Transfer into the University of Texas at Austin?

I was a horrible student in high school. I did not want to risk my two times per student admission chances, so I decided that I would go to community college first and improve myself enough to transfer. I want to be in a film or media studies major and the Moody College of Communications only has a two chance limit for students to apply. I am extremely dedicated about this, the whole reason why I struggled so much throughout high school was because I had to get a job and work because my mother was diagnosed with cancer and paying bills seemed a little more important than my studies at the time. But now my mother is doing OK so I can definitely cut back my hours or even quit my job to focus on this. I could try to get a high GPA and your classes, but what other things can I do to stand out? Should I volunteer more, should I keep working, what I need to retake my SAT? Also does anyone know the minimum GPA to get in? Is it easier to get in applying for a spring semester or a full semester?literally just any advice on getting in would help me out big time.

Thank you.