Need Some Advice Please

<p>Hey everyone,</p>

<p>I posted these in the admissions forum and I was told I would get better responses here so I thought it'd be worth a shot... </p>

<p>Chance Me Forum:
"Major: Civil Engineering (but some schools don't offer certain engineering majors)
Secondary: Applied Math
UC GPA: 2.85
Applying to: UCI (Civil), UCSB (Mech), UCSD (Structural), UCR (Mech), Pomona (EE - Mech and Civil are impacted), SLO (Civil), SDSU (Civil), Fullerton (Civil - already got in)
Prereqs: Finished all math, physics, programming, and chemistry courses.. didn't get around to doing Statics though so missing 1
IGETC: Finished by Spring 2010
TAG: I wish..
EC's: President of Engineering Club, ICC rep for Math Club, Big Bros and Sis of OC, American Cancer Society Volunteer, been working part time since high school (jobs and tutor), volunteer tutor at the school.</p>

<p>Essay: Every rep I talked to said the essay only matters if you apply for money (with such a low GPA, im just worried about getting in..) but 9/10 i'd say..</p>

<p>Other: Thyroid Cancer Survivor (very soon =)</p>

<p>I know my GPA is terrible and there are no excuses. I'd really appreciate honest opinion though. Thanks guys!</p>

<ul>
<li>Just throwing it out there, the reason I applied to some pretty gnarly UC's was mainly because of UC StatFinder (counselor's advice). By theory I have about a 30% chance of getting into UCSD. What'd you guys think? Also, I know this is shallow but should I mention my cancer situation to any of the school rep's so they can put a memo on the app or something? I don't (in anyway) try to sound like a baby but seriously it wasn't easy balancing radiation, hormone replacements, and physics homework... (not to mention multiple surgeries... another one Feb 22.. ughh)"</li>
</ul>

<p>In the College Search and Admission Forum:</p>

<p>"Before I say anything, if I posted this in the wrong place I apologize. But recently (Nov. 20) I was diagnosed with cancer. I had submitted my applications (from a CC) the 8/9th of Nov. so the schools no nothing about this. By no means am I trying to use this as an advantage to get into any schools or anything but a few friends and relatives are insisting that it would be a good idea if i told the schools my situation.</p>

<p>It looks like i'm gonna have to stay local if I want to continue with school but I already applied to 8 schools (UC's and CSU's). I know that the schools that I applied to have a strict no refund policy which I completely understand so I don't expect them to refund any money. So with that in mind, i guess my questions are the following: should I do or say anything? should i even bother asking for refunds for the distant schools? </p>

<p>A little bit about me:
- 20 yrs old, Saddleback College
- Engineering major (civil), 2.84 transferable GPA
- All prereqs are done (except diff eqs and optics/relativity... taking them spring semester)
- IGETC and CSU certified
- I have a few EC's but they don't really mean much since I have a low GPA (I did mention them in my UC apps tho)
- Diagnosed Nov. 20 with Papillary Thyroid Cancer (I know I shouldn't use this as an excuse, but it really didn't help the concentration and studying... fall GPA: 2.90)"</p>

<p>Sorry for the long post but any input, ideas, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!</p>

<p>Anybody…?</p>

<p>I know that it’s hard to get into a UC as a freshmen with a sub 3.0, did the reps say anything about how hard it is for transfers?</p>

<p>BTW…Fullerton is strong in engineering, so if that’s where you’ll end up, you’ll be fine.</p>

<p>If you do get into a UC, do you have the money to pay for fees, room, board, and books?</p>

<p>I know that UC’s have transfer admission guarantee program with a bunch of CC’s around California… I was on track but I ended up getting two C’s last semester which brought my prereq GPA below a 3.0… However, I have heard of people getting in UC’s with a sub 3.0 GPA so I guess the best I can do is cross my fingers. </p>

<p>I do not have all the money to pay for everything. I have a little saved, I will take out student loans when the time comes, and my parents will help me out where ever they can…</p>

<p>My question is though, should I mention this situation to the schools?</p>