So I applied to Carnegie Mellon as a spring transfer and was rejected. I realize their transfer acceptance rate was only like 7% last year, but I thought my chances were pretty good because I’d attended their summer classes and had a 4.0 there as well.
My stats:
4.0 GPA, 45 credits completed at community college (will have associate’s degree by the time I transfer)
Honors program + honors research with faculty (HOWEVER, I fear my transcript may be tainted by 3-4 worthless courses my college forced me to take in order to graduate… crap like physical education and “introduction to presentation software”)
Phi Theta Kappa
Earned the highest grade in the class in four of my classes
Non-traditional student
Summer courses at CMU
Strong recommendations
Won a couple of big-name national scholarships this year
HORRIBLE high school record (like, 2.5 GPA; didn’t even take standardized tests). However, it has been a full decade since I graduated.
My state school is offering me a full-tuition, room & board deal for next year because I’m Pell eligible and admitted to the honors program (it’s a new initiative they’re doing). If that’s the best I can do, I will just deal with it and go there.
My question is: for students like me (terrible high school record but perfect college grades), is there hope? How high can I reach? Or should I just go to my state school?
A Full ride to your state flagship with honors college is amazing!
You sound disappointed -guessing it’s due to the CMU rejection. (Keep in mind the 7% is an average accross majors and depending on major it can be just 1-2%).
No matter what that offer from your state flagship is awesome! is it tOSU? If so, you’re very lucky. It’s a very strong university and nothing to feel down about! Full rides are very very rare and prized. Most applicants would love to be in your shoes 
That being said, you can always apply to a fee other Universities and see what happens.
What major are you applying for?
So Carnegie Mellon is not in the cards for you for spring admission. I seriously doubt that your HS record had any impact on their decision (being that it was a decade ago). Having a 4.0 doesn’t guarantee transfer admission (unless you are covered by some sort of articulation agreement), but you will get very serious consideration from top schools. If you are willing to wait an extra semester, you can apply to other places now for fall admission. You could possibly even try again at Carnegie Mellon if that is your dream school.
The offer from your state school certainly sounds appealing to me. But, I cannot answer whether that is where you should go. If I was in your shoes, I’d think about things like the strength and reputation of the program I was interested in there, my financial situation, whether I felt the fit was right (especially as a nontraditional student), etc. You may find that all things considered, it might be perfect for you.
Good luck.