<p>My son is a senior. He is a very good student, though not the hardest worker. His SAT scores were 800 verbal, 720 writing and 590 math. Yes, I know that looks strange, math's just not his thing. He received National Merit scholar commended, and has a pretty high average--around 90's. He has taken all AP courses and done very well on NYS regents (100 english, 98 history, etc.) Question is this-very few activities and extracurriculars, plays in a rock band, writes a zine, very sober and straight edge and mature (though has long hair and dresses like it's 1973). I guess that wasn't really a question now, was it? Do you think he has a shot at some tough schools - ie.-NYU, Columbia, Pratt, and CUNY honors college? Would love some advice-you are all sharp as tacks on here!
Thanks!</p>
<p>hmmmm, I am not sure, but am bumping this!!!</p>
<p>what does he want to study?</p>
<p>and does he want to stay in NYC?</p>
<p>what about Boston?</p>
<p>what are his parameters for what he wants in a school</p>
<p>and yes he has shots!! his anomoly is the test score, what are his math grades?</p>
<p>i think that the math section is the easiest to improve.
the best advice i have for you is to buy the barron's math workbook and have your son work through the entire book. that alone should raise his math score
if he raises his math score he should have shots * as citygirlsmom said)</p>
<p>Columbia requires 2 SAT IIs in addition to the SAT. Unless he's applying to Tisch or to the music programs at Steinhardt, NYU also requires 2 SAT IIs. So unless he's planning to take those, he has no shot at Columbia or NYU.</p>
<p>Pratt, I believe, requires a portfolio; is he an artist?</p>
<p>I know the math score stands out like a sore thumb! He wants to stay in NYC, can't get him to even consider out of town. In school he struggled in math. He is now retaking Math B and will take the regents in June. He did fail it one semester, but is trying hard to redeem himself! He doesn't want to retake the SAT, thinks he did just fine (did I say he was a bit thickheaded and lazy; mom said lovingly?) He has interest in Tisch, and Pratt-each of which require a writing portfolio, which he's compiling. He's looking for a small, tolerant atmosphere. His main interest is writing, however he also loves history, government and art.</p>
<p>Sorry, around 90s is not high GPA, is he in public school or private? What percentile? kids with 4.0 and over 2200 were turned down by most ivies, especially Columbia (lowest admittance rate ever, below 10%). NYU is tough too.</p>
<p>I said around 90's, I'm not honestly sure what it is. He finished Junior year with a 97 average for the year. He's on the same course this year, but if you average in a math failure in sophmore year, it lowers his overall average. His school doesn't rank so can't answer that either! He goes to a public high school in NYC, which is very arts oriented.</p>
<p>I think in your son's case it really depends on how he "plays up" his uniqueness. If he could improve his math SAT to over 600 and has a good portfolio, he may have a good shot at NYU. Columbia is a far reach for anyone. At the same time, I think he should consider some schools outside of NYC. Tufts in Boston may be a possiblity for him.</p>
<p>just be sure and have a balanced list of schools., all of which he should be happy to attend</p>
<p>there are schools beyond the ivies, and son should really look at those, because for even the most perfect student its look of the draw</p>