo continue on this path that did not fulfill my lifes dreams or as Robert Frost said, to take the road less travelled by. I took the latter path to find a part-time job and begin school, because its never too late to start thinking about the rest of your life.</p>
<p>I also had my Geology Professor and Composition teacher write strong letter of recs.</p>
<p>My Question:
I want to know how much my past school records (hs/first cc) will weigh during the app process, since there is a three year gap. Im worried because these are some of the top liberal arts colleges in the country and I feel like I actually belong there because of my current grades and contribution to my current college, and overall I have drive.</p>
<p>Do you think I even have a chance at getting into these colleges or am I destined for a mediocore school like Drexel?</p>