<p>Junior year ends tomorrow for me; and all I can think when I look back is what a year of wasted potential. While friends were off taking 3, 4, and some even 5 or more AP/weighted classes, I unfortunetly was hanging out with my slacker friends when I signed up for classes last year, and only took two (APUSH and APENG), convinced that I would do better if I took easier classes and got higher grades. Now I regret that. A lot. If that wasn't bad enough, my parents made me quit sports, one of my main EC's so that I could focus more on school, thinking that I wouldn't have the time for both. Turns out I did. </p>
<p>Having free time my junior year actually made me feel so useless that I almost attempted suicide at the end of last semester when even with a somewhat mellow schedule, I only earned sub-par grades (3 B's). I honestly don't know if I should be posting here or some kind of depression forum, I'm not trying to waste anyone's time or get some kind of sick sympathy, but I just feel like all my chances at getting into the colleges I wanted to go to just got shot down because of stupid, stupid, stupid decisions.</p>
<p>one of which is my SAT (2100 first time, those classes did kinda pay off) but even still, I just incredibly dissappointed in myself cause I feel that I have severely limited my chances for colleges because I have just made a crapload of stupid decisions in high school and ultimately, just really felt like I got scared off and pushed around by everyone else and really didn't do anything I wanted to in junior year and to an extent, high school in general.</p>
<p>I'm planning on pushing myself like crazy over the summer and senior year by taking night classes, cc classes outside of school and going back to all my EC's and adding on new ones, but I guess what I'm asking is; are colleges even gonna care knowing that I messed up junior year so badly?</p>
<p>The fact that you’re out of the running for the most selective programs is acknowledged by you. So what? Really.</p>
<p>Hundreds of thousands of your peers are going to less than top-20 colleges and the earth is not going to split. The fact that you can master hard coursework is definitely a plus. Your 2100 SAT will open many doors for you. Your goal now is to do the best you can, stay focused and then select a wise list of colleges to target for admission. </p>
<p>Also, remove from yourself the pressure to do ECs. Only the tippy top schools factor in ECs from all their 4.0 GPA and 2200SAT applicants. You’re not competing with them. The colleges you’ll be applying to will only care about your transcript and your test scores. And you’ll have many offers come next April if you craft your college list carefully.</p>
<p>All is not lost. Far from it. You’ve already shown achievement and potential that most kids dream about.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you and try to enjoy your summer, preparing for a diligent senior year and college application season.</p>
<p>I understand you’re disappointed but you need to keep some perspective. You characterize as “slacking” that you only took 2 AP classes? Bs are poor grades? </p>
<p>No. You are still doing better than the VAST majority of high school students. And I’m talking about the non-slacking, college-bound kids that care about their grades and the futures. Even if you don’t make Ivy League, so what??? That’s enough to make you suicidal? For your own sake, open up your eyes to the many, many excellent colleges out there that are yours for the taking. </p>
<p>You’re fine. You’re not perfect, and that’s fine, too. Relax just a little. :)</p>
<p>“Having free time my junior year actually made me feel so useless that I almost attempted suicide at the end of last semester when even with a somewhat mellow schedule.”</p>
<p>Is this hyperbole or were you seriously suicidal? If the latter, then the last thing you need is to be in a stressful, hyper-competitive academic university or college where Bs make you feel worthless. What you do need is to ask your parents or school guidance counselor to help you find a psychologist who can work with you, especially during the very stressful college application year, so you retain some perspective and can be checked for depression and other potential risk factors. There is no reason to suffer alone. Ask for help.</p>
<p>If this was merely hyperbole - and you are just feeling miserable and mad at yourself - then T26E4 is right on. Start exploring all the amazing schools that are out there for kids with less than perfect grades. You’ll be astounded at how good your options are - and once you are in college, it’s a clean slate and you start over.</p>
<p>Remember also that there are lots of schools that will give you scholarships for your GPA and SAT scores. Explore options that will minimize the financial burden of college, especially if you want to pursue grad school. Going somewhere cheap where you’ll excel academically will help in the long run.</p>
<p>There’s still so many schools that are open to you where you can get a great education and come out doing well. Top schools aren’t the only ticket to success.</p>