Chances at top schools (emory, vandy, tulane) with a low GPA?

So it sounds like from what you said that you are very smart but maybe prioritize your activities over your classes. Is that correct? You said, “I will accept full responsibility in the fact that I am a slacker who procrastinates on a daily basis and ends up drowning in work.”

I think your challenge will be convincing colleges that it will be different if you attend their school. Your commitment and “obsession” with research is great, but schools don’t want to think you’ll flunk out either. And I have to warn you, college is hard and the schools you are targeting will be REALLY hard. MY D has been shocked at how hard her STEM classes have been at a T20 school. The class average on her last Physics midterm was about a 50%. Her CS major friends are seeing failing midterm grades. And these are really smart kids, most of whom are really trying hard.

And in addition, how DO you think things will be different in college? Just saying “things will be different in college” doesn’t seem like enough. I suspect you say that every summer heading into a new school year. And in college you have even more distractions to deal with. You mentioned that you won’t blame your issues on ADHD, anxiety, depression etc. Do you think any of those things might be an issue for you? If so, I’d highly recommend getting some help asap.

I encourage you to think long and hard about why you want to go to a “prestigious” college? Do you think you’ll be happy in an academically intense environment? Honestly, it seems like you would flourish in a school where you didn’t have to spend many hours a day in the library, but instead could have more time for the things that you are passionate about. Your college experience is about much more than being able to wear a shirt with a prestigious name on it!