I am looking for advice on colleges to look at for my son who is currently a junior. He had a rocky start in HS but is doing fine now; however I think the best GPA he can pull off is 2.8 or maybe 2.9. His current semester GPA is 3.5.
ACT 31, zero ECs, budget about $30,000 , full pay, home state of Oregon. He isn’t sure what he wants to study but is leaning towards engineering, computer science etc.
All suggestions welcome!
He could be an automatic-admission applicant at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, a highly regarded STEM university in Rapid City. SDSM&T is a tuition bargain also, as this year’s total COA for non-residents is approximately $21,000. There is a fair number of Pacific Northwesterners at SDSM&T. The rigor and quality of the engineering departments at “Mines” is hard to beat. Smaller and more intimate than Oregon State University. Programs are more robust and have a stronger reputation with employers than the offerings at Oregon Tech.
You’re in a tough position because many of the state schools require a minimum 3.0 GPA for application.
Oregon Tech has some consideration for lower GPAs.
Look at some schools through the WUE (Western Undergrad Exchange) were he would get reduced OOS tution from the schools in the exchange. NAU (Northern Arizona University) comes to mind. Not ranked as high as ASU, but their Engineering and CS programs are still very good.
Also some of the Cal States are in the program.
If his gpa is between 2.5 and 2.99 he qualifies for admission with support at the University of Wyoming. Unfortunately he needs a minimum of a 3.0 to begin to qualify for the Western University Exchange rate. Non WUE OOS estimated cost of attendance including room and board is around $29,000.00.
Thanks for vthe ideas_ keep them coming. Obviously the GPA and ACT are a mismatch which makes it so difficult. If they matched I would know where to look.
Holistic schools might look at the upward trend but he has no ECs. And without merit, they would probably be too expensive. Dilemma.
There are many schools where he can be admitted, but they will not be schools where the average ACT is close to 31. If that is important to him, then he may want to consider a year of community college. If he can do well there, he will have a better chance of transferring to a school more aligned with his test scores and current grades.
Check out New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. They are part of the western exchange as well.
I was thinking the same, Much2learn. And use the time to develop some interests so he has some EC’s to claim. That’s the other weakness to his application.
Is the 2.8 including ALL classes, including PE and electives? Is that the weighted GPA ?/
(has he been tested for ADHD?)
What are his hobbies and interests?
He hasn’t been tested for adhd but has obviously had some issues. He is working with someone now and doing so much better.
Thus far, his hobbies are video games and reading but he realizes he needs another outlet and will be looking for a job or volunteer position this summer.
There are really no “easy” engineering programs. The ABET accrediting team mandates specific standards for the traditional engineering disciplines.
NAU and Wyoming are at 7000 feet with fabulous out door recreation programs but the college towns are smaller. If he is not an outdoorsy type they may not work. My son is a junior and who wants to study engineering. One of his main volunteer activities are Habitat for Humanity builds. The people are incredibly nice and welcoming and he has met a lot of engineers and engineering students whose brains he picks. If your son is on the less social side they are a nice group to be around since they are so friendly.
I say this with love and understanding, because I’ve been there: I do not think this kid should go off to a four year residential college right after high school unless he gets considerably better grades his senior year. He’s a bright kid, bright enough that he can get the grades he’s getting now without doing any work. If he tries that at college, he will flunk out, especially if he is in an engineering or computer science program. Better for him to go to community college, work, join the military, or do something else to mature before he wastes your money and his time at college.
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He hasn’t been tested for adhd but has obviously had some issues.
hobbies are video games and reading
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PLEASE have him tested ASAP.
@cardinalfang makes a good point, but some of this can be relieved IF he gets treatment (if ADHD).
Thank you for your concern- I really think that we have that under control. In order to protect his privacy I dont want to be any more specific and I would appreciate it if you can help with the college options.
Despite the hobbies I listed, he is a very social person and gets along well with people.
Take a look at Montana State. It has a nice engineering program and he meets the admissions standards. Their merit aid is test score based, so he may get lucky. Apply early in the app season.
Agree about Montana State – with that ACT he might get a scholarship. (My son with a similar profile did.) MSU has good engineering, and Bozeman is a fun little college town.
Similar profile? What schools did he get admitted to?