Come on! Is it out there?

<p>The college that's right for me, I mean.
This selectivity deal is about to drive me up the wall (literally).
I'm a guy who's put everything into my education. My grades? Impressive. My GPA? Admirable. However, there's one catch: my SAT scores, as you all might have guessed. I'll be candid, they're not atrocious, but they're most certainly not flattering. Decide for yourself:
Math: 550
Reading: 710
Writing: 580
I'm not the type who believes I'm a hell of a lot smarter than I actually am, but I can't question the validity of these numbers enough. There's obviously a great disparity among my CR score and the remaining two, but for what reason? I scored a 5 on my AP English Language & Composition Exam. Doesn't that count for something? My english teachers incessantly comment on the clarity and persuasiveness of my writing. For crying out loud, I placed first in an essay contest emcompassing each and every one of the schools in my neighboring counties. All in all, it just doesn't make sense. If it's any consolation, perhaps it's important to note the test anxiety I'm inclined to succumb to during the middle of test like the SAT.
Regardless, it is what is, and I can't let these scores drag me down.
I need some suggestions, or anything, that will help guide me to one of the many colleges that could potentially be a match.
Aside from my strong academic background, excluding the SAT of course, I possess one that includes a long and dogged commitment to work. I've been employed at a place for nearly two years now and put a lot of time and effort into what I do. Additionally, I have a respectable amount of service hours and all that jazz.
However, things of that nature come second to my love for learning, or more specifically: my passion for both reading and writing. A day without a book is like a day without Jersey Shore for most.
Again, moving on, I need you all to point me towards schools which:
1.) De-emphasize or completely disregard test scores in the admission process.
2.) Aren't extremely selective, but rather "self-selecting." (i'm unique and i can show it)
3.) Are small, well reputed LACS (i'll accept smaller universities as well) that foster both unique and productive learning environments, inside and outside the classroom.
4.) Offer a high quality of life.
5.) Produce a number of students who go on to pursue Phd's (again, i take my academics seriously.)
6.) Are located on the east coast (i'll consider anything in relative proximity to NC). However, it's really not that important of a factor, but if I do take a jump I want to know that it's worth it.
7.) Harbor a vibrant, passionate, and intellectual student body, who know how to HAVE FUN.
8.) Employ professionals, who are dedicated to the success of their students.</p>

<p>Again, I'm not looking for exactly the most selective school out there, but one that will change my life for the better and faciliate my growth as an individual. My parents? useless. My friends? wrapped up in their own affairs. My guidance counselor? entangled in far too much for his own good. I'm depending own you all! Thanks for any guidance in advance.</p>

<p>There are a large number of outstanding test optional colleges, and the list keeps getting expanded. You may want to check [The</a> National Center for Fair & Open Testing | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org%5DThe”>http://www.fairtest.org) for a complete listing of the current colleges that do not require SAT or ACT scores. I understand what you mean by test anxiety, it can have an impact but your CR score is strong.</p>

<p>As far as your parents being useless, I am sure you will not believe that once it comes time to either pay your tuition or have to complete the financial aid applications. Good luck in your search</p>

<p>If the SAT is your biggest problem, you are fine. Pay for one of those prep-courses and take the test again. Take as many practice tests as you can (as MANY as you can). Soon, you should get your score up on the practice tests. Once you start to see improvement, you can take it again. Then you’ll be fine.</p>

<p>Have you already looked at Wake Forest?</p>

<p>You sound like a good candidate for test-optional schools. They are not hard to find.
[Optional</a> List | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional]Optional”>ACT/SAT Optional List - Fairtest)</p>

<p>Check LACs on that list against the following for selectivity:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/687793-selectivity-ranking-national-us-lacs-combined-usnews-method.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/687793-selectivity-ranking-national-us-lacs-combined-usnews-method.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>For example, in approximate order of selectivity, consider:
Middlebury, Bowdoin
Hamilton,
Bard,Colby, Bates, Colorado College</p>

<p>Schools that are not on these lists but also worth considering:
Earlham
College of Wooster
Rhodes</p>

<p>I haven’t researched the SAT policies of each of these schools, but they seem like the type of college you’re looking for in general:</p>

<p>[Colleges</a> That Change Lives | Changing Lives, One Student at a Time](<a href=“http://ctcl.org/]Colleges”>http://ctcl.org/)</p>

<p>Check out Wabash. All-male, high number of students PhDs, give merit aid based on class rank and leadership rather than scores, and a place that screams unique-and not just for the lack of females. School has the “gentleman’s rule” as the only code and acts as an honor code plus much more. Also, if you apply quickly, you could attend 11/5 Top Ten day. top 5% in high school class get $17500, Top Ten get $15000.</p>

<p>If you like sports, the school has great facilities. They have generous budgets for clubs and activities. It is also a Colleges that Change Lives.</p>

<p>Bates
Bowdoin
Carleton
Colby
Colorado College
Connecticut College
Grinnell
Haverford
Knox
Lawrence
Reed
Sewanee
Wesleyan</p>