<p>I'll admit, in high-school I was extremely preoccupied with social activities and ignored school for the most part. I ended up graduating middle of my class and after mulling over the possible mediocre state schools I was accepted to, I fortunately had the foresight to recognize that these schools were only going to serve as an enabler to my destructive lifestyle. I joined the Navy and after six years of service I am out, and attending community college in an effort to essentially start over. After two semesters at my CC, I have a 4.0 and am taking honors courses, and have become heavily involved in community service and am taking leadership roles in clubs and student government. I realized that school is fun when you pay attention and work hard at it. In other words, you get what you give. Now that I am a school junkie, my counselor thinks I should apply to Berkeley and Stanford, which are two schools that exceed my original expectations. I would like to know what steps I need to take to become a more competitive candidate, or at least have a shot. I know my military service can't hurt my chances but I am taking my SAT's again (I got an 1170 back in 2001 but I didn't study for it and was hungover). Any ideas? I still have a year and a half before I am going to transfer, so there is time to fill some gaps in my application, but I need to know what they are first!</p>
<p>Go for it. The 1170 will mean nothing after six years of military service and your cc grades.</p>
<p>first of all, thank you for serving. what course of study are you leaning towards?</p>
<p>stanford hates to take transfers, but the ones it does take are often time from cc's...both schools are ultra competitive to get into, but you should stand as good a shot as anybody at both if you can maintain your gpa</p>
<p>Thanks for the votes of confidence and Polska, I am going to major in International Relations. I want to get into the non-profit sector, or do some ambassadorial work. And with my background of exposure to various parts of the world and experience in disaster relief, I think it could only help. Plus, something my Dad told me about if you want to be truly successful you have to do what makes you want to go to work in the morning.</p>