Rare case. Chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Last month I posted this thread: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/427327-not-average-high-school-student-suggestions.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/427327-not-average-high-school-student-suggestions.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<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>It pretty much sums up my situation except I have now compiled a list of final colleges I plan on applying to.</p>

<p>Basic Stats:</p>

<p>Ethnicity: African American
GPA: 3.525 Unweighted, around 3.6 Weighted, 4.0 for this school year</p>

<p>SAT: Math: 440 Writing: 500 Critical Reading: 580 (1020/1600)</p>

<p>Valedictorian of current high school</p>

<p>I've taken all honors courses at my previous school, my current school does not offer any but I take the hardest courseload it has to offer.</p>

<p>No EC's due to the condition I was in other than volunteering at my local homeless shelter/soup kitchen and volunteering at a science museum helping elementary school kids learn the basic concepts of science.</p>

<p>Good Recommendations</p>

<p>Great Essays</p>

<p>My current school only has online courses with no physical teachers so I've pretty much "self-taught" myself everything I know.</p>

<p>I know my SAT scores are not the best, but it was my first time taking the test ever (December 1st) and I've had no math classes aside from Algebra I due to having to make up 4 years of high school in 4 months. My math classes start this month and I will be retaking the SAT January 26th. I'm expecting 600 M 650 CR and 650 W for a total of 1900.</p>

<p>The schools I am inquiring about are as follows:</p>

<p>Auburn University
Clemson University
Loyola University - Chicago
University of Michigan (Reach, I know)/Michigan State University
Ohio State University
Penn State - University Park (Reach?)
Purdue University - West LaFayette
University of Tennessee - Knoxville
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Virginia Tech/West Virginia University
Fordham University
Vassar College
SUNY - Stony Brook/Binghamton
University of Wisconsin - Madison
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Georgia Tech/University of Georgia</p>

<p>I am from Florida so I will be an out of state student at all of these colleges.</p>

<p>Also, are there any colleges in the New England area anyone would recommend as a match for me? Thank you and Happy New Year!</p>

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<p>Take the SAT again. Now that you know the routine you will be much more comfortable. Take the ACT as well. You might be surprised because they are very different tests. Use the "Real ACT test prep" book to self assess and do pretests. You took matters into your own hands and self taught most of your knowledge. You are almost homeschooled. Try to get as much independent tests as possible.
Now as for the college choices. Why are you looking at highly structered colleges? Your success was self owned, self directed, self disciplined. To continue that success I recommend looking at colleges that have self directed concentrations and self directed majors. The book "Colleges that Change Lives" is a good start. New College of Florida, College of Wooster, Hampshire College in New England.
I am not recommending this next college because you are African and female: I am recommending this college because they have a good Psych and premed program: Spellman College. It's actually difficult to get into.
The only match I see on your list is Loyola in Chicago.
Good luck and best wishes,</p>

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<p>Hi, and thank you for your response. I will be taking the SAT again on January 26th.</p>

<p>About looking at highly structured colleges - I've always loved "big city" colleges and colleges with a rather large student body. Although I am a very independent person myself, I don't think my college should reflect that completely. I like to be surrounded by a place where I have unlimited choices and resources to do what I want no matter what. I have looked into small liberal arts colleges and I just would not fit in there since I enjoy a mix of both conformity and individuality. With a big university I just feel as if I could do a plethora of activities whereas I would feel limited at a small liberal arts college.</p>

<p>Also, since I never really had the proper "high school experience", it's what I'm looking forward to in college. I never socialized nor did any activities that a "normal" teenager experienced and I am looking forward to having those experiences in college. I feel like if I were to attend a small liberal arts college I would remain as reclusive as I have been and I don't want that.</p>

<p>Regarding Spelman, I'm not a fan of all women colleges nor historically black colleges.</p>

<p>Thank you for your suggestions and wishes, I greatly appreciate them :)</p>

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<p>Melissa, I agree with Theresa also about taking the ACT. Some people do better on that test than on the SAT. Some of the schools I would probably steer towards on your list are Auburn, Loyola, UMass, WVU and UT. Also, UT looks at your essay and other factors when considering applicants. I am unsure on some of the others and it is hard to tell without your new scores. Another school to maybe consider would be University of Vermont. It is located in a great college town.</p>

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<p>Thanks! :)</p>

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<p>whoa......that's interesting?</p>

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<p>Hm...Thank you? Haha</p>