<p>I go on these forums because for a year I was a frantic mom who had a kid who screwed up a year of her high school and it took her an additional semester to graduate. Her first ACT score was a 17, second 28 and third a 30. You are only 17 and no your life is not over, and you are so young. First get your mental health in check. My daughter had issues so I can relate. Second, it is your life and follow your heart. Third don’t reach for the stars and then hit yourself for not getting there. I don’t think you have a chance at Washington University at this time. Think about it, if you can’t handle the course load and stress at this time at WashU you will be more so depressed and feel more so like a failure. My daughter took an extra semester to graduate to bump up her GPA. She was a year behind but got her GPA higher and her ACT to 30. She did not get into her dream school Duke but LOVES her college she chose. A top public college. She can do her masters at Duke if she still is interested. With hard work and a clear head you will be just fine. Your worth and success is NOT based on this one college. You are only 17 so don’t load your plate with impossible goals. If needed do what my daughter did. Take less classes, do well in them, graduate a bit later, write a kick ass essay how you rose out of the trenches to get to your dream, tell your parents you love them but have another dream. Like my daughter said after the rough waves subsided. It all worked out for the best. She took an ACT class and it helped tremendously. See if your school offers one or simply buy the book and do study tests. It helped her. Oh, your already at a Community College and you hate it. Did you graduate high school? If not go back to HS and finish there. See what the rules are but in IL it is 21 of age you can attend high school.</p>