<p>Actually, we were just looking around at the site and saw the essay primers and thought they were great! (That and the house system, thinking processes, ect ect) makes me wish I was 17 again. </p>
<p>You are right they have chem and biochem no chemeng we saw that too.</p>
<p>Mombot, </p>
<p>No, realistic is appreciated I only take your comments as a positive contribution. He's taking ACT w/writing on 12/8 that was the first chance he could register. I'm putting ND on his to investigate list, heck even if they did loose to the two armed services teams in the last 2 weeks :)</p>
<p>^^^I should clarify that my son's concern about hands-on research at U. Chicago was specific to the computer science major--it is part of the math department there. However, if your son's interests are in biochem and/or chemistry, there is a brand new building full of labs and a program in place for undergrads to apply for research positions in the labs.</p>
<p>Last year's essay prompt (Chicago) to describe yourself as a mathematical function produced a wonderful essay from my son--very astute, witty, and quite a good picture of him as a person and a student.</p>
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I'm putting ND on his to investigate list, heck even if they did loose to the two armed services teams in the last 2 weeks
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</p>
<p>Rivers are running backwards and frogs are falling from the sky. Tel-evangelists are circling their Mercedes wagons. The End Times must be near.</p>
<p>Mombot --
Student is a URM with at least one parent who didn't go to college. He is just the type of candidate for whom top schools adjust expectations for standardized test scores. He has a 4 and a 5 on the AP tests he's taken so far. Colleges know he'll do just fine.</p>
<p>If he does better on the Nov. tests that will be great....but, even if he doesn't, he should still keep some of these reaches on his list.</p>
<p>Go to the website of North Carolina Central and see what merit scholarships they are offering and whether your son qualifies.</p>
<p>Two years ago, based on his being a National Achievement Semifinalist, my S was offered a full ride plus the option of getting an engineering degree thru Duke. I believe how it worked was he'd do his first 2 years at NC Central, and last 2 years at Duke.</p>
<p>NC Central is a historically black college that is not highly ranked, but is trying to increase its ranking by attracting top students through merit aid. The possibility of getting a Duke engineering degree would be an excellent option for students interested in engineering.</p>
<p>I seem to remember that S also could have gotten a laptop.</p>
<p>Could be an excellent option for your S, at the last a safety that he could use to negotiate better financial aid/merit aid from colleges that he prefers.</p>
<p>I believe that Morehouse also offers excellent aid to National Achievement Scholars (and possibly semifinalists). A few years ago, I know someone whose S got a full ride that included his being able to get a BA and maybe a MA in engineering from Ga. Tech.</p>
<p>Warning -- that scholarship had very strict gpa requirements. The student whom I know lost his scholarship because of falling .5 or so points below the gpa requirement one semester when he was taking a tough curriculum. However, that student did have some very serious mental health problems (that were diagnosed later), so it's possible that he would have earned the grades to keep the scholarship if he had been in good health.</p>
<p>DTDad, I agree with many of the posters that he should apply to a range of schools. I think that even if his SAT scores don't rise he should be in the running for a host of schools. If he can, I would apply to more rather than less schools, the only reason being that you never know which schools will be attracted by him and which schools will offer an aid package that you can live with.</p>
<p>One piece of advice that I would add. I would look at all of schools that he is thinking about applying to and see what the requirements are for SAT II tests. My D is applying to engineering programs and the ones that she is considering that require SAT II, they require two SAT II's, one Math and one Science. I would consider him only taking two SAT II's, pick whatever subject (bio or chem) he thinks that he would do better in. Two tests in one day is very doable, fatigue sets in after that and may affect his scores. But if he really wants to, go for three. </p>
<p>Another thing if you haven't thought about it yet. Use the four free schools that the SAT offers and send them to the schools that require SAT II's. He has to have them and there is no time to retake so take advantage and save a little money.</p>
<p>Consider Bucknell Univ in rural central Pennsylvania. It's a strong engineering school, but is also a strong liberal arts school (a rare combo!) and it's actively trying to boost it's minority numbers. I understand it's need-based financial aid is quite good.</p>
<p>2boysinma: any kid who can get in the high 600s first time through should be able to get at least one score up above 700, and I disagree that students who are URMs are told they have a good chance with scores that frankly would disqualify an advantaged student from an ubercompetitive school.</p>
<p>DTDad is looking for merit aid opportunities, and even though a lot of the schools they are investigating do not offer merit aid, his son's options open up quite a bit once he cracks that 700 barrier.</p>
<p>Maybe DTDad can enlighten us but when I went back and reread his OP this is what I gleaned from it. (and DTDad, correct me if I'm wrong).</p>
<p>I suspect that his EFC is very near or below the cost of a public college. Therefore if his S applies to 100% need schools, his COA should be near the COA of his local flagship. Unfortunately a 1320 will not merit much aid at some local flagship schools (the one in my state does not and is very number oriented regardless of URM status). Now the public flagship may come through with some money to sweeten the pot, so to speak, but why not try and apply to need blind, 100% meets need schools. </p>
<p>Personally, DTDad, I think that UChicago is a great school for him to apply to. I think that Rice would also be worth a try. I think and I may be wrong (and I'm sure I'll be corrected if I am) that Rice limits undergrad debt to $14,000 and will meet the rest of your need with grants. I also think that he might try and apply to Rose-Hulman. They are not known for their generous financial or merit aid but I've heard that if they really want you, they will try to work with a financial package. They would love to diversify and if your S would be happy there, it's worth a try. RHIT is a no fee app, quick turnaround and no essay.</p>
<p>I think that your strategy is great. My D is applying with the same idea in mind and I hope that she has some success come April.</p>
<p>Right now I wish it was below the COA of our state flagship but our EFC is well above the COA for our State Flagship but no so much that the "others" might still be a better overall value. Since the merit schools will need better than his current SAT, 11/20 is a big day for him. If he can break through into the mid 700's he should have alot more choices, both need and merit. Since we don't know how those test are going to turn out we have 3 list currently. </p>
<p>Local State U (Big 10 School), 3 other with programs and merit (Wis-Madison, UM-Ann Arbor) </p>
<p>Then his others- UofC, WUSL, NWestern, MIT ect...ect.. </p>
<p>The list is about 15-17 U's long right now (most from this thread), post his 11/20 results we will get that down to about 10 </p>
<p>Rose-Hulman, what kind of student satisfaction scores? </p>
<p>Ultimate goal, find a place he can thrive the next 4 years. </p>
<p>Thanks for the great insight on Rice, any other Schools have a maximum debt limit like that?</p>
<p>DTDad, with your very high income and worth, why do you allow you son to work that many hours? On one hand, you are very pround of he is working and on the other hand you think his working hour has something to do with his relative low SAT I score.</p>
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Since the merit schools will need better than his current SAT
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It depends on how much merit money you are looking for. My d. had SATs significantly lower than your son but was offered nice merit money from some colleges. Northeastern U. offered her $10K, for example. </p>
<p>I don't know about getting a full ride anywhere, but definitely SATs aren't the whole story for merit aid. My d. did have a strong high school GPA and was ranked near the top of her class, and her test scores were reasonably strong for the merit offering schools.</p>
<p>So however it goes, your son is going to have a lot of options. I think that you simply need to talk with him about your expectations & limits as to finances, so he knows going in what he will need in terms of either need-based or merit aid.</p>
<p>He would also be a strong contender for the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarships at Brandeis:</p>
<p>Full tuition, room and board for four years. Awarded on the basis of academic performance and extracurricular participation in secondary school, outstanding community involvement and demonstrated financial need. Brandeis</a> Admissions | Costs/Financial Aid | Scholarships</p>
<p>You should also add Tulane to your list.</p>
<p>He would probably get some $$ from Boston U (which are pretty up front when stating what your chances are (click link that says probablity of receiving scholarships):</p>
<p>Just a suggestion ... has he looked into Kettering University? It's a terrific place for a kid who isn't afraid to work hard (co-op school). I would bet merit opportunities would be excellent for him here. While this school may not be on the radar of the average CC person, it is definitely known in the engineering world. It is a small school, but there is a very good support system for minority students. From my experience, African American students seem to feel very comfortable at KU. I don't know if that is important to your son, but I offer that info in case it is.</p>
<p>Allow me to join the DTDad and DTson support group and fan club.</p>
<p>I haven't seen this aspect discussed much here (maybe I missed it), so will bring it up: Your son will likely have many great choices once April comes around. He is the type of student and person that so many colleges want. But the schools suggested are such a broad range in location, atmosphere, size... and many other features. They also vary in how they approach financial aid - need-based only, merit aid, type of student/% of students who might hope for merit aid. So, if you and he haven't already done this, he should think about what type of school he wants - big-time sports? a school where he, personally, can play a sport (if so, varsity, IM, club? lots of playing time or not)? frat atmosphere or not? is male/female ratio important? urban/rural/college town? And so on.</p>
<p>If he has some of those criteria locked in, let us know and we can fine tune our own suggestions and perhaps help in your fine-tuning of the list.</p>
<p>To come up with his preferences, has he had the opportunity to visit any schools? Even if not the actual schools he's considering, visits to campuses fairly near you that represent the "archetypes" could help.</p>
<p>What is his state school's caliber?</p>
<p>Is he certain about Engineering? I notice that he was drawn to U Chicago, which might be a real clue to the type of school that will be for him (or not). I didn't think they had Engineering. If he is CERTAIN he wants the Engineering, he will want to limit his choices to that.</p>
<p>Some have mentioned 3/2 programs for Engineering. This is an option. But do have him think about it - it works for some kids. Others are reported not to want to leave their home campus and non-Engineering friends just when their Senior year is coming up.</p>
<p>Keep us posted. We want to follow your family's travels all the way.</p>
<p>I would not say "very high" but enough that the merit/need equation is a tough call assuming his SAT remains static and as a result he gets little merit. To answer your specific question, yes I am proud that he works hard and in (retrospect) I think working late the previous day may have had an impact. My S told me he had a tough time w/focus that morning after working late. That is also why he didn't work the friday before this current test. He works Fri PM, Sat, school holidays and every now and then 1 other day a week. The SAT is Saturday AM, in hindsight he should have taken that Friday off, he didn't we can't go back and change that now, so we go forward. </p>
<p>As I look at my S's confidence, pride, ability to work with others, interact with adults, work hard and manage his time, I have no regrets for the decisions made. I would estimate that a 20-30% of his earnings go to doing things with his younger sib's. It's one thing for a teenager to spend mom & dad's money on his/her sib's, quite another for him to take younger sibs's to the ice cream (Smoothy King) store, movies or bowling using his own money <em>by choice.</em> </p>
<p>He does it not because he has too or because we lack the money, we don't. He does it because he enjoys sharing and giving what he has <em>earned</em>. </p>
<p>I'm raising a good man not just a good student. </p>