CRL: the problem is that they think i can do better than what im going for…
One of the most important things to work out is why your parents want you to marry a ben torah. Is it because of their own standards and social pressure, or is it because they believe you are frummer* than you really are? They think you can do better or they think you should do better?
If they have a wrong picture of you, you need to sort that out immediately, before you start anything to do with shidduchim. Your parents have to know who you really are. You have to speak to them, explain what path you have chosen, and hope for the best. It would probably be advisable to have a mentor or teacher who knows you well contact your parents, who can explain from an adult perspective who you are.