<p>I went to another CC from 2005-2007 and did horrible. I went to my current CC and took over most of the classes and started over. I did not transfer over the grades.</p>
<p>My question is: When I apply for university, I'm required to turn in ALL college grades, BUT will they do a cumulative for both CC's for my GPA since I didn't transfer over the grades? I didn't retake every class I did bad in but I would imagine since I'm not transfering over the grades, they should use my current colleges GPA.</p>
<p>They won't be concerned with which college is your current one, or whether or not you elected to receive transfer credit for the old courses at your new college. How they assess your cumulative GPA will depend on the institution. Some universities might dismiss a grade for a retaken class only if you got a D or an F on the first go. Others might just factor in <em>everything</em>, others might dismiss any retaken grade. Of course, there will be a subjective element as well. If they see that you were a terrible student one semester and that after that you were a great student then they'll figure something was going on for that terrible semester and you're probably a great student by nature.</p>
<p>My GPA for those 2 years was a 1.3. I did horrible, many F's, I don't even what was wrong with me. I even got "dismissed" from there.</p>
<p>After that, I went to another CC in another district. I told myself I was going to straighten up and do good. Since then, I've been doing a whole lot better. 3.5+ overall GPA.</p>
<p>Now I want to apply to USC, UCLA, etc for this film school and the university reviews applicants to. So what should I do? If I include the first CC and they cumulate the overall GPA, it'll be less than 3.0, something around 2.3.</p>
<p>So does this mean I can never transfer because of that first CC? It'll always haunt me? People said just show the grades and explain it in your essay, but how, when the GPA will be so low, they won't even care. I just want to know what to do.</p>
<p>They'll look at both, but I think you might have a shot. I have no idea about USC, but I <em>think</em> the general UC policy to to dismiss D and F grades if you've retaken the class...but I could be totally wrong about that. Another factor is how long you've been at this new district. Then, as you mention, it's just a matter of framing it right subjectively.</p>
<p>I would suggest, though, that you consider other programs in addition to USC/UCLA, because either could very plausibly decide to reject you.</p>
<p>You might ask about UCLA in the UC transfer forum.</p>
<p>you might want to ask yourself if you can handle the difference in level of work and course toughness at the schools your considering. I hope you well though.</p>
<p>You have to include the first cc on your application, as you mentioned in your OP. That is a fact, without any other option.</p>
<p>I don't know exactly how they will factor in that first school. But there are success stories throughout this forum of applicants who messed up in hs or at the start of college. You have changed; they will see that. It is a good story, it is your real story. Telling it from the heart is what you need to do.</p>
<p>That said, it probably also matters why you were dismissed from that first school - if it was academics, then that is just part of the story. If it was disciplinary/behavior... I'm not sure how that will play.</p>
<p>I also agree with others - you should certainly go for USC/UCLA. But you need to also apply to other less reach-y schools.</p>
<p>Congratulate yourself on what you have accomplished in this turnaround. You deserve it. You "started over," oneway. There is honor in that. You can't erase what came before and I applaud you for not trying to and recognizing that you have to list that school on your app (and provide a transcript). But think of yourself as the "new you," the one with the 3.5+. That is who you are now. You don't need to dwell on the past situation in your essay. Talk about just what you said here - that you resolved to straighten up and do good. And you did. Then move on to your goals and what you want to accomplish at the transfer school.</p>