<p>^ I’m not so sure I agree about reclassifying Michigan as a match, even if it’s a very selective private school. Their reported 25th/75th percentile GPAs are 3.7-4.0 unweighted (28% of entering class have a 4.0 unweighted GPA). They rely more on ACT than SAT, so that helps: OP’s son is right at their 75th percentile ACT. But bottom quartile GPA is a complication regardless of the school—especially since Michigan says they weigh grades more heavily than standardized test scores. Also note they count only the grades from 10th and 11th academic courses in calculating GPA, so if there’s been an continued upward trajectory it should help. Also note that for engineering they’ll look separately at the ACT math subscore (or SAT math, whichever is higher). I’d say there’s a fair chance of admission, but it’s still a reach.</p>
<p>Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota also have very good engineering programs and are probably in the match range, though I’m not sure about Illinois’ OOS policy. Strictly by the numbers, Purdue may be a safety even though it’s a very good engineering school, but again, I don’t know whether they have higher standards for OOS applicants.</p>