<p>I struggled throughout most of my high school career and felt as if I really did not belong there. Part of it was being diagnosed Aspberger's my freshman year but I also had a strong opposition to teachers trying to teach me what they thought I should know and not what I thought was valuable. I looked strongly at some early entrance programs but my parents did not think I would be able to handle it socially. I held on in hopes that college would be better and managed to pull a 3.2 and a 29 on my ACT.</p>
<p>Not really caring about my college applications, I procrastinated till it was too late to get into any good colleges. A local Southern Baptist school offered me a huge scholarship based upon my ACT score. Bad thing is that many of the problems that existed in high school have carried over to this school; indoctrination, judgmental people, etc.</p>
<p>I really do not know what to do. I've managed to do very well here; 4.0 and quality community service. Any advice?</p>
<p>I suggest thinking about what you might really like to get out of college, both academically & socially. Then look for schools that might work for you. Consider a transfer down the road (of course finances will figure into this). You are doing well in college & your high school problems will become less important in the transfer process with a great college track record. If you can hang in there another year, you will save some money & have a really good shot at the school of your choice. Of course, if you can't stand another year there, don't stay if your gpa will suffer as a result. You'll want to transfer after this year is that's the case. Just make sure you try to find a place that will be a good fit for you.</p>
<p>The Bad News: Unfortunately all that annoys you will, to some extent, be there in most if not all aspects of your life. How this effects you, though, is up to you.</p>
<p>The Good News: Congrats at the stellar GPA and finding a passion in community service. Embrace what's working. Take a look at what is annoying or not working and see if it is something you can change (or care to change). We have both adults and children in my extended family w/ Asperger's. I'm going to put you in the adult category. The social person-to-person stuff can be hard. Try to find a support network that can help you through the rough spots (trust me, you are not alone).</p>
<p>I sounds to me like you'd be happier in a large university where there are all kinds of people to mingle with, perhaps more open minds, and also enough people that you can, ironically, have a little more personal space or anonymity when you want it.</p>
<p>If you can put in another year, like kelsmom said, you would be in a good position to transfer. Maybe you can use this time to get most of your general ed requirements done. It will save you a lot of money to stay put with your scholarship this year, though.</p>
<p>But, sometimes when you have to go, you have to go. Only you can know what course to take. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>I've looked at a lot of the colleges that have an unusual curriculum or approach to learning. UChicago, Marlboro, Hampshire, and St. Johns. </p>
<p>See, I do not do well in large settings. I have really bad anxiety attacks and struggle with groups as small as 30-40 people. Right now, I'm attending a school that has 500 people in it and I really like that facet. Everyone on campus is immediately recognizable.</p>
<p>I think you need to find a good therapist to meet with every 1 or 2 weeks-work on social skills and have a person that you like to report your successes or problems to-this is an incredible time for you to work on this-you already have a comfortable small environment where you are succeeding acedemically--so go for the gold in your social life-</p>
<p>You have not said where in the country you would be willing to go and if you need a city or if a small town would be OK. I think a small school such as Kenyon would be worth a look. Also Linfield in Oregon has a rolling admission so you could even consider transfering in January.</p>
<p>I also wanted to add, that I really don't think Reed would be the place to learn social skills or to learn to deal with anxiety, although I do agree a small community could feel more supportive- a larger school would have a larger cohort and possibly more specific supports.</p>
<p>My daughters roommate and still good friend, senior yr in college has Aspergers' but frankly, on the few times that I had met him, including sharing meals, he was very charming and seemed more adept socially than my daughter who is * not* Aspie. not diagnosed anyway.
( however- I believe she makes more effort when she is with people other than her mom)</p>