We are trying to come up with a realistic list for DS. He has 3.8 GPA and has ec activities but SAT he is struggling.
I do believe he will do fine in engineering its just seems to be that test. He wants Electrical engineering. We live in NJ. Rowan is VERY close to our house so he really isn’t happy about that school but hopefully he will change his mind. Other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
He would be offered scholarship at this small specialty school, Capitol Technology University, based on my son’s experience. Another friend thrived and works in aerospace at NASA Goddard.
But Capitol does not have music ECs.
(Might make your local choices more attractive in comparison.)
https://www.captechu.edu
But also look at UMBC-sorry can’t find EE SAT https://www.csee.umbc.edu/undergraduate/computer-science-bs/
But says students should have 1200 SAT with 600 quantitative for chem eng.
https://cbee.umbc.edu/academics/admissions/
I know of a few test optional schools that offer a 3+2 program. Susquehanna and Drew come to mind.
https://www.drew.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/launch/majors-and-minors/combined-degree-programs/#engineering
https://www.susqu.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/engineering-32-programs
Rowan would be a good option and hopefully he can get past the distance from home to consider it seriously. FWIW my S went to college nearby (it happened to be the best fit school with the best merit scholarship – we almost did not look at it because of the location). H, S and I sat down and discussed the situation before he sent the deposit in. We agreed to treat him like he was hours, not minutes, away and would not expect him home other than school breaks. H and I (and grandparents) also agreed that we would not “pop by while we are in the neighborhood” and S agreed not to use home as a crutch – no coming home for dinner, laundry etc. It all worked out really well (over time we did make a few mutually agreed upon exceptions now and then but not many) and he had a full and happy campus life.
That said, I’d also suggest looking into Manhattan College. RIT, Clarkson and perhaps Stevens.
@happy1 Clarkson is just not his fit. It’s too far and not in area he likes. We had Stevens on list but he really doesn’t make the SAT cut. Manhattan College is a no because of religious afficiation. Wanted him to consider but answer was no. RIT was 1st school we looked at but he feels its in the middle of no where. This is our 1st adventure in college search with kids. Feeling overwhelmed and behind the ball. Was expecting SAT higher because he does very well academically in honors/ap classes but we will see.
I go with the above suggestions. It’s not your son’s test scores that are limiting the options. It’s his major choice. Engineering has become highly selective because so many applicants for not enough seats
OP, some schools he says “no” today , he may realize are pretty good options come spring. Having some safeties like Capitol ( had rolling admissions IIRC), would be good idea even if he is unenthusiastic today.
Are costs a concern? If not, WPI and Bucknell are both test optional. The whole list of test optional schools is below.
What about TCNJ and NJIT?
Possibly University of Rhode Island, University of Maine, or University of New Hampshire, especially if your son can improve his SAT to ~1300. However, If finances are a concern, the three NJ schools with engineering other than Rutgers - Rowan, TCNJ, NJIT - are your best bets.
Actually, the University of Maine would probably be similar in costs to the NJ schools due to their Flagship Match Scholarship. Of course, if Clarkson and RIT are out based on distance/location, the University of Maine is likely to be out, too.
what about drexel. He is still within the 25/75 of SAT and would be able to do Co-op
Does your son have any ideas for match/likely schools? He appears to be nixing, for various reasons, many of the reasonable possibilities. Did you and he check out York College of Pennsylvania, which I suggested in one of your other threads? Only 2 1/4 hours from Rowan, in a small city, ABET accredited Electrical Engineering, reasonable cost.
@2019boston. Has he tried the ACT? My older kid’s SAT results were not consistent with her academic record. She tried the ACT and did much better. It is faster-paced but somewhat more straightforward. The Science section is mostly reading comprehension of more scientific tests rather than content mastery. Have him take a timed practice test and compare the results. Good luck!
p.s. I attended college in NJ less than a half hour drive away from home. Almost never saw my parents on campus. It can be done.
@momaedefamilia he is taking SAT end of Aug then ACT mid-Sept. Being tutored once a week also. Unfortunately is tutor is going away for 12 days before the test. Makes me nervous but fingers crossed
@sdl0625 Drexel is his 1st choice but with his scores, I don’t think he will get the money needed to not be in massive debt. He wants to revisit UDel. , TCNJ was ok. RIT he liked but feels not much around. RPI loved but needs scores way up. We have really been working on Rowan but being 10 mins from it he doesn’t want it to feel like hs.
Hopefully he will change his mind??? Here’s my few cents:
- YOU pay for college, so if you’re able to give him more than one choice that you can afford then fine but YOU make the final decision
- Electrical engineering is great choice of Major where jobs will be available
- You say you live near Rowan… it’s one of the top ranked and still rising undergraduate engineering schools on the country whose ECE grads average close to 70k right out of school which is as good if not better than Rutgers, Stevens, Lafayette etc
- Rowan and TCNJ are a BARGAIN compared to many other high ranking schools
- Tell him he’s going Rowan if he gets in—- you will limit your debt and be very thankful down the road
These young people grow up and mature so much between now and springime. No need to win any arguments today. So much like the weather or the seasons…Try to keep calm and let him have his opinions. But he does have to ultimately attend where parents can pay…
At Rowan, would he live on campus, or commute from home? Seems like the experience would be different between the two, if “he doesn’t want it to feel like hs.” Looks like about 80% of frosh live in the campus dorms, but most upper level students live elsewhere.
@ucbalumnus. Live on campus is a requirement by us