I feel like we have visited every school in the Northeast and she hasn’t found “the one”. We are looking for a smaller school, with a nerdy vibe. She likes anything biology and animal related, but not pre-vet. So likely something having to do with animal biology and conservation with good undergrad research opps. A social skills program for Aspies would be a plus. She scored below a 30 on her ACT and below a 1300 on her SAT (she has test anxiety and blanks out.) Her GPA is 3.7.
She likes RIT and Northeastern, but they are large and the city vibe is tough for her.
She likes Bucknell and Lafayette but they are reaches and I am worried they are going to be mean girls b/c she is socially awkward and hispanic. Loves Cornell academics, but is worried about the suicides she read about. I think Vassar is the one. Any suggestions or input on any of the above?
We also saw:UConn, URI, Fairfield. Loyola, and St Joseph’s, for safety and target schools. What do we need to consider seriously. Money not a top concern. Thanks all!
Ohio Wesleyan, Juniata, and Connecticut College come to mind, although Conn College would be a slight reach.
Also the College of the Atlantic if she’s willing to go extremely small.
I think visiting schools is wonderful. However, you are mentioning a few that are beyond reaches. Cornell and Northeastern are beyond a reach. Bucknell, Lafayette, and Vassar are unlikely but worth applying.
I’m thinking schools like Wooster and Allegheny might fit. Bard as well.
I’m sure you’ve seen this. Good luck
If Bucknell and Lafayette are reaches, Vassar is reachier, and Cornell more so. Also, they are both intensely academic- is that her?
ConnCollege is pretty sporty- is that her?
Have you looked at Colby Sawyer, Bard or Ithaca College?
Ohio Wesleyan is a good suggestion- they have a great zoology program!
UConn, while huge, has animal science, and has an ASD support program. UMass Amherst, also huge, has a lovely honors campus (which she might get into), has animal science, and has an excellent disability support program.
I’m sending you a private message. Look for the green circle appearing on the F blue circle in the upper right hand side of your screen.
Bard was the first place that jumped to mind. Also Dickinson.
What about Edinboro in PA?
Does it have to be the Northeast? Seems like she would find her people at a women’s college like Hollins or Agnes Scott. They are both very supportive and have animals and science and nerds and hispanic women too. They have horses at Hollins. Lots of STEM at Agnes Scott.
Have you looked at Drexel? I believe they have some specific programs for kids on the spectrum.
My daughter with a 33ACT and 3.9 UWGPA got good merit from UMASS but not honors.
You haven’t given complete information, of course, but without knowing rigor, awards, etc, it sounds to me like Vassar, Bucknell, Lafayette, Northeastern are quite unlikely. Have you checked Naviance? That will be better than internet strangers at giving odds of admission.
It does seem as if you’re targeting schools that are unlikely admits with her stats. She could apply test-optional at many schools but a 3.7 GPA isn’t going to get her into schools like Cornell, Vassar, and Northeastern. URM status will help but even if that could get her into a highly-competitive school, it doesn’t sound as if it would be helpful for her to be surrounded by peers with stronger academic preparation than hers, in addition to the challenges involved with her ASD/ADHD.
SUNY ESF would be worth a look. It’s a small school (1700 undergrads) and very much oriented toward her areas of interest (take a look at this major, for example https://www.esf.edu/efb/wildlife/ ), but it’s adjacent to Syracuse University, and ESF students have access to SU’s Disability Services in addition to many other resources (libraries, dining halls, and course offerings beyond what ESF offers). Her stats are very close to the median for admitted students.
I think that admission to honors at UMass is highly dependent upon one’s major - otherwise they’d have an honors college that was primarily Comp Sci students!
I’m not sure what major my daughter applied with because it’s different all over, but it was for actuarial science.
Yes, Northeast for sure and 3-5 hours from home. Drexel does have a good program but the environment is city which she would like to avoid.
I saw Ithaca with my oldest daughter and it was a nice school, but we looked at it for Pre-PT. Would have to research he science and research opps there.
She is definitely a cerebral kid. Her current high school doesn’t offer accommodations of any sort including the most basic like extended time for tests. This has impacted her GPA. Otherwise she is an extremely bright kid who would really enjoy being around kids that love learning and are naturally curious. She has a great resume of activities and community service awards. Unfortunately for us, Ohio is too far, but I will look at the others for sure.
Have you considered Skidmore? My daughter just graduated Cornell and it is an extremely competitive school-she was animal science and everyone’s end game was vet school - which means extreme competition for grades, research opportunities, extracurriculars, etc. - if your daughter does not do well under stress this will not be a good choice.
Thanks so much for the insight, no we are not looking for a competitive environment.
How about UVM? In a nice small city, medium sized, great recreational opportunities and a laid back vibe. They also have a wildlife biology major that might be of interest.
UVM also has a great academic support program and LLC’s that she might be interested in.