<p>Hello.</p>
<p>I am currently at a California community college carrying a 4.0 in math and science classes (I’m an EE major). The thing is that I flunked out of a top school (Penn, Duke, Chicago, Columbia, etc.) due to various reasons, but mostly because I was depressed, lacked motivation, and hated the school. I chose the school based on prestige and not on fit.</p>
<p>I decided to start all over at a community college. I switched my major from Polisci to EE and became very involved on campus. I feel I can get a 35 on the ACT again (the score I got in high school) and 800’s on two SAT subject tests. All in all, I’d feel I have a solid application if it weren’t for my time at the previous school.</p>
<p>So what do you guys think? How will the admissions officers view my time at my previous school? Will they assume that I cannot handle the work of a four-year university? I’m a much different person and student now.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>They would count it against you. But you could still go to a good school, just probably not a top school unless a significant time as passed since now and then.</p>
<p>Well it’s been and a year and a couple of months, though it’ll be two years and some months by the time I apply to schools.</p>
<p>The very top layer will probably pass, but the next layer will see you got your act together. Stanford unlikely, Santa Clara a strong possibility. That kind of thing. Forget retaking SATs, most colleges won’t want it now that you have more than a year of credits. </p>
<p>Write a compelling essay of who you are and how you overcame your bad start in college–and where your passions are headed now. The admins need to see who you are beyond merely the gpa. Good luck.</p>
<p>Yeah, the essays are gonna be very important. And as far as the SAT’s go, I’m willing to do anything to increase my chances, even if it’s just a bit. If it means taking the SAT’s all over, then so be it. :/</p>