Brainstorming for S2 - hs junior

College Search & Selection
1

<p>OUr second son is starting the search process - so far he has about a 3.7ish gpa at a very competitive private school. He is currently taking a couple APs and doing very well so his GPA will probably go up. He has done some service - plans on more this yr and applying for some leadership positions, played 2 sports fresh and soph year. The major wildcard are his test scores. He wasn't feeling well PSAT day soph yr, so we are hoping those scores are NOT an indication of his testing ability as they left much to be desired! He is currently being tutored for SAT and will also take the ACT. We are thinking he will end up in the 1200ish range (CR & M) but there is also the chance it will be lower.</p>

<p>The issue is - he would love to attend the same school as his older sibling (Vanderbilt) but that may not be in the cards. As of now, he compares every school we suggest to Vandy. He is also very anxious to visit schools soon and we are trying to come up with a viable list. So far, we will visit Wake (test optional), Elon, and Tulane. Can anyone suggest some other schools that are similar to these. He is flexible about location (just not California) and would very much like sports and a decent college town.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Great start, d…I would have suggested the exact 3 you mentioned as a comparison to Vandy in terms of feel, student body etc…</p>

<p>I’ll think about it and get back to you…but the ones you picked certainly fit the bill…</p>

3

<p>Thanks! Seems like those may the best options. Also will have to research some safety schools.</p>

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<p>How about Clemson or SMU?</p>

5

<p>Clemson is an option - we know a handful of kids there who love it. Their only complaint is that its a bit isolated. Don’t know much about SMU - will read about it. Thanks.</p>

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<p>Clemson is definitely isolated but there’s a lot to do here and Atlanta/Charlotte is only 2 hours away so it’s not as isolated as a school like Virginia Tech.</p>

<p>I lived in Boston for 17 years of my life so I’m a city person but I love it here. Let me know if you have any questions about Clemson!</p>

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<p>My son is at Wake and was accepted at Elon. Let me know if you have any questions.</p>

<p>Another alternative might be the College of Charleston. Or Loyola of Maryland. Maybe Furman. Or American U.</p>

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<p>How about:</p>

<p>Univ. of Miami (FL)
Pitt
Villanova</p>

<p>For college towns:</p>

<p>Indiana (Bloomington)
Penn State (University Park)
Colorado (Boulder)
Florida (Gainesville)</p>

9

<p>I’d consider the following schools to all be related in campus life and ambience, in something of the same way that Fords, Mercurys and Lincolns are all siblings but with differing trim levels. These schools are Southern, w/ beautiful campuses, high Q of L, large Greek presence, surprisingly competitive athletics for their size, etc.:</p>

<p>Vandy (with median low 1400s CR+M SATs)
Wake (low 1300s)
Furman (high 1200s)
Elon (low 1200s)</p>

10

<p>We are thinking he will end up in the 1200ish range (CR & M) but there is also the chance it will be lower.</p>

<p>Not really high enough for Vandy and may not be high enough for Tulane either. </p>

<p>What does your younger son like about Vandy? </p>

<p>What does he want for a college experience? </p>

<p>What is his likely major?</p>

<p>Should we assume that money is no object?</p>

11

<p>Yep. Its all about the SAT/ACT score. The hard truth about college admissions. GPA and class rank and breadth and difficulty of high school curriculum and EC’s also count…but the SAT score is really where the rubber meets the road, sadly. Going SAt optional is problematic…Wake then requires an in person interview. </p>

<p>To some extent, you (and your s2) can obsess about a school(s) until blue in the face. In the end, you make your best judgement and so long as its not bizarre and totally out of character for your kid, unless he is a contrarian, you simply take the plunge and pick your school (among those who do accept him) and show up/move in/ commence his studies. There is no magic pill. There is no perfect school. There are MANY schools where he would be happy, and thrive. What I mean is you get it down to a bunch of “good fit” schools, academically, socially, geographically, etc. and go from there.</p>

<p>While Vandy is a great school, its not the only game in town and not the only place where he would be happy. </p>

<p>You are far better off finding a school that gives you a bunch of money, where he can rise to the top of the class, and have a strong education, good job opportunities.</p>

<p>Who is that? I dunno. We have to see SAT scores first. GPA is good…off to a great start. There are great schools in the Northeast, Midwest, South, Northwest. </p>

<p>Get him a copy of Petersens Directory or Barron’s, the most comprehensive and least subjective and let him peruse it …at his leisure this year…going state by state, and make a list of 25 schools to start examing. Encourage him to think outside the box, not to be too concerned with rankings and prestige and branding…there are many outstanding colleges off the beaten path or off the radar screen of many high school kids. To consider all sorts of concepts, from urban to bucolic rural areas, from southern to northeastern etc. From Division IA to Division III. </p>

<p>Example some kids love WashU Saint Louis,but don’t have the uber stats to get in…and then forget all about the lovely school at the other end of Forest Park…>Saint Louis University. Catch my drift?</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

12

<p>Thank you all for the responses and suggestions - I will definately look into them.</p>

<p>Mom2college-
I realize Vandy probably won’t be a viable option unless his tests scores end up closer to 1400. If that happens I think he would decide to apply ED and hope for the best. If not, Tulane may be a reach school and sounds like Elon a possible good fit. In the end, Wake may be the best fit with the test-optional route. We saw Wake with our older son and loved it. </p>

<p>What he loves about Vandy? The size, proximity to a great city, sports, beautiful campus, great academics, etc. It hits all the buttons of what he wants in a “college experience”. Although he may not test as well as his brother, he is a very strong student with great work ethic and really feels he would fit it. He hasn’t made any concrete decisions about a major but will probably lean towards the liberal arts - possibly English. Interestingly, he has expressed an interest in teaching as well. And yes, money thankfully isn’t an issue.</p>

<p>Thanks again.</p>

13

<p>Take a reputable SAT prep course BEFORE he takes the SAT. There is a method to the madness and can add as much as 100 points to a score. Sometimes anxiety plays a role.</p>

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<p>Ghostbuster - he has already started with a great tutor for SAT prep and says he already feels more confident! The tutor had him re-do some of the problems he got wrong and he ended up getting most correct.</p>

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<p>You might think about ACT as well.</p>