<p>I'm a (white) student at a relatively rigorous private school, I got all As and Bs in sophomore year but my grades have dropped acutely upon entering junior year, I believe that I am at the moment floundering in the C range. </p>
<p>However, I got high 700s on the PSAT on the Critical Reading and English sections, and some low 600ish score on math, which will probably make colleges think I'm just some lazy **<strong><em>bag who spent his junior year smoking weed and circle-jerking, or whatever it is that lazy *</em></strong>*bags do. </p>
<p>But I'm not lazy, I try, but I simply am terrible at just about everything academic, besides standardized tests, and I don't have the excuse of 'passion for athletics,' like everyone else who does poorly in school. Colleges, sadly, see general ineptitude as an unappealing trait. What to do?</p>
<p>I'd love to go to a liberal arts focused college, but 'academic rigor' and passion for extra-curriculars seem to be what they want to see in prospective students, but I have been unable to excel academically thus far in the most important year of highschool, and I personally see all of the 'clubs' at my school as redundant, and full of obnoxious kids who are so very clearly participating only for college credit. I refuse to lower myself to their standards. </p>
<p>So it's looking like I'm officially ****ed, regarding my getting into the small northern liberal arts schools that I'd like to be a part of. Anybody have any constructive suggestion at all, besides 'join habitat for humanity' or 'get off your ass and do better in school,' because neither of those things are likely to happen, due to, respectively, my unwavering principles and the fact that I already am doing the best I damn well can? </p>
<p>Lol I agree about school clubs. They’re all pretty silly here. Instead I just found something outside of school that I was interested in and got involved directly rather than having my peers attempt to create something that resembles organization…much more direct, much more enjoyable.</p>
<p>“I simply am terrible at just about everything academic, besides standardized tests”</p>
<p>Run, do not walk, to the guidance office. Sit there until you and the counselor have set a date for formal psychometric testing with a competent educational psychologist. High standardized test scores and so-so grades (especially when they are half A/B and half D/F) is a red flag for “inattentive” ADD. This is not necessarily a bad thing, it just means that you need to learn how best to live with the brain that you were born with. The sooner you figure out if this is what is going on with you (or part of what is going on with you), the sooner you can start developing the compensation skills that will get you through school and college.</p>
<p>This is really weird because I am the EXACT same as you. I got all A’s and a couple of B’s throughout freshman and sophomore years, and this year, I’m probably averaging Cs. I get decently high standardized test scores and I have the same philosophy as you about extra-curricular activities. I want to go to a liberal arts college too, and am freaking out about my chances.</p>
<p>In regard to happymomof1’s advice, I’ve always felt that maybe I have some ADD issue. My parents, unfortunately, think ADD is just some made-up disorder for kids “who aren’t smart”. I’d have to figure out a way of getting checked without letting my parents find out.</p>
<p>Apply to low ranked LACs where your stats are the norm. Virtually all schools except the very top ones – places like Harvard and Amherst – base admissions overwhelmingly on gpa and test scores. For most colleges, including LACs, ECs count at most for merit aid.</p>
<p>At the risk of getting jeered here, it could just be hormones. You’ve gone from A/B to Cs. Your scores and previous grades indicate you CAN do the work. You just aren’t at the moment. You might need help on your studying techniques now that you are taking harder classes.</p>
<p>My school does PSATs in junior year. I’m taking the legitimate SATs in a few weeks. </p>
<p>re: happymomof1</p>
<p>I could get my hands on tons of prescription drugs today, I just see ‘living with the brain I was born with’ as not altering said brain. But I do appreciate the advice, and have considered caving in many a time. </p>
<p>re: sqdwfe13</p>
<p>It’s cool that you’re in the same boat as I am. I was expecting to just be flamed by people judging me as someone who is lazy or decadent. </p>
<p>re: northstarmom</p>
<p>Very reassuring, thanks. <b>Got any specific suggestions?</b> Anybody? I’m working mostly out of Princeton’s The Best 371 Colleges so I should probably do a bit more bottom trawling.</p>
<p>‘living with the brain I was born with’ means learning the techniques and organizational skills that will help you manage life in a world designed for another kind of brain. Medication may or may not be a good aid in that process. Start with the behavioral stuff first and see how it goes.</p>
<p>Good reading for you: “Keeping a Head in School” and “The Myth of Laziness” by Dr. Mel. Levine</p>