timOthy -

Thanks very much for your questions, and I am sorry for the delayed response.

I think you definitely need to give the Berkeley part-time program a shot. Yes, your GPA is lower than average, but it sounds like you had extenuating circumstances. I would explain why your grades were low but also show how you have worked on courses via community colleges and made all As or A+s.

Be very clear about your reasons for pursuing this part-time program. How will it help you in your day-to-day job? What from your professional and personal experiences will you be able to contribute? What are your long-term goals? I feel that if you can round out your story a bit and shift the focus from the low GPA to your long-term potential, you should be in good shape.

Best of luck,
Jennifer