<p>My son is a happy college freshman this year, but one of his friends, now a high school senior, just received the news that he did not get into our state university due to both low GPA and test scores. It seems that he not apply to any other colleges.</p>
<p>I'm hoping for some advice that I can pass along to him about schools in the midwest, large or small, to which he can still apply at this late date.</p>
<p>He is interested in Theater and has some awards in State Speech Competition and Destination Imagination (State and World levels). His SAT is 1440, and his GPA is 3.25.</p>
<p>His profile is good enough to get him in somewhere, but there might be no chance of decent financial aid this late in the game. Would he consider taking a gap year? If he is serious about theater, he may be able to find a job with a community theater organization that would give him some more production credits while keeping him busy for the next few months.</p>
<p>*His profile is good enough to get him in somewhere, but there might be no chance of decent financial aid this late in the game. *</p>
<p>*His SAT is 1440, and his GPA is 3.25.</p>
<p>*</p>
<p>What is his Math + Critical Reading SAT? If his total is 1440, then his M+CR may be sub 1000. </p>
<p>What is his budget? If his parents can’t pay much then he really won’t have many options because the schools with good aid usually require better stats. Unfortunately, his stats won’t inspire schools to be generous to him.</p>
<p>He may need to start at a CC and then transfer later.</p>
<p>However, if money is not a concern, then there are probably some schools that will accept him. How much will his parents pay?</p>
<p>Viterbo University in Wisconsin
Northern Michigan University
Aquinas College in Michigan</p>
<p>As HappyMom said, financial aid may be difficult to obtain, however, that doesn’t mean he can’t try. If he applies online I believe some of the schools will waive the application fee.</p>
<p>He can be admitted to the University of Kansas automatically if he has earned at least a 2.5 GPA in the college-prep curriculum defined by the Kansas Board of Regents, or if he ranks in the top one-third of his high school class. The deadline is April 1. He can also be a guaranteed admit at Ole Miss.</p>
<p>Is this kid an Iowa resident like you? If so, his Regent Admissions Index for admission to the state universities is easy to calculate. Even if his RAI is not high enough to guarantee admission, his application should still be reviewed on an individual basis. He should talk with his guidance counselor about this. Back in the last century it was easier to get into UNI than ISU or U of I. His counselor will know which of these universities would be more likely to admit him. He also should investigate whether admission for the summer term, or for second semester would be an option.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all the responses. The family has very little money, so that will rule out quite a few options, but I will give them these suggestions and hope they follow up all opportunities.<br>
Sat CR was 480, but the Math was a respectable 570, so maybe talking to the admissions rep at the state school (U of IA) might help, also mentioning his success at Speech Comp & DI. Very good point, thanks.
I know they are considering community college, and there are good ones nearby. Kirkwood CC I understand has a theater program, as happymom says.
Off to do a little research on these… I’ll let you all know how it works out. Thanks again.</p>
<p>*The family has very little money, so that will rule out quite a few options, but I will give them these suggestions and hope they follow up all opportunities. </p>
<p>Sat CR was 480, but the Math was a respectable 570, so maybe talking to the admissions rep at the state school (U of IA) might help, also mentioning his success at Speech Comp & DI. Very good point, thanks.
*</p>
<p>The very little money situation will rule out nearly every option…perhaps even instate options where he must live on campus and can’t commute. </p>
<p>Does the state of Iowa give much aid in addition to fed aid? If not, then even if he gets full Pell and a student loan (total of about 11k), that won’t be enough for a residential school.</p>
<p>Iowa U</p>
<p>In-state tuition and fees: $7,417
Room and board: $8,331<br>
Books and supplies: $1,090 </p>
<p>Regular costs…about…$17,000</p>
<p>If the state doesn’t give additional aid, then commuting to a state school or CC will be his best option.</p>
<p>Given that he’s in Iowa, I’m surprised that you report scores for the SAT rather than for the ACT. Did he absolutely bomb the ACT? The ACT is essentially a souped-up version of the ITED exam which almost every high school in Iowa uses, so he’s likely to be more familiar with the format.</p>
<p>It may seem a bit late in the game, but it may be worth it to have him checked out for dyslexia-type processing issues. Kids like that often have huge difficulties with standardized exams.</p>
<p>With a 1440 total, that would mean 390 on the Writing section. Is English not the first language? If not, that explains a lot. the 1050 CR + M is actually quite respectable and would qualify this student for most state colleges.</p>
<p>I don’t know if they offer a theater major but UW-Platteville does offer reduced tuition to students from Iowa (Illinois too) thru its’ Tristate Initative.</p>
<p>If you check out the Aquinas College website there is a cost calculator available. I know I was surprised at how reasonable the cost could be. I think your son’s friend would receive an automatic $12,000 with his stats.</p>
<p>Good luck francie. I hope he finds something that is workable for his family.</p>
<p>Good suggestion DunninLA! I didn’t think of that! If English isn’t the first language, he should take the TOEFL or another English proficiency exam which would help the colleges evaluate his records more appropriately.</p>
<p>I am a student at The University of Iowa and from my knowledge the university expects another record incoming class and stated that applications are accepted until April 1st.</p>
<p>I don’t think his Writing score hurt him because I don’t think UI uses the Writing much for admission… Iowa doesn’t even require the Writing to be taken for the ACT…so, it’s really not considered. </p>
<p>Test Scores Middle 50% of First-Year Students </p>
<p>Sat CR was 480, but the Math was a respectable 570</p>
<p>Actually, both are low for the school. </p>
<p>His math is low for the school…it’s about the bottom 30%. That may have been ok if his CR wasn’t also around the same level. Those at the bottom tend to have hooks…such as being athletes or something like that. </p>
<p>Other Iowa criteria for admission…</p>
<p>Very important admission factors:
Class Rank
Rigor of secondary school record
Standardized Test Scores
Academic GPA</p>
<p>Considered:
Character/Personal Qualities
Recommendations
State Residency
Talent/Ability…(here is where being an athlete weighs heavily…lol)</p>
<p>He did not take the ACT. And yes, English is his first language. The Guidence Counselor is going to talk to UI Admissions with a strong recommendation to see if they might reconsider. The community college/transfer route does sound like a good way to go.</p>