<p>Hi,</p>
<p>Until I matriculated undergraduate, I was pretty good student with near 4.0 GPA with 2200 SAT score. I was accepted to UIUC, UCLA, JHU, Harvey Mudd etc.. I chose UIUC, but the problem started since then. I was a engineering student at UIUC and I had 0.6 cumulative gpa over 3 semesters until I was dropped without another chance to re-apply.</p>
<p>There were personal issues, habit issues, and motivation issues that hindered my academics.</p>
<p>Since then, I figured my problems. I went to a nearby community college. I took 2 semesters with 4.0 GPA. I am involved in a couple of club activities. I write codes for open sources. I tutor at the college.</p>
<p>I know there are a lot of students in a similar situation, but I cannot find the resources to help me.</p>
<p>How should I proceed? Even with 2 semesters of 4.0's and, my cumulative GPA is still very low. I would like to transfer to a 4 year university with strong math/CSC programs. If I apply to UCLA, for say, would they just throw my application for the lack of GPA?</p>
<p>Any advice is appreciated!</p>
<p>I started to type out a reply, but in the middle of it I realized I was just speculating, based on no experience whatsoever. (Note: it is rather unusual for me to admit this. Usually, I just post my speculation, but I use big words, so that it sounds authoritative.)</p>
<p>You might get more knowledgeable advice from the transfer advisors at your community college than from strangers on an internet message board. (I mean, you may get advice from people who really know something, but you’ll have to tease it out from replies from people like me, who are just kind of making stuff up.) </p>
<p>As I’m sure you know, lots of people go to community college for…let’s call it “academic rehabilitation.” I’m sure people there will have experience with students with stories like yours.</p>
<p>The best thing to do with your unusual situation (but not that unusual) would be to contact the Admissions Offices of the schools you are interested in and just be honest about your situation.</p>
<p>I have seen students like you come to my university, Illinois Institute of Technology, and do just fine. If you have a good reason for your initial poor performance and a strong track record in your CC courses, that can help a lot to show you have overcome your initial issues.</p>
<p>Ask admissions at the schools you wish to attend. If you are an international student, it might make a difference.</p>