^^^ There are colleges for everyone. Your D is not unusual. I think we get caught up in the “achiever model” that is heavily represented on CC. The reality is, most people aren’t looking to get in to top schools and will do perfectly fine at their state U. A problem arises when either student or parent (or both) just aren’t realistic. Important to have realistic expectations. Can’t do regular work and expect outstanding outcome, you get regular outcome.
Regarding fit, there are tons of schools to explore (that she’s a realistic prospect). The same fit criteria applies (size, local, cost, etc.)
If she is unrealistic about the mismatch of her results and a certain set of schools, you may just want to explain that to even have a chance of admission, you have to do these X things (whatever they are). If she’s not willing to do them, she clearly doesn’t want to attend that level of school, and most likely, wouldn’t thrive there.
Have two kids. S is a freshman at highly selective private. He is on that “track”. Has always been a top everything, but more importantly, he cares. Doing well in school has always been a priority for him. D is a different kid. She’s very smart but not academic (big difference). Her focus is musical theater and could care less about traditional classes. I’ve told her many times that you still have to get in to a school to get in to their BFA program. (Turns out some care a lot about regular admissions and others don’t). She does OK in HS . I’ve told her she’s limiting her options. So in reality, she’ll either audition in to a top BFA program (ridiculously competitive but her school does quite well with that) or she’ll go to state U - and save me a bunch of money. She knows attending a leading private for academics is not in the cards (and she doesn’t care).