College Suggestions (northeast) for student with higher SAT scores than grades?

Parents Forum
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<p>I posted this question in the "College Search" forum, but I am also posting it in the Parents forum. </p>

<p>I am seeking advice about where my son, a high school junior, might consider applying, and information about what schools might be a "reach," a target, and more of a "safety." </p>

<p>We live in NYC and he is interested in going to school in New England, New York State (but not NYC itself), or Pennsylvania, at a small or medium sized school. He doesn't know what he would study --he likes a lot of things, including writing, environmental science and art. He's kind of a hippie who marches to his own drummer.</p>

<p>He had an 85 average in 9th grade, an 89 average in 10th grade, and seems to have a 94 average this year in 11th grade. He's taking AP Calculus this year. He just got his SAT scores and they were higher than I expected: 800 reading, 770 writing and 750 math.</p>

<p>He's involved with certain activitives and has various interests but nothing like being editor of the school paper or captain of the baseball team.</p>

<p>What I can't figure out is, should he be applying to schools like Wesleyan, Amherst and Middlebury, or are his grades not high enough? The schools and the guidebooks often give you the average or range of SAT scores for a school, but not the grades. </p>

<p>What schools do people suggest we look at? Any and all advice would be appreciated.</p>

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<p>Seems to me he could apply to the schools you mention, and also might want to look at Vassar, Bennington, maybe Goucher. Oberlin would be a top possibility if he is willing to go west (lots of New Yorkers), or MacAlaster, Carleton, Grinnell. He sounds bright and “authentic” to me. I don’t think the editor/sports captain thing is that important for a student like this. His grades are going up, which is a good thing, and his SAT’s are pretty darn great, and he has natural interests. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Your S sounds quite a bit like my DS, and he’s headed to U Rochester.</p>