My stats:
California Community College (Summer 2018 - Current)
Current GPA: 4.0 (Currently at 47 credits, one W (had to withdraw from the class because I couldn’t afford the payment), plan on graduating with AS-T in May 2020 and applying as a transfer to CSUs in SoCal this fall)
Science GPA: 4.0 (15 received credits)
Extracurricular Activities: Hospital volunteer, tutor at a high school in an underserved community, and occasional volunteer at events through organizations like the American Heart Association.
Big University (2014 - 2015)
1st Term Freshman GPA: 0.86
2nd Term Freshman GPA: 0.00
Cum. Freshman GPA: 0.36 (33 attempted credits, 12 received credits)
Science GPA at Big University: 0.00 (4 credits attempted)
Extracurricular Activities: N/A
As you can see, my academic performance during my first year of college was dreadful. I was in an abusive relationship during my high school years and, once I began attending the same university as my ex, the physical abuse worsened and he began refusing to let me speak to anyone or go anywhere without him - which included class. By the time the academic year ended, he had been arrested twice and I was academically suspended. I lived out of my car for the next few months, but I eventually worked myself into a position where I could begin to pay for community college classes out-of-pocket. I eventually received scholarship money and grants to help me finish my AS-T at the particular community college I am attending, but now I am worried that no CSU will accept me. Big University doesn’t offer academic renewal and I cannot afford to move out-of-state right now, so my options are limited. Do I have a chance at transferring to CSU Long Beach, CSU Fullerton, CSU Northridge, Cal Poly Pomona, CSU San Bernardino, or CSU Los Angeles?
I think I would call an admissions person at those colleges and explain your situation.
Colleges want students who can succeed. You have now shown that you can succeed.
Is that enough for those colleges? Call and find out.
Looks like your overall college GPA > 2.0. This should get you into non impacted majors at non impacted campuses like CSUDH and CSUCI, assuming that subject requirements are completed.
CSUN’s transfer admission selectivity depends on if you are in its local area.
https://www.csun.edu/admissions-records/transfer-impaction
Don’t worry so much, your story is far from unique, and college is a great place for second chances. State universities in particular are supportive of non-traditional and underprivileged students with difficult backgrounds. Your most recent academic record weighs heavier than older history, so just keep up your grades. Community colleges are full of stories of valedictorians who previously failed out of school before due to personal drama or lack of motivation and who later went on to elite universities and successful careers. The fact that you went back and have done well since then speaks volumes about your character and academic abilities. You should probably include a brief explanation in your transfer application in reference to your earlier bad grades just to let them know that it was a temporary situation that caused your downward spiral, but it will be your stellar record in the CC rather than the story that will convince them that you are a serious student with a bright future. I think you actually have a chance at better schools than CSUs if you maintain your grades. Be proud of how you have overcome the adversities in your life; schools will see it the same way.
Also, you should absolutely speak to your transfer services - they should tell you what agreement your school has with senior colleges. I’m not familiar with the California system, but here in NY, all CC graduates who meet minimum GPA requirements are guaranteed admission to a senior college within their university system, although not to any specific one, and they are given preference to outside applicants. There are also “sister” schools with direct admission. You can also contact transfer services at the schools of your choice to ask them about their admission criteria.
I would like to thank you all for your responses and advice. I spoke to someone at my college’s transfer center and I am more hopeful right now than I was several days ago! Although it will be more difficult to get into heavily impacted programs/schools, I believe I have a fairly good chance of transferring to a CSU.