I’m 28 former US Marine after I got out I attended a community college and basically failed the first year. After about 3 years later I got diagnosed with Ptsd I started going to a different community college and now my GPA is 3.0 which still isn’t good enough for my major which is Psych. To get to the point should I even try applying or just accept that I can’t get in and look at alternatives. (Trying for UCLA)
I appreciate all inputs and advice and greatly appreciate the time you take to read this
If you are willing to look beyond California, I urge you to have a conversation with the folks at Syracuse University. They have an incredible commitment to Veterans and a multi-million dollar National Veterans Resource Center is under construction. They also just announced a lowered tuition for veterans to match the benefits given through the GI bill, so no out of pocket cost for tuition.
https://www.syracuse.edu/admissions/undergraduate/veterans/
Don’t assume your GPA isn’t good enough. (You know what happens when you assume. 
) The UCs and CalStates are very understanding of situations like yours. Reach out personally to an admissions officer and/or to the veteran’s resource center, and ask how best to explain your situation on the application. They will take your most recent grades as an indication of what you are capable of.
Hey brother,
As @ccprofandmomof2 pretty much said, don’t sell yourself short. Most colleges that aren’t simply out there to get your money (not University of Phoenix) understand that your GPA, after being out of high school for a decade, isn’t a direct indicator of your intelligence. Additionally, if you at least learned something in your military career, colleges would see that as a bonus, as it shows them you have a better understanding of yourself compared to the average 17 year old high school senior.
I’m still in and have never attended college but have been through the college application process before and have a decent understanding of what it entails, so feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
Avoid for-profit “schools”.
Perhaps take one more year of classes - as many statistics classes as you can, plus biology/neuroscience/cognitive Science classes. Try to Ace them (join study groups, go to office hours, get a tutor as soon as your grade slips below A- – all of this may be difficult as a veteran and older adult but you have to try). Reassess at the end of the first semester: if your grades are in the A range you’ve got a good chance.
Also look into yellow ribbon universities if you’re able to move away from California (Syracuse is a good example).