<p>Chasethecarrot: I don’t have any advice to offer but you write well and the story of turning your life around is compelling. I doubt that your application would be tossed in the trash. I don’t know how the Ivies would view this, but there are many other top universities that would be glad to have you as a student. You have much to offer.</p>
<p>Does your state offer any kind of guaranteed admission for community college students to transfer to state universities? That might give you a “safety” if the more selective schools do not pan out. Two things I’ve learned from CC: “always have a safety school” and “love thy safety.”</p>