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

NovaLynnx
Sat, 19 Oct 2013 23:46:58 +0000

Your first school was 10 years ago, and you have since proven yourself to be a successful student. The first transcripts will still be in your application, but will be much less relevant than your current academic accomplishments, research experience, publications, etc. Your recommendations will carry quite a bit of weight as well, which should all be current and not from 2003. Your advisor may or may not have connections at the schools you’re applying to, and so may or may not have a realistic idea of your chances for admission. The only thing you can do is try and apply, and have a variety of reaches and “safeties” (though difficult to gauge at the graduate level) in your list of applications. That’s better than regretting not applying to your top schools, if you can afford it.