<p>Maybe my school was more than a tier below where I could’ve gone. I wasn’t much into ranking when I applied. I thought college was college. But the 1st 2 years of school, following my advisement did not have any of the classes you mentioned. I was 1st gen college so perhaps not saavy enough and assuming that COLLEGE was supposed to be challenging because it was well, college, without having to ask for extra work. How the TA’s who were teaching my classes would’ve received that request might have been interesting though. But I don’t think it would be that far of a stretch to think that many of the students profiled in this study might not have even been aware that they were “over-qualified” for the schools they attended. And aside from my academic qualifications, I can’t believe my circumstances were “that” atypical. Money was a non issue, need based aid covered everything. And I could only work so many hours with my work study job so that wasn’t an issue either. Maybe the lack of academic demands contributes to being easily distracted by everything else. But not everyone who drops out, flunks out. I just felt pretty “meh” about the whole experience. Sure I had a lot of fun at the parties. But I really was in college to get an education and it just wasn’t impressive enough to justify my time and money (typical teen attitude right?). Now, my whole search for college went nothing like what I’m reading on these boards and maybe for most kids, it isn’t that way either. I knew nothing about honors programs or research opportunities or anything like that. And I went to the top magnet school in my city. I applied to schools I heard of, ones with easy applications, and places that seemed “cool”. A classmate who I had better stats than, was accepted to Penn. I never even thought to apply. I was smart but no way was I “that” smart…lol. In the end I sent a last minute application to the school I attended, a local university a few blocks from home. I just hope my son can learn from my mistakes.</p>