What can I do to make get better chances of getting in?

Applying to College
1

<p>I’m a dual enrollment student (finishing HS by taking classes in a CC), I pay for my own classes and I am not elegible for financial aid because I haven’t graduated. I volunteer 25hrs/week (9 at a hospital & 16 at my public library.) I had all A’s up to the 8th grade, my mom had cancer in my sophomore year in HS & I took her to chemo everyday at 6am to Boston because she couln’t drive under the medication. As a result, I stayed back a year, but I realized my mom is more important than a year in school. I now volunteer at the very same hospital where my mom had her $15K surgery done for free. It’s my way of paying back, and I volunteer at the library because I stressed out when I came to the US at 13 years old. All I knew how to say was “Yes, no & bathroom” haha…I speak fluent English & Spanish and also in wrigin and reading. I now help adults in learning how to write, read, and speak English at my town library. I just got a job working for Sprint, and I also started a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.</p>

<p>Alltogether, I work and pay for my own tuition, I volunteer 25hrs/week, I get B’s & A’s, I’m in student gov’t & the community outreach group, I’m going to be the first on my family to ever attend college, I’m going to attend Santa Monica College in the fall and hopefully get accepted into UCLA as a transfer, I started a foundraiser with a $2000 goal, I’m volunteering for habitad for humanity in the summer and taking the SAT, what else can one do to get better chances of getting in?</p>

<p>All responses appreciated</p>

2

<p>Frankly, I’m exhausted just reading about everything you’ve done. Your mother should be proud of you. I take it you live in Mass now and intend to move to CA?</p>

3

<p>It sounds like you’re on the right track and have many qualities colleges will find attractive. I’m assuming your family is low income given the free surgery. Do you realize SMC and UCLA are not cheap for OOS students?</p>

4

<p>Give your best effort in everything you do! I have faith in you!!</p>

5

<p>Hmom, SMC is a CC and “only” costs $247/hour for OOS students.</p>

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<p>I understand, but with housing in CA, that adds up for low income students.</p>

7

<p>Erin’s dad,</p>

<p>I’m moving to CA late summer, but I’ve already gotten my license in November of 2009, which means I’ll only have to pay the $247/hour for only one semester. After being in CA for a year I’ll have to pay the CA resident rate which is muuuch lower than the OOS rate, which will be right at the end of my first semester(Dec this year) =]</p>

8

<p>Thank you for the kind words Erin’s dad =]</p>

9

<p>hmom5,</p>

<p>My mom makes a low income, but I already have a plan I think will take care of that =]
What do you think?</p>

10

<p>Gemmaaa,</p>

<p>Haha…you knwo what’s funny?
My niece’s name is Gema and for one second I was like nah, that can’t be my 11 year old niece haha. Thank youuu! Comments like that make me want to keep going ful throttle and work hard! =]</p>