<p>My D was in a similar situation – she is plenty smart but many of her HS friends were brilliant and ended up at Ivy/MIT/Caltech type of schools. She also wanted a LAC and I will tell you that she is happier than many of her friends at the bigger name schools. She has great friends, is getting a fantastic education (small classes, knows all her profs), and is involved in a number of extracurricular activities. Here is my advice.</p>
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<li><p>Not to be rude, but get over it. Stop judging/comparing yourself to where your friends are applying and focus on finding schools that are a good fit for you. You have done very well academically and there are tons of colleges and universities that you should be able to get in and have a great experience at. </p></li>
<li><p>Stop focusing in on schools you don’t have much of a chance to get into. If you want to apply to one as a reach, that is fine. But move on.</p></li>
<li><p>If you want to avoid drinking altogether, focus on schools in major cities where there are other activities all around you.</p></li>
<li><p>If you want a LAC, take a close look at the USNWR list. I don’t put a ton of stock in the rankings, but it is a good list to start with and seek out schools that are in your range. [National</a> Liberal Arts College Rankings | Top Liberal Arts Colleges | US News Best Colleges](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-liberal-arts-colleges]National”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-liberal-arts-colleges)</p></li>
<li><p>At ANY school you go to you will have to work and seek out the people you want to be with. There are some people at even the “best” of schools who are immature, spoiled, and drink to excess and there are people at other schools who are extremely bright mature, and hard working. </p></li>
<li><p>In terms of specific colleges, some of the LACs we looked at with my D included Lafayette (which she attends and loves), Union, Dickinson, Franklin and Marshall, Skidmore, Muhlenberg, and Trinity. She liked some more than others (because of her interests, the overall “vibe” or whatever else) but suffice it to say that there are many great choices out there. Do some more research. Get some college guide books (I like Fiske and Princeton Review, but there are a lot), stop feeling sorry for yourself, and find a group of schools you can get into and that you will enjoy.</p></li>
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