<p>Hello, I am an African-American female from Florida. I've had an interesting high school record...to say the least.</p>
<p>At the age of 12 I was diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder and institutionalized in a mental asylum for four months, which had a negative effect on my education. In 9th grade I became overwhelmed with depression leading me to only complete the first semester, and not go to school for the entire second semester. In 10th grade this repeated. For my junior year, I went to an alternative learning center from September - November but ran into some more difficulties. Due to the school's lack of transportation for their student's, I relied on the city bus for getting to and from school. In October I was violated and stalked (he showed up at my job) by a sexual predator. He made me feel disgusted with myself and I sunk back into depression, which led me to missing the rest of the school term.</p>
<p>In August of this year I returned to the same school with 9 credits (Sophomore level) and now I currently have 19 credits, as a senior. My freshman year I had a 2.8 GPA, a 2.6 my sophomore year, and now I currently have a 4.0 for my senior year. This averages out to about a 3.52 unweighted and around a 3.6ish weighted GPA. I am currently valedictorian at the school I am attending now (about 350 students) but will be returning to my old high school to graduate next semester, where I should be top 10%. My courseload for the second semester will include: Honors Pre-Calculus, AP Psychology, AP Spanish, AP Chemistry and AP Literature. So, by the time I graduate, I'll have around a 3.65-3.7 GPA.</p>
<p>I have weaned myself off of all of the medications I was taking and haven't seen a psychiatrist in over three years, except for my old psychiatrist I had spoken to when I picked up my records...she said she couldn't believe I was the same person and saw no trace of Bi-polar disorder or any mental disease for that matter. I've also lost 95 pounds since July of last year, all of which came from my own self-discipline.</p>
<p>Now that all of the tough stuff is out of the way, my question to you is, which schools would I be fit/a match for out of state? My preference is the south/midwest/north region in particular, but I am open to almost anything. I've applied to a few in-state colleges, but wanted to explore my options in case there's something better out there for me. My intended major will be Pre-Med with a focus in psychology, as I want to become a psychiatrist.</p>
<p>Any suggestions are greatly appreciated, and so are you for reading this :)</p>
<p>I’m so sorry, but you have shown great perseverence to get where you are now. I have no doubt you will succeed in whatever you undertake. You should look into the New College of Florida. It’s a great, small school that may help you develop and find your passion. However, you don’t mention any SAT/ACT scores. Is this because you didn’t take any. In that case, there are many northern colleges that don’t even ask for SATs. I will be happy to list them.</p>
<p>Thank you for your suggestion, I’ve only heard very little about New College…but isn’t it a religious school? I could be very wrong. As for SAT scores, I just took the test December 1st for the first time and am a little shaky about my test scores (math in particularly) because the school I am attending has a computer-based curriculum and lacks a teacher to explain the concepts and I’ve always felt that reading words on a computer screen was never adequate enough for me to properly learn math. I am hoping for at least a 1700, though.</p>
<p>I would be very grateful if you would list them for me :)</p>
<p>Melissa, I’m very sorry also. Two SAT optional schools that I can think of are Bates and Franklin & Marshall. Both are highly respected. Bates is located in a small town and F&M is located in Lancaster PA. Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>Per anyone’s knowledge, would I have any chances at the following colleges?</p>
<p>New York University
Boston College/Boston University
Pennsylvania State University—University Park
Virginia Tech
University of Tennessee
Northeastern University
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
UNC - Chapel Hill
University of Georgia</p>
<p>I would suggest you look at small, liberal arts colleges, as they’ll give you more individualized attention and be more flexible about these kinds of things than big state universities. </p>
<p>Bard College in upstate NY and Connecticut College are both schools that are SAT-optional (though Conn requires either the ACT or two subject tests in place of the SATs). I think you have a great shot, especially if you let the colleges know about your situation. Good luck!</p>
<p>Perhaps Sarah Lawrence? I’d suggest looking at schools like that and New College, ones that are less traditional and more willing to accept non-traditional high school students. I could give you some more suggestions, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, as those are precisely the types of schools I’m personally interested in. I mention Sarah Lawrence first because I know it has a great psychology program.</p>
<p>Of the schools you mentioned, the only ones I know about (NYU and Boston University) are rather driven by numbers, so while your perseverence is very courageous and I’m sure will be accounted for by those schools, we need your SAT score to really be able to let you know about your chances.</p>
<p>Going off of what teenage_cliche suggested, my sister went to Sarah Lawrence and loved it. She said it was very “offbeat” and perfect for the non traditional student. She said it was rigorous but offered different approaches to learning. SLC is also SAT optional, you should note.</p>
<p>Wow, Bard College is one of the top Liberal Arts colleges in the nation…I never thought I would be matched to a school like that! I will definitely look into Sarah Lawrence as well, thank you both so much for your suggestions!</p>
<p>Also, teenage_cliche, I would love to hear more suggestions from you. I am particularly fascinated with schools in the New York/Chicago/Boston area.</p>
<p>I usually look for rather large colleges such as the University of Florida, which I have applied to in order to kind of compensate in a sense for the socialism I lacked/missed out on in high school. But, the smaller, more intimate liberal arts colleges everyone has suggested will definitely fit my situation and I will definitely consider this option.</p>
<p>Other schools like Sarah Lawrence in New York and in the Northeast are Hampshire (which seems like it would be great for you socially because it’s a small school with the academic and social resources of 5 schools, including UMass-Amherst), Bennington (though it’s rather more isolated and more north than you may like), and Marlboro.
Some other small liberal arts colleges you might want to consider in that area are Vassar and Wesleyan, though Wes is definitely a reach for anyone. If you’re interested in all-women’s colleges, there’s Barnard (which is across the street from Columbia), Smith and Mt. Holyoke (2 of the other 4 colleges near Hampshire), and Wellesley.</p>
<p>I don’t really know how strong the psychology programs at most of those are, but I think Hampshire’s is pretty strong and I remember finding the names of the classes really cool. It has a psycholology program as well as a cognitive science one as well as two that I find really interesting called “Culture, Brain, and Development” and “Childhood, Youth, and Learning.”</p>
<p>I thought Vassar would be a huge reach since it’s one of the top liberal arts colleges period.</p>
<p>Hampshire sounds like a good school for me I am currently searching for information on it right now. Thank you so much, I appreciate all of your help :)</p>
<p>It sounds as if you have the total and awesome dedication to make you succeed anywhere, under any circumstances. In which case, you really do have a shot at the best liberal arts schools in the country. Do check out the 7 Sisters, and for a less selective women’s college, see Agnes Scott (which is well-reputed and just outside Atlanta).</p>
<p>I am seriously so impressed at that kind of toughness. If you can convey your experiences and triumphs to an admissions committee at any school, who wouldn’t want you?</p>
<p>hollyert - Thank you for your kind words. It’s just kind of weird thinking that I could get into a top college because 2 years ago I figured I’d either be forced to drop out because of my condition or just attend community college. These days, I could never see myself only attending community college because I have set my goals so much higher and my aspirations transcend so far beyond that, but it is still a shock to know that I could have a shot at some of the best liberal art schools in the country due to my past.</p>
<p>But, that is why I am here, I wanted to know what everyone’s opinions would be on which college’s I would be fit for, so keep them coming :)</p>
<p>I would say, apply to some selective schools, you have nothing to lose. Just make sure you have some safeties in there as well so that if you don’t get in for some reason, you have a Plan B. </p>
<p>You seem like you’re doing an amazing job! Keep it up!!</p>
<p>PS- Especially since you are a florida resident, I really think you should check out the New College of Florida. It’s an excellent liberal arts school with instate tuition (huge plus, definitely look at it if finances are an issue) and it’s supposed to be very intellectually stimulating!</p>
<p>melissa, also look at Bryn Mawr. Its an all women’s college located near Philly. I believe it is good in your major. It is also highly respected.</p>
<p>You’ve all been so very helpful. I’ve compiled a list of colleges I would like to apply to and I was wondering if anyone could give me any insight as to if I look like a good candidate for each or not? Thank you :)</p>
<p>Boston University
University of Connecticut
New York University
Georgia Tech
Penn State University - University Park
Virginia Tech</p>
<p>I’ve already applied to University of Florida (which is my first choice) and Florida State University, and will be applying to University of Central Florida and University of South Florida within the week.</p>
<p>I would still recommend liberal arts colleges (LACs) as an alternative to larger universities including co-ed Oberlin (OH), Earlham (IN), Knox (IL) and Guilford (NC) and women only Spelman (GA) and Hollins (VA).</p>
<p>Larger endowments generally allow more generous financial aid. Grinnell (IA) is one of the best LACs in this regard. It along with all-female Smith (MA) and Mt. Holyoke (MA) are extremely competitive but may all be worth investigating. All-women Agnes Scott (GA) and co-ed Lyon (AR) are also U.S. News Best Values. The previously mentioned LACs will attempt to meet financial need but won’t likely be as generous.</p>