<p>This is my first(second) post here and I am hoping to get some advice for a parent. Little background, I only a HS diploma and never went through the university selection, recruitment and application process. My son (who has pretty much been on his own when it comes to school the last 4 years) is now considering schools but things have changed the last 6 weeks, let me tell you how. My son had reconciled himself that he would need to attend our State U due to my limited ability to pay. He had dreamed of going to a great Eng school but I didnt know or understand the process, or just how talented he was. 6 weeks ago that all changed when he began to receive letters from (MIT, Harvard, Northwestern, Rose-Hulman, Columbia (fu), Cornell ect…ect) </p>
<p>As a result of the school contacts I took another look at the full need financial programs and realized that I had wrongly limited him due to sticker shock from the posted cost. Now Im in recovery mode helping him follow his dreams but with both eyes open so I have a few questions but first please meet T </p>
<p>T
17 Year old African American Male
Great Kid
3.85 GPA
680M/640V SAT
Subject Test (TBD)</p>
<p>Lettered in Wrestling, Track, Band and Academics, he participates in Academic Olympics that are on TV, his school is doing well. In addition he holds down a job 12-18 hrs a week where his boss (private business owner) says hes the best kid hes ever had work for him.
Junior year classes 3.9
AP Econ (Test 5)
AP (Sci) (Test 5)
Spanish 4 Hon
English Hon
Chem B Hon
Physical Sci
Bio B Hon
Senior Year 3.9 (so far)
AP- Bio
AP- Chem
AP- English
College Math 5
Psychology</p>
<p>My questions.</p>
<li>Are these contact letters a sign of real interest or just boilerplate mailings?</li>
<li>How did they know to contact him, he didnt submit his SATs yet?</li>
<li>Does he stand a real chance with the type of schools I listed above, is it a realistic expectation or should he adjust his expectations to a group of schools with a higher acceptance rate?</li>
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<p>You are going to get a lot of encouragement for your son, DTDAD. He sounds wonderful. </p>
<p>My gut reaction is why not apply to many of the schools you've listed. I know the cost of applying can add up, so I'm sure that's one of your reasons for trying to limit the list. Logistically, it's pretty easy to apply to multiple schools because of the Common Application.</p>
<p>So back to the question of the cost of applying, and this is somewhat personal, so you don't have to answer publicly, but many schools (both the student's high school, and the college receiving the app) offer to pay or waive the application fee if you qualify. In our school district, students who qualify for "free or reduced lunch" also get their SAT and college app fee's paid. </p>
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<li><p>Chances? I'll let others guide you on which universities to apply to for engineering (not my area!) You must be so very proud of your son.</p></li>
<li><p>and 2. Did your son take the PSAT or SAT and check the box to release scores to colleges? He'll be on everybody's mailing list if he did, and yes, it might all be boilerplate marketing, but he has probably exceeded a minimum test score to generate that kind of mail!</p></li>
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<p>Thanks for the kind words about my son. Proud does not describe my feelings heck I get a lil emotional he's such a good kid, school is his worst attribute, he's my best friend. I feel a little like a dork right now as I posted this here, in selection and again in parents at the suggestion of some folks. I normally hate when people cross post and here I am doing it myself. I think at the least we are going to let him apply to 4-5 of the schools off "the list" and then 2 or 3 others that intrest him. There is on he has to apply with because they have been courting him since the summer of his sophmore year and he has developed a relationship with them and would feel bad if didn't at least show they were being considered. </p>
<p>Regarding your question, I don't know if he checked the box, he must have since the box of mail is getting pretty full. </p>
<p>Im going to limit my responses to the Parents section so I don't muddy up the boards. My appolgies again for the cross posting, it was a newbie mistake.</p>