<p>He hasn't taken his SATs yet. He'll be a junior this year. I'd like to figure out what major would be best, which will help me decide which colleges to visit. The more he self-educates, the more difficult it is for him to decide.</p>
<p>GPA is exactly 4.0 with honors classes. He will be taking 2 APs this year. Bright, not super smart. He will be homeschooled this year (online and college classes) because he wants to be in control of his education. He is definitely a non-conformist.</p>
<p>He loves anything to do with technology. Knows many computer programming languages; he's worked at a local website design company for 2 years. He is a creative, artistic kid who is currently working on an independent project to create a network for those involved in the field of climate change (big idea, but I share so you get an idea of his personality). He is a big thinker, visionary and has trouble sleeping at night because his mind can't stop thinking. He has journals (paper and electronic) of his ideas throughout the years. He plays guitar, loves discussing politics and religion (he's an atheist).</p>
<p>How would you direct him? He has no idea what his major should be, though the need to use his ideas technologically is important. He loves design, whether it's the design of a "green" house or a commercial product.</p>
<p>We live outside of Philly, so I'd like to make visits in September to schools around us, so he has an idea of big vs. small, city vs. suburban etc.</p>
<p>So your son is more of a techy type person. So MIT, Stanford, Princeton, Cal Tech would be the excellent schools, but there reaches for almost everybody.</p>
<p>A rising junior in high school really should not have any idea at this point what he wants to major in, in college. This kid sounds very terrific; interested, interesting, and motivated. He has plenty of time to decide. Most colleges don’t even ask for a major until the end of sophomore year, so he has 4 years left, at least, before he needs to settle. Even then, many college students change their minds after they have declared a major. Let him be a kid for a little while longer. Don’t push college decisions at this point. He doesn’t really need to begin the college process with any real action until after winter break this coming year. If he is interested in talking about it, fine. But my suggestion would be to let it come from him. The more you push it at this moment, the more you might be pushing him away. He might just care about other stuff right now.</p>
<p>Seems like a double major or a major with two minors would be a good idea. Mathematics and economics are both good choices to lay the foundations of his study (depending on whether he is more interested in computers/natural sciences or in the social sciences). </p>
<p>Also, look for a college with an “intellectual” atmosphere. Small colleges tend to fit better in this criteria.</p>
<p>there are some fields one needs to know early like music, architecture, etc (though one can still get masters degrees in them if one decides later, but thats a longer haul) If one is considering engineering, this is a good time to think about it, but one doesnt really need to know which field of engineering, unless you are thinking of a school that has some but not all. </p>
<p>If he is creative, AND tech oriented, there are many options, from engineering at the more progressive places, to comp sci, to design and arch. Lehigh has an integrated product design (engineering, art and business) program he might like. there are lots of schools focusing on green engineering. If he gets good enough scores, etc MIT is a possibility. Other good schools with creative tech and also comp sci include RPI and Carnegie Mellon. </p>
<p>A lot will depend on geography, school size, finances, and where he can get in. Think about those things now, start visiting colleges and see what turns him on. By the time its mid senior year though he probably wont have picked a major for sure, he will probably have narrowed it down enough to know which schools dont have enough of the things that interest him.</p>
<p>Techy but non - conformist - look at liberal arts schools with engineering - Swarthmore (probably too selective) Lafayette. Maybe also Lehigh. Many small lib arts schools have 3+2 programs - 3 years on the Lib Arts campus and then automatic transfer to an engineering school. Franklin and Marshall, for ex. </p>
<p>Make sure you have him take the PSAT test in October because it is qualifying test for the National Merit scholarship program. If he was in regular HS the guidance office would be handling it, but with homeschooling it would be easy to miss the deadline. I also think he should take the October SAT so that the study time does double duty. The Oct SAT is also one of the few in the year when you can by the answers, so that will help his study for a re-take, if one is needed. Once you get those SAT scores, it becomes much easier to start to ID schools that are a good admissions match.</p>
<p>My advice is to look carefully at the coursework required for a major in CS at any school you want to visit. See how rigid or flexible the requirements are. Also check out distribution requirements. Schools that allow you to design your own major fit dreamers pretty well.</p>
<p>Your son sounds amazing! What makes you say he isn’t “super smart”? Does he get too distracted by his ideas? Does he not perform well in a structured classroom? Everything you described screamed super IQ to me. If your basis of not super smart is due to the typical distraction find in high IQ individuals then finding the correct college environment would be more important to me than a major.</p>
<p>I urge you to visit Swarthmore – It is not a CS/tech school, but I suggest it as a good place for your son to check out the “vibe” </p>
<p>I think at this stage it is just as important for him to find a comfortable environment of peers whose minds are always “on.”</p>
<p>I also 2nd Lehigh & Lafayette as it would be an easy day trip for you.</p>
<p>Drexel is right in your backyard. I’d suggest that as a foundation for comparing LACs to Tech schools as well as the city environment.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t look at more than a handful of schools before taking the PSAT/SAT. Once you visit a few of varying size/location AND have the SAT scores your search can be more focused.</p>
<p>btw our DD was a lot like that - she DOES have super high IQ, but ADHD, dreamer, creative, etc. Likes to make things, but practical and wants to change the world. She decided on RPI (for architecture) where she will attend in fall 2011 (after a gap year)</p>
<p>I second the idea of Swarthmore. Swarthmore is very strong in the sciences, has an engineering program. More importantly it is filled with kids who are incredibly excited about learning, who are looking to change the world. It is a place where intillectual discussions take place over dinner each night, but where the kids know how to have fun as well. Don’t worry about a major. He sounds like the kind of student who may end up with a double major or even designing his own. Just make sure he is at a place where this sort of independance and creativity will be nurtured.</p>
<p>I thought I was behind in doing the initial research for college. Many of his friends have already done college visits. A friend’s daughter was already admitted to Stanford and she hasn’t yet entered her senior year (softball scholarship). </p>
<p>Longhaul, I should clarify that, although he may be really bright, he doesn’t take extremely difficult courses or win national competitions like some other kids do. He wants to learn for learning’s sake, rather than to be top of the class with all AP classes. He likes spending time going on MIT’s Open courseware or Khan Academy etc. But, that isn’t transcript worthy. He’s a neat kid, but much of it goes unnoticed by people. </p>
<p>With homeschooling, he is hoping to take advantage of the new flexibility to work on projects he wouldn’t otherwise have time to do.</p>
<p>You all have given me some great advice. The list of colleges is a wonderful start! I had no idea there were colleges that let you design your own major. Sounds right up his alley. He will definitely be taking his PSATs in October. Thanks for that reminder, though. It is a bit overwhelming trying to figure this all out as a first time homeschooler.</p>
<p>I have taken notes of all of your wonderful insights. You have no idea how much it means. </p>
<p>Not sure how to quote on this board, but nursekay said:</p>
<p>“I second the idea of Swarthmore. Swarthmore is very strong in the sciences, has an engineering program. More importantly it is filled with kids who are incredibly excited about learning, who are looking to change the world. It is a place where intillectual discussions take place over dinner each night, but where the kids know how to have fun as well. Don’t worry about a major. He sounds like the kind of student who may end up with a double major or even designing his own. Just make sure he is at a place where this sort of independance and creativity will be nurtured.”</p>
<p>You know my son! In fact, many of you in your responses seem to know my son well. I’m gonna like hanging out here!</p>
<p>What I have done with both my kids is start a spreadsheet with the attributes of the schools in which they are interested … so school name, location, grad students or not, average SATs, average GPA, etc, … include possible majors and possible ECs. Before starting my kids and I made a couple cutoffs … any geographic preference? (for both mine Northeast or Mid-Atlantic was OK) … what level of school are you shooting for? (one only wanted top tier schools). And then create a superset of schools that keeps all the possible majors and options open … at first these lists were really long … as my kids thought about these issues, visited schools, talked to friends, and matured a lot of things become clearer and the list shrunk A LOT (for example, decided no urban schools, or no longer interested in computer science). The lists also changed … some majors got dropped … some new ones got added … some that got dropped got added back again. Your child’s thoughts will evolve and change … that is a good thing!</p>
<p>For both our kids we bought them a big fat college guide and on their own they went through the guides checking all the schools in the relevant states to see if they should be considered … they also did similar searches on sites like CC to see what schools popped up from those sources also.</p>
<p>There are about 3000 colleges in the US … it is natural that it takes awhile to pair these schools down to a reasonable list … and your timing is WAY ahead of either my kids … good luck and have fun!</p>
<p>Bear in mind that the typical college student changes majors more than once. Unless your son knows exactly what he wants to pursue in life (which he doesn’t, and I have doubts about most 17-year-olds who think they do), choosing a college that leaves lots of good options available (like Swarthmore) is a great way to go.</p>
<p>UPDATE: We just visited Swarthmore yesterday. DS LOVED the vibe and the kids. He said they are just like him. He actually ended up staying long after the tour and info session to see The Yes Men give a lecture. </p>
<p>He loved how student driven the school was. He loved the sense of community. He loved the intellectual nature of the place.</p>
<p>So, any more ideas for him? I would love it if there were some technology offerings, but he doesn’t seem to care. The vibe of Swarthmore was perfect.</p>
<p>I would say UChicago, it has a similar attitude towards academics as Swarthmore. They are in very different environments, however. I have a feeling your son would enjoy writing Chicago’s essay prompts.</p>
<p>Reasonable drive from Philly for visits, varying degree of difficulty (Swarthmore is very difficult to get into by the way, so I put Princeton and Penn on there too), varying culture, good to get a feel of different environments. Johns Hopkins is particularly attractive because you don’t have to apply to the engineering school per se, you just declare you major in engineering. On the other hand, at a place like Penn, you have to apply to engineering or arts and science. There is less flexibility. </p>
<p>Haverford
Princeton
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Lehigh
Bucknell
RPI</p>
<p>I suggest visiting Ursinus (near King of Prussia) just for vibe. It is another LAC. No engineering; does have strong sciences. A step down compared to Swat, easier to gain admission. The faculty really loves a kid like yours (one who learns for learning’s sake). The student body will be a bit of a contrast from Swat; to some it is a very large contrast; to others it is just a more balanced group. I think the key for you now (without test scores) is for your son to get a feel of his comfort environment.</p>
<p>Our area is filled with schools. Visiting and finding the different “vibes” in the varying degree of admit rates is easier for us then most parts of the country, so take advantage!</p>
<p>Most schools in the area have open guest lectures, concerts, drama, sports events. Try to take in a few of these during the year. It really goes a long way in zeroing in on a “vibe.” </p>
<p>Folks on CC are very good with finding “like” schools in other regions for you once you can list a handful of environments your son prefers.</p>