<p>Hi! I'm asking this on behalf of my 16 year old African-American son who is a rising senior at a college preparatory, academically rigorous parochial school. We've visited several colleges already (I'd name them, but afraid of jinxing him) and I'd like some advice about liberal arts colleges that he might qualify for. I know he may not have the best grades, he's intelligent, wants to major in communications, and has a lot of potential. </p>
<p>Regular college prep classes
GPA: 79 (2.4)
SAT CR:500
SAT M:540
SAT Writing: 430 (He'll retake SAT in October 2010)
Work Experience: SYEP worked as a groundskeeper in a state park
Some of his extracurriculars:<br>
9th grade: finalist in a Dramatic Monologue competition
10th grade: Poetry Club/ Poets for Justice program at John Jay College
11th grade: Executive Board, Poetry Club; competed in Knicks Poetry Slam
Summer 2010: Creative Writing Institute
12th grade: He'll be in the Poetry Club again and possibly joining another club.
Will be taking a college course during his senior year.</p>
<p>Which colleges in the Northeast can people suggest? He has several in mind, but with so many schools out there, wanted to know if anyone had other suggestions. Not interested in community colleges; he wants a 4-year, residential college. </p>
<p>Please help! Thanks.</p>
<p>Signed,
An overanxious mother</p>
<p>Is money an issue?</p>
<p>We’re hoping for a school with a total cost of no more than $43,000/year. I am a single mom, and even though I make pretty good money and have savings, I don’t want him to graduate deeply in debt.</p>
<p>Almost full pay AA student, I think he’d have a shot at any school ranked below about 30 on the US News list of LACs.</p>
<p>Wow. Well, I can probably swing about $16K for each year, and I’m hoping that grants/work study/small loans can cover the rest. I’ll look up the U.S. News & World Report list, but did you have any colleges in mind?</p>
<p>Sorry, I misunderstood, I though you were saying you could pay $43K/yr.</p>
<p>At LACs, once you get below the top, the amount of aid given drops off shockingly. At many, the vast majority are full pay or close.</p>
<p>To pay 16K/yr and have your son not drown in loans may be tough. You would need schools that meet 100% of need for all (very few) or those that want your son enough to give generous aid. With his GPA and SAT scores, that may be hard.</p>
<p>Also, have you calculated how private colleges will view your need? Most people think they can pay far less than colleges believe they can.</p>
<p>Have you considered 2 years of community college and then Geneseo?</p>
<p>I have steered my son away from community colleges, mostly b/c I am a teacher and have seen students get into them by doing the bare minimum. I also want him to attend college away from home and I’m not familiar with the quality of community colleges.</p>
<p>I do believe that there are 4 year colleges for every student. If he doesn’t get into any 4 year colleges, then of course he’d go to a community college and transfer to a good SUNY.</p>
<p>However, I’m not ready to give up on him going to a 4 year college. Not looking for him to go to Harvard, just a good liberal arts college that could support him as he grows into the student that I know he can be. Thanks for your input!</p>
<p>And of course, if necessary, I’d have to come up with more than 16K per year!</p>
<p>First, there are 4 year colleges for every kid who can afford one, but frankly, many do better by going to a CC and ending up with a guaranteed transfer. By better, I mean they often graduate from better colleges. Where you graduate from is what matters.</p>
<p>Many parents also take a harder look at CCs when they have run the numbers and see what colleges expect. They usually will expect about a third of your income as they expect you have saved and will borrow. For my money I’d go two years at a CC rather than pay a lot for a second tier LAC.</p>
<p>Your son has a double whammy, low GPA and average/slightly below SATs. While being AA helps, it’s the top colleges that bend most for minorities and he’s not in range for those. One consideration is that he try the ACT. If one of the 2 was strong–GPA or scores, he’d have much more choice.</p>