Help me figure out how to guide my son...

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hey, I want to be friends with your son, lol. We’re very much the same - my interests lie in other areas, but I also have trouble sleeping at night because my mind is constantly running. My mom used to worry about me, lol.</p>

<p>He’s only a junior and doesn’t have to settle now. Since he’s interested in technology and computer programming, computer science or computer engineering sound like obvious majors (computer science actually sounds like it’ll fit him better - more theoretical, and he sounds like he likes theoretical stuff, although engineering will satisfy his desire to design). He might also be interested in civil engineering or environmental engineering.</p>

<p>He seems like a techie but also a kid who will thrive in a liberal arts environment, given his high-minded thinking and love for discussion. Also, if he’s a nonconformist, he might appreciate an open curriculum. I immediately thought of Harvey Mudd, Brown, and Reed College. Sounds like you already checked out Swarthmore; may want to visit Haverford, too. If he does decide on engineering, Olin College of Engineering may be good, too, but I don’t think it’s close enough for a visit.</p>

<p>If you don’t mind roadtripping out to NYC, he may want to visit Columbia. I’m a grad student here and the undergrad students seem to be driven and ambitious - a little less likely to have intellectual conversations over dinner, I think, but that doesn’t mean they can’t bust it with them best of them. And there is a decent school of engineering here.</p>

<p>I agree with the wisdom that most students change majors at leats once…but that doesn’t mean he can’t start thinking about it. Most of my serious major considerations were all in the same broad field, the social sciences (political science, then sociology, and finally psychology). Although he may not settle on anything exactly until the end of freshman or even sophomore year, I think most 17-year-olds know what majors they don’t want and what broad areas they do.</p>

<p>Swarthmore is my dream school for getting a professor position, lol. I’m earning my PhD and I would die to get the chance to teach at Swarthmore. I want to teach students like your son.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much everyone. It is wonderful to have your knowledge and support. </p>

<p>ClassicRocker Dad, thanks for the list. I have never considered Princeton, but the others always seem to show up as contenders. I do wonder about Bucknell, Lafayette and Lehigh. What are the main differences in these schools? Ds doesn’t want a preppy, greek scene. He likes that intellectual scene. </p>

<p>Longhaul, hi neighbor! We have already done a Ursinus visit. It is only 15 minutes away and ds considered taking courses there as a “special student”. He interviewed and went on a tour. Too much like high school, he said (he decided to get homeschooled this year to get away from that!). All he remembers from the tour is the guide talking about the party scene. Not what ds is into.</p>

<p>I agree about going to see lectures etc. Ds knew The Yes Men would be at Swarthmore and it really helped him get a feel for the kids and environment. He ended up staying on campus alone for about 5 hours, before and during the lecture. He talked with some kids, exchanged emails etc. We’ll be sure to see what else is on going on in the area. You’re right. We live in an area filled with great options.</p>

<p>Juillet, I think an open curriculum is certainly one that ds would appreciate (although it may worry me). Sounds like you have a good take on who my son is. We’ll be out in CA this spring, so we’ll be sure to visit Harvey Mudd while there. Brown is actually one that ds has been talking a lot about lately. We’ll be sure to wave hi if we end up visiting Columbia!</p>

<p>Thanks again all.</p>

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<p>Between Bucknell, Lafayette and Lehigh, I think he would probably only like Lafayette. Lehigh and Bucknell have strong party and/or sports cultures.</p>

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<p>“Also, if he’s a nonconformist, he might appreciate an open curriculum. I immediately thought of Harvey Mudd, Brown, and Reed College.”</p>

<p>In case it’s ambiguous, the non-conformist part is apt for Reed, but the open curriculum part is not; Reed’s curriculum is more structured than average.</p>

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<p>It also sounds like he’d also love Olin, especially since he likes to be in charge of his own education. I have one kid who graduated from Swarthmore, and one still at Olin. Both are extremely tough to get into, but both schools love the kind of student you describe.</p>

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<p>Lisa, it sounds like your son will find a lot to like at a lot of colleges. The key is to focus on a few salient characteristics – size, environment, ambience – then put together a balanced list of reach/match/safety. </p>

<p>You don’t mention finances. This is the #1 priority. Your family must determine whether you need or want need or merit based financial aid BEFORE your son starts making his list.</p>

<p>There are several small liberal arts schools that overlap academically with Swarthmore although each has its own specific personality. Each could offer your son support in a segment of his interest range, though each comes at it from a different direction. </p>

<p>Wesleyan, Reed and UChicago are often mentined as complements to Swarthmore. I would suggest he take a look at Williams, Amherst, Carleton, Grinnell, Middlebury, Pomona. </p>

<p>Among these I would rate Williams and Wesleyan highest in creative and arts emphasis.</p>

<p>I’m most familiar with Williams and think that it may appeal to your son in the areas of art and sustainable design especially in architectural studies. Excellent sciences, excellent arts and an insular supportive environment.</p>

<p>If art/design is a serious interest I’d suggest that your son submit a portfolio even if he doesn’t intend to major in art.</p>

<p>Some liberal arts colleges have distribution requirements, some are open curriculum, but *all *of the academically rigorous schools encourage experimentation across disciplines. Unless he goes into a specific professional program (like architecture or engineering) he’ll have no problem in tailoring his own course of study.</p>

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<p>Thank you all for the additional suggestions. Momrath, thank you for the detailed post. And, yes, H and I need to sit down and talk about money. I need to use that calculator app that I’ve seen mentioned. And I should figure out which schools are likely to hand out some merit aid. That will certainly be helpful! </p>

<p>I will be sure to check out the other schools mentioned - Lafayette, Olin, Williams, Wesleyan etc.</p>

<p>Thanks again. This is certainly overwhelming.</p>

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<p>OP, when you say his GPA is “exactly 4.0 with honors classes,” I assume you mean that’s his weighted GPA. Do you have his unweighted GPA and/or approximate class rank (top 10%, top 25%, etc)? It’s a little hard to gauge what schools he should be looking at without SAT or ACT scores, but unweighted GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and class rank would be a better predictor than weighted GPA because the weighting system and grade inflation vary so much across schools.</p>

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<p>Lisa</p>

<p>Since you checked out Ursinus and didn’t like it, I would venture to guess Bucknell won’t be appealing to him. The student review sites can be very helpful AFTER a student knows what they are not looking for in a school.</p>

<p>If you are going to CA, look at both Harvey Mudd and Pomona. Pomona doesn’t have the science Mudd does, but with a kid like your son would take advantage of the consortium. </p>

<p>DON’T FORGET SAT II. He should take these this year. </p>

<p>Many here also showed me the benefits of honors colleges – if you are concerned about finances, then be sure to include Alabama Honors Colleges, Pitt and Schreyers (Penn State) in your college search. Bama has guaranteed merit based upon GPA and SAT/ACT scores.</p>