advice for strictly average little bro!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So, it's a little late in the game, but I'm looking for more ideas for my brother! His GPA and SAT scores weren't what we had expected so I'm lost because I didn't look at these kinds of schools.</p>

<p>Academics:
-3.1GPA, honors history and literature through sophomore year, 3 APs junior year, 3 senior year
-until this year when the school stopped block scheduling, 2 of his classes every year were required to be band
-up to Spanish 4
-one of top public schools in Georgia
-24 ACT, 1140 SAT old scale
-will have excellent essays and recommendations</p>

<p>ECs:
-4 years in award winning marching band (and participation in Band of Americas) and associated leadership camps
-4 years in top band, this year 2nd chair
-literary club
-computers honors society
-community baseball all 4 years
-lots of community service
-published author and might send in a poetry portfolio</p>

<p>(not much, but band is a 15+ hour a week commitment)</p>

<p>He's probably the smartest person I know, but he struggles with standardized testing and the average public school system, but excels in courses where he can do his own research or the subject matter interests him. Typical teenage boy, eh? </p>

<p>His top school is Clark University in MA and wants to apply early decision, but it's almost a reach for him. He wants to be in New England, preferably in Boston or at least very easily accessible to a major airport because he won't have a car and will be flying in from Atlanta.</p>

<p>Other schools he is considering:
Oglethorpe University (Atlanta)
Bryant College (RI)
Suffolk University (MA)</p>

<p>He really hates all of those schools, with the exception of Clark which he adores. Anyone know of any Clark-like schools? He's planning on being a psych and philosophy double major and would like to eventually pursue a career in law. Religious schools are out as he's a flaming atheist and very argumentative about it- though he'd love Brandeis if he could have gotten in. He also does not want a commuter school or a large school (any larger than 10,000 is probably too big) Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Since this is already on page 2 and no one has taken the time to respond.. I'll go ahead and bump it.</p>

3

<p>If he likes Clark there are alot of small LACs in MA - Stonehill, Endicott, Babson, Curry, Wheaton. Roger Williams or Providence in RI? Quinnipiac in CT. Being from GA will help, as will the Y chr - both underrepresented here.</p>

4

<p>Just curious-how did doing away with block scheduling go over? If they tried it at our school, I think there would be rioting in the streets.</p>

5

<p>looked at Endicott College? Based on their published accepted students stats this might be a low match. Endicott is located 20 miles northeast of Boston in Beverly, MA. Beverly is on the MBTA commuter rail line that runs up the North Shore. They do offer a B.S. in Psychology, but only a minor in Philosophy. </p>

<p>Many smaller schools in New England that match your brother's stats were founded by various Catholic orders. This affiliation does not mean, however, that the ambience of the school is haevily religious. There can be a big difference between schools founded by or affiliated with a religious group. Unless your brother is as "in your face" about his athiesm as some evangelicals are about their Christianity I don't think he should exclude a college just because it was established by a Catholic order or other religious denomination.</p>

6

<p>I agree with hudsonvalley and I might have him take a look at St. Michael's college. It's extremely liberal for a Catholic school, located right outside of Burlington Vermont and it's known for its excellent teaching. I also think almost everyone lives on campus. While his stats are on the low end for St. Michael's, it has an EA option (so he might be able to apply to Clark ED and St. Michael's EA, but you would have to check that)</p>

7

<p>missypie, my D goes to same school as silverclovers brother, and I can tell you my D absolutely HATES it. She is depressed every day, she says you barely get into a topic and the bell rings. From what she says, that is the general concensus of the students, so much for a memorable senior year...</p>

8

<p>Look at University of Denver--a smaller school, very supportive, and he might have a geographic tip factor. Also check out Michigan State or Indiana if he wants something bigger.</p>

9

<p>very good school, but the last I looked it was a few miles west of Boston. The OP said his brother is looking in the Boston, Massachusetts area. I only point this out because before you know it people are going to start suggesting "Elon" or "Reed" or "Rhodes College," and while they are all good schools they don't address the OP's question.</p>

10

<p>bump (10 char)</p>

11

<p>well considering your son's preference I would suggest the following</p>

<p>Stonehill- same as whatever Clark is rated as (probably a slight reach-reach). Not quite as good as Clark academically though, its only as hard as it is because of its looks.
Wheaton (MA)- reach, but a very good school. The reach is a reachable one though!
UMASS (Amherst)- a slight reach, but very good as it is part of the 5-school system (he can study in amherst and hampshire, etc...). only problem- 15k+ students eeek?
Keene State College- probably a safety but I'm not sure. this is in NH though...
St. Lawrence University- Slight Reach-Big Reach, not sure how that would match up and its in NY but good for his interests i think</p>