How will messing up my first year in college (2003) affect getting into grad school?

FiFi5000
Sat, 19 Oct 2013 21:18:33 +0000

Hi everyone,
As stated, I messed up pretty badly when I first went to college in 2003 after high school. I took several years off, went to community college and have since transferred to my current state school in Pennsylvania. I am graduating in May and am applying to grad schools currently. Since I have been at my current school I have a 3.8, a research assistant position (unpaid but still), publications, I’m writing an honors thesis, have several relevant internships, an award etc. etc. (no need to ramble about my whole resume). However I am concerned that no matter how well I am doing now my past will prevent me from getting into a good grad program. Ideally I would like to get into a direct to PhD program but I’m applying to a variety of Masters and PhDs at some big name schools and some that have good programs but are not as well known. I’m trying to be realistic but I have to admit that my dream schools (I have two in mind) are pretty much top ten schools…
Any thoughts or advice?
Thanks bunches!