Really worried about my chances at any UC

<p>So I go to a good community college in Northern California, it is my second year now and I am scared about my chances of getting into any UC. Originally I wanted to major in computer science, but withdrew from that class and failed my pre calc class. Retook that 2 quarters later with a B+. And after that I wanted to major in Econ, however my math was definitely not strong enough to keep going through with it.
So this year I switched over to psychology which is something I am deeply interested in, I read the magazines and articles all the time and love the classes. However at the same time I have had some personal problems in my life which had an adverse affect on my grades and GPA. I was wondering if UC's would be sympathetic to my situation, my dad is passing of cancer and I've been having to ditch classes to take him to the hospital and more recently help move him and change his diaper and so forth. I do not want to sound like I am whining, I have because of this failed my econ 2 class of which I am planning to retake over the summer. I wanted to know if it would replace my GPA? And my GPA as of writing is a 2.6, I'm taking easier courses this quarter and hope to get all A's, maybe a B in it, I'm done with IGETC after this. My hopes were to apply for winter quarter of Irvine 2010, registration of which is in July. I was also hoping to apply for UCSD, Davis, and cal poly SLO for winter 2010? Not sure if they have that, but if not then 2011? All for a psychology degree of course.
I realize how horrible my situation is right now, anything below a 3.0 is just bad news when it comes to UC's so I wanted to know what insight people had, what I can do, what my chances are, and which schools take winter transfer. Thanks very much in advance.</p>

<p>Mike. I applied this fall to the UC’s with under a 3.0 and was accepted to UCR, UC Merced, UC Santa Cruz, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Irvine. Don’t give up hope. Stay focused and keep at it.</p>

<p>I’m sorry to hear about your dad.
But don’t worry, it might look like you are in a bad situation right now, but if you start to make smart decisions you can easily get into a UC (well…it will be a little harder than a traditional transfer student, but it won’t be the most tremendous task in the world).</p>

<p>btw, I am a psychology major as well.</p>

<p>okay here we go.</p>

<p>Retake all the classes you have gotten less than a C in. They will be replaced in your GPA but you must report the F’s and D’s when you apply (even though they don’t count). Get a 4.0 from here on out…I see you are doing well this quarter - GREAT. An upward grade trend is looked at very well by the UC’s. Also, I’m not sure if you mentioned it, but you need to get started and hopefully complete your pre requisites for psychology.</p>

<p>If you get above a 3.0 overall GPA then I would highly suggest you get a TAG with any or all the schools that are not UC Berkeley or UCLA.
(just in case you don’t know; a TAG is a transfer admittance guarantee, where if you have above a 3.0 and 30 or more units you are guaranteed admission to any UC except UCLA and Cal)</p>

<p>I believe you asked if the UC’s consider personal problems that affected your grades and if they would be sympathetic to your situation. The answer is yes if you write about it in your personal statement they will take it into consideration and it will be viewed favorably.</p>

<p>Overall, your future is literally in your hands. Do extremely well, don’t settle for B’s, get above a 3.0, sign a TAG, get above 60 units before transfer, and you will be set.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

<p>yes yes! follow transfermeups advice and you have a great shot. good luck kiddo. and I would add, let your cc know what is going on with your life circumstance (or at least each of your teachers); often times they will give you a break (I have a chronic pain condition and my teachers have been very forgiving when I have missed lectures/exams as a result of it).</p>