<p>So, right now I am just starting my final semester of what is technically my freshman year at a community college in California. I graduated in 2012, but took a year and became an EMT, did various volunteer work such as becoming a big brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and also worked for my Congressman. Now I am back at it and currently have a 4.0 and am going to continue to do so. The thing is, I didn't do as well as I could have in high school. The last two years were filled with challenge after challenge, between the man who was my father figure growing up getting cancer and various other hurdles I ended up with a 3.5 for my 4 year GPA. I am extremely committed , more so now than ever, and have my eye set on getting the best possible education that I can get. I'm not so much out there for the prestige as I am wanting quality teaching and the benefits that come with applying to medical/grad school from an Ivy, or even Stanford or UC Berkeley. What do you all think? Is it a total impossibility, what can I do to change that? Thanks!</p>