This discussion was created from comments split from: Help may need to transfer-need school suggestions/chances.
With his stats, he should stay away from engineering. With a 26 ACT, he will have difficulty even getting accepted to a decent engineering program. I would encourage computer science or nursing instead. As for schools, Montclair is a match, Rowan for computer science might be a stretch , suggest Stockton and Ramapo also.
@njdadjets In most colleges, computer science is considered “engineering”, and is usually the most popular, and thus the most competitive, program.
OP - be sure none of the schools on your list have rolling admission. If they do, waiting for first semester grades may be a poor strategy. Apply as early as possible to any school with rolling admission and then have the GC send them grades when available.
Will your son take the ACT again? Get the math subscore as high as possible.
Last note, for schools that admit by major/college of eng, naviance isn’t always accurate as engineering tends to be tougher admission than the overall university, and naviance doesn’t break that out. That said, I think this is a realistic list.
CS and nursing are often more competitive for admission than engineering majors. However, engineering (and CS) majors may not be more competitive than other majors at less selective colleges, because they may be seen as “too hard” by many prospective students and therefore are not filled to capacity.
However, a student with a 3.0 HS GPA probably needs to up his game in terms of academic commitment (including self motivation and time management) in order to do well in an engineering major.
@momofsenior1 I assumed we’d be better off waiting until after first quarter grades were released (assuming they are strong that is). All the schools on his list are either rolling or offer EA. He will definitely take the ACT again. He’s working through a test prep book now. Also, we used the asee.org site to create the school list. It shows average GPA and test scores for engineering admits.
@ucbalumnus we are considering ADHD meds, and he has been working with an executive function coach for several months now. He is truly doing everything he can to be successful in college.
First off. Love Ace Mentoring!Use them as they should have some connections to colleges.
Adhd I know about and tough for a kid to do study for Act by himself (I assume). If you can afford it a tutor can be extremely helpful. Sometimes a few things need to be pointed out that just are not obvious.
Know kids that went from 27 to 34 but were very good at math. His math /science scores are more important then the reading /English scores for engineering. For my son math was a strength so he tried to up that since it would be easier and trust me, a tutor (not many sessions), showed him something and like his English scores took off.
If going to “try” meds do it now while he is not in school. It can take some time to adjust but some will see a difference almost right away like after a few days.
Make sure he is excersising. It helps. Biofeedback helps also FYI.
Check out Iowa State University. Great school for engineering. Helped a family with similar everything get in there. Go online and the regent application is for Iowa and Iowa State and I think one other. See where your son comes in at on their automatic point system. It’s a really good school, lots of spirit, kids love going there, decent merit depending on your score as above. Not badly priced OOS and one of the largest engineering fairs out there. Kids come out with job offers.
Might if mentioned this before and the coach might be using some of the techniques but check this book out http://www.calnewport.com/books/straight-a-student/
Very helpful for time management, procrastination (my son) etc. It’s the “only” book like this that my son didn’t give back to me and had it in college and yes, it looks like he actually read it also… Lol ??.
For rolling admission/EA schools, the earlier you apply the better as it gets much more competitive as time marches along. Have the GC note the undiagnosed ADHD issue for freshman year, and that they will send 1st quarter grades as soon as they are available. Again, I would not wait to submit for RA/EA schools.
Seems like figuring out the finances is your priority task, especially since your other thread http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/transfer-students/2148535-help-may-need-to-transfer-need-school-suggestions-chances.html mentions that your daughter may have to transfer to a lower cost college due to a decrease in financial aid at Rochester.
Any college which requires a competitive merit scholarship to be affordable should be moved to the reach category.
@ucbalumnus Yup, we have to focus on our daughter right now, find her a place to land this fall and then refocus on our son. He’s got at least three affordable options, and I think he’s got a good shot at admission at them. But that’s definitely all on the back burner now. Sigh.
Have you considered neuropsych testing for your child? Can help pinpoint areas for improvement. Will certainly help with performance in college?
@sgopal2 Yes, he had extensive neuropsych eval sophomore year in hs, which is how he was originally diagnosed with ADHD and EF weaknesses. We are hoping the coaching will help.
DS heading into Senior year. DIagnosed ADHD in sophomore year, is unmedicated. Hoping GC addresses this in her letter. Low freshman grades bringing down GPA (was placed into all honors classes, also school implemented mandatory iPad program with very few restrictions and it was wild west at the school his first year) upward trend except for C in Honors French this year
GPA: 3.0 mix of Advanced and Honors, all core, no fluff, no APs, currently taking Precalc at local CC and will take Calc there in the fall (hoping this helps with test scores and GPA–currently has an A in Precalc)
ACT: 26 (first attempt, no studying; hoping to improve for fall sitting, working through an ACT test prep book)
ECs: not many: 1 year cross country, 1 year track, 2 years hockey, 1 year debate, 2 yrs ACE Mentor program, part time job - 20 hours/week - since freshman year, 2 years pre-college engineering programs (UConn & Stevens)
LOR: one from Honors Engineering and Honors Physics teacher will be very good (already used for the Stevens program), one from English teacher should be good as well
Essay: should also be strong; great writer, A/A+ on all writing assignments
Major: Civil Engineering, possibly Construction Management at schools that offer it
Based on GC’s input and Naviance:
Safeties: CCSU, UHartford, UMaine, UMass Dartmouth, Wentworth, Widener
Match: Catholic U, Manhattan, UNH, Quinnipiac, Rowan
Reach: Clarkson, Stevens (a hail mary app, may come off)
May add: Hofstra (match?)
Not sure on finances at this point. Need to run NPCs. D currently at meets full need school; hoping for decent FA as it’s doubtful S will get any merit. Will likely do RD apps to include first quarter grades. Is this a good strategy?
Any input on list/programs, what he can do to improve his chances would be much appreciated. Want to make sure we are not totally off base anywhere. Thank you.