<p>I just got accepted into ND, but I’ll give you my honest opinion:</p>
<p>First of all, good job on your GPA! I think it’s inspiring and truly amazing that you were able to turn around like that. If you continue with a strong GPA and retake the SAT or ACT and get great score, you might have a better chance. Especially with the SAT/ACT. If I were an admissions officer and saw that you had, let’s say a 2100+ or 32+, I would think that you really turned yourself around. But it’s hard to say, since I’m not an admissions officer, and there are obviously tons of qualified people applying to ND. </p>
<p>I think that your whole background and everything may give you a better chance, but remember that you’re not the only one with hardships. Not every college applicant is a rich white kid. People come from the ghetto, deal with deaths(like you have), have other hardships, etc. And it does make it easier to get in, but you still have to prove yourself to ND. </p>
<p>Also, please don’t be ridiculous. APPLY FOR SAFETY SCHOOLS. If you’re just trying to prove that a kid from CC can make it to a good college, why not try for other schools too? You know that there’s a chance that you won’t ever get into ND for undergrad, so why take that chance? You can still apply every year, but please be smart and apply for safeties too.</p>
<p>And I agree with the other posters. You say that taking on the college debt is worth it for ND. Sure, I guess. But for philosophy? Not so sure about that one…Might want to rethink what major you want to take. Something that might actually pay off your college loans. No offense. </p>
<p>Anyway, I wish you good luck! Keep working hard, and try to open yourself up to other colleges too.</p>