<p>I am a transfer student from a community college currently in the process of applying to some schools, and would like your input on my chances. I fudged up early on in my academic career, so I have 6 withdrawals and 2 F's (thanks to academic forgiveness, however, I have retaken them and received A's, so it is not affecting my GPA). Here are my stats:</p>
<p>GPA: 4.0</p>
<p>ECs: -Student Government Vice President
-NASA Microgravity Aircraft Project Team
-Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society-Member
-Part of my community colleges honors college
-Wrestling team in high school
-Chemistry/Math/Physics Tutor
-Spoke publicly at schools about dangers of drinking and driving
-Packed boxes with food, drove all over feeding less fortunate several times a month
-Volunteer at Christian retreat many times a year
-Cleaned up graffiti in association with county sheriffs office in lower income neighborhoods</p>
<p>Awards: -Dream Makers Scholarship
-Pop and Marjorie Foundation Scholarship
-Presidents List twice for 4.0 gpa
-Not really considered an award, but wrote it in as one on my UCB app: asked to SI chemistry, asked to SI calculus</p>
<p>P.S. My major is chemical engineering, so I am applying to the engineering schools of these colleges. Having said that, I've completed all my pre-reqs for engineering with this GPA. I think it is important to note that I have a felony from a DUI with bodily injury and went to jail for a year, but my life is turned around 180 degrees. I will be writing about my triumph over alcoholism/drug addiction, and how I turned my life around in my personal statements.</p>
<p>Schools Applying to:</p>
<p>MIT
UC Berkeley
Georgia Tech
Stanford
Caltech
Columbia
Cornell
Harvard
University of Florida</p>
<p>bumpppp… please! btw, I will need my SATs to apply to a few of these schools, but have not retaken them yet. Just assume my SAT will be above average. Thanks!</p>
<p>I think it will really come down to your essay… You have many things in your favor, but also some shady parts. If you tie everything together with a nice essay that is both honest and that explains your story, I think you have good chances to get in at least some of these schools. Try to read a bit about what each of them value, though, so you have personalized applications. That will raise your chances too.</p>
<p>I was told by one person not to mention jail, but I believe it is important to explain what happened, since theyll know about it anyways. As far as the drug addiction/alcoholism, I think i will leave out the drugs and just mention the alcohol. What do you think?</p>
<p>Wow! I know little about college transfers but that’s incredibly impressive. I’m seriously jealous of your resolve, any advice for a college senior?</p>
<p>Thank you! I think after about a week in jail, after my head had time to clear up, I decided that I never wanted to come to such a terrible place again. I also found a way to channel my addiction into studying as opposed to substances, and I believe that is where much of my new-found success comes from. </p>
<p>Gavin, why do you need advice? You are already two years ahead of me in terms of college credits!</p>