<p>In 2003, just after graduation from high school, I went to a community college for a semester and completely stopped going to class, ending in a 0.0 GPA for 15 credits.</p>
<p>In 2004, I went back to the same community college, and again ended up with a 0.0 GPA for 12 credits.</p>
<p>During this time, I was going through some pretty severe issues, mental health problems (resulting in hospitalization) and then finding out I was pregnant, completely unexpectedly.</p>
<p>Fast forward a couple years, I’ve been raising my daughter and realize that I want better for her than I can provide with no degree and also want to give her a good influence.</p>
<p>2008-2009 I went to a (new) community college. In the fall I took 18 credits and earned a 3.8 GPA. In the spring I took 20 credits and earned a 4.0. During my stay at this CC I also joined Phi Theta Kappa.</p>
<p>2009-2010. I transferred to Salisbury University as a history major. Fall semester I took 16 credits and earned a 3.5, with a major GPA of 3.5. Spring semester I took 12 credits, 4.0 GPA. My cum. GPA is now 3.714, with a major GPA of 3.75. I was also just accepted to the university honors program. </p>
<p>I have already started my languages. I took French this semester, and next semester will be taking French and German. I fully expect to graduate with honors (Magna Cum Laude), as a member of the university honors program, and am on track to be invited to join both the History honors society and the French honors society. I am also planning to do an independent study next year, so I will have some research experience. I haven’t taken the GRE (since I just finished my soph. year), but expect to do fairly well, since I have a history of testing excellent, and will begin preparing in plenty of time.
I also have good relationships with my professors, and already have a few in mind that would give me excellent LoR. </p>
<p>My goal is a PhD in European History. I haven’t nailed down exactly what I want to do, but <em>most likely</em> WWII/Holocaust or German History, or something in religious history… </p>
<p>What are my odds of getting into a higher ranked school, with funding? Have I completely ruined my chances with the horrible start?
I’m a single parent, so having funding will make or break me. I cannot afford to pay for school. I have some support from family, so they can help with living expenses, but they aren’t doing all that well either.</p>
<p>If you’ve made it through this long post and have any suggestions about what else I can do to strengthen my application, it would be much appreciated!</p>