In December 2012 I decided I wanted an attractive girlfriend. I told myself I'd get off my lazy ass, and do whatever it takes to get me a girl I like.
So I started approaching women, and asking them out, and going on dates.
It's now April. I've been on about 5 first dates a month. I know some people can do more, but I work and study and only have 2 evenings a week free. Whatever.

Yes I'm a beginner compared to some people here. But I do okay. But I see people every day of my life with girlfriends who have never even heard of PU. Of the girls I've been on dates with, around 60% I haven't ended up being attracted to. Of the rest who I have had a connection with, I haven't gotten a second date. Surely probability says that if I keep going out with a range of girls, at least one who I find desirable will like me back???
It's almost as if them liking me, and me finding them interesting, are mutually exclusive. I'm not even that picky!
I'm at college but I don't have my own place. Big deal, I can't Fclose on a first date, but there's a million and one couples on campus who didn't Fclose on their first date and are as happy as ever.

I feel like I'm absolutely trying my best and not getting the results I want.
Seriously it shouldn't be this hard.

Easier to sleep with girls and then turn them in to gf's IMO. Trying the other way around friendzones yourself. Focus more on getting laid, then once you've got an eye for talent you can look at a serious relationship. Also ask yourself why you want a girlfriend and write it down. Seriously look at the reasoning in depth. Might reveal why you're actually having problems. If you start off with the wrong motivations e.g fitting in or validation then it's bad for game. Not saying you have got the wrong motivations but it's a good starting point to build from

I am trying, reaching even to try and find something nice to say but, your post is awful. It is a pua forum and your talking about a gf with women you don't even like let alone had sex with. For all I know, this could be an internet gf or something? If you find someone equally desperate and in scarcity, you can call that gf. If you have options in college, why would you bother unless you met the right person? I think your pua goals need adjusting.