<p>When i was in elementary school i was accepted into the gifted program of one of the top school districts in the state but I have struggled in school my whole life. I almost always get A’s on tests but its the homework and projects that kill me. I have severe add and I’ve never been one that is able to sit and do homework. Partly I
think may be because I am lazy but most of the time I genuinely can not focus. I’m mostly a straight b student with a 3.06 gpa. I scored a 32 on the act and 2170 on the sat. When I look at colleges there is often no one to compare to on getting in. When I look at colleges along the lines of my act my grades seem really low but when I look at schools along the lines of my gpa I feel way too good for them. What I’m saying is do I have a chance to get into a top university or should I settle for a state college and maybe try to transfer after a few semesters because I think college is better suited for me than high school. Really confused on what my future is any help would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Have a look at some of these schools:
[CTCL</a> Members | Colleges That Change Lives](<a href=“http://www.ctcl.org/colleges/list]CTCL”>http://www.ctcl.org/colleges/list)</p>
<p>Some of them seem to have certain stand-out departments (e.g. Beloit for anthropology, Clark for psychology, Earlham for life sciences, Lawrence for physics, St. Olaf for math). Except for Reed, Whitman, and maybe St. Olaf, most are realistic possibilities for a motivated B student. All of them are small. Most have fairly high sticker prices (but financial aid is available if you qualify.)</p>
<p>Liberal arts schools like the ones on the CTCL list are a great option for students like you (assuming they are affordable.) On the other hand, your plan of doing well first year and transferring is not a bad one in your situation. You may find that college courses require more homework and attention than those in high school, so reaching too high could set you up for a college GPA disaster.</p>
<p>Liberal arts colleges might be out of the question financially to me. I am white middle class my parents can help me a little and I don’t want to be in too much debt out of school.</p>
<p>You’re better off with the holistic admission process where your circumstances (G/T classes in a top district) will be taken into account and your GPA looked at “in context”.
There are plenty of schools between your local state college and “a top university” (unless by “top university” you don’t mean only "top 25 on the national university USNWR list).
Look at schools ranked 25-50 among the National universities, schools ranked 30-70 among LACs, and top 4 regional universities. Among these, there should be at least two dozens that you like. Don’t distinguish based on ranking, but based on what you like: small, discussion-based class? ADD support? Big DivI sports? study Abroad opportunities? etc.
Run the Net Price Calculator on EACH school you like. Or start with the schools suggested above, from the three reaches listed (Reed, Whitman, St Olaf) to the ones in CTCL and the ones that offer standout programs in subjects you’re really interested in.
Don’t discard any school based on its sticker price: if your family does not make much money, some private schools may end up costing less than your instate public.
If you don’t want to be in debt, apply to a few “loan-free” colleges such as Davidson.
All in all, also, applying to a private college 400+miles from home helps, since you provide “geographical diversity”.</p>