<p>Would any of you mind sharing your opinions as to which schools would be considered reach, target, and safety in regards to my son? I am new to all of this so any and all thoughts would be greatly appreciated. :)</p>
<p>His SAT scores are above 2200 with an 800 in math. He's finished with calculus and will probably work on number theory at the Ross program this summer. He's taken a few AP courses but DIDN'T take any AP tests. (long story... but he did get A's in them). He's not interested in engineering but very much so in math. Not sure what he could do with it but could become a professor. Other interests are physics, psychology, and philosophy.</p>
<p>He's not into sports but is an excellent cellist. Started his own string quartet to play at weddings and for volunteer opportunities. He started a recycling program at his homeschool center as well as a volunteer club with the older kids. He tutors 4 kids in math and has also created a successful SAT workshop to help his fellow homeschoolers. Other ECs include boy scouts (not Eagle Scout), Debate team at public school (captain of), and 1st chair cellist at our area orchestra.</p>
<p>You might also want to know that we live in an area where our schools aren't that great. He's half asian (does that make him a minority?) and he's extremely outgoing and well liked.</p>
<p>We've had a barrage of letters and email from all the schools except HYPSM. We'd like to focus on schools that are great in their math and science department but have no idea what our chances would be- hence, we don't know which schools and how many to apply to. How do I know that a certain college would be his safety school? What do you suggest?</p>
<p>First, a better place to post this would be the Parents Forum. Plenty great advice there. </p>
<p>Kids searching for schools are advised to have safeties, matches and reaches. Obviously HYPS are in the reach category (for everyone). With your son’s stats, his state university or state college will be safeties. So explore those options right away because rule number one is 'love your safety."</p>
<p>It’s hard to advise you beyond this not knowing several key issues
– is FA needed?
– does he want a big or small school, urban/suburban/country?
– which part of the US?</p>
<p>This kid sounds like a perfect match for the University of Chicago, which academically ranks right up there with HYPS. Others would be Harvey Mudd in Calif[ part of the Claremont College consortium], Reed possibly, Carleton .
Did he take the PSAT by chance?
I would PM Tokenadult, as he has a brilliant homeschooler applying to colleges this year.</p>
<p>My son says he wouldn’t want a very small school (wants to check out a variety of clubs and meet lots of people) nor a very large school (he doesn’t want to be just a number).</p>
<p>And he wouldn’t mind any part of the US as long as it isn’t too extremely hot.</p>
<p>Needing significant FA complicates the scenario somewhat. Do check out these threads on the Parents Forum – and then eventually migrate over there with this question. Parents Forum is where it’s at, frankly Welcome aboard. </p>
<p>Being asian isn’t a minority for most colleges. Needing aid means applying to the schools that either meet need or give large merit scholarships. Do you know how much you can pay. Do you know if you’ll qualify for aid at the school that give aid. Most schools can’t give much aid.</p>
<p>repost your whole post on the Parents Forum- where there are many experienced veterans of the college application process just waiting to help newbies!
and did he take the PSAT? If so, were his scores over the threshold for NMF’s for your state?
If so, then he would qualify for many full ride/ full tuition / half tuition scholarships at colleges looking to pull in NMF. scroll to the last page on this thread for the most up to date info.</p>
<p>Safety schools are schools that you’re certain of acceptance and certain that you have all costs covered thru assured grants, assured scholarships, small fed loans, and/or family funds.</p>
<p>Btw. Don’t assume kids are numbers at big univs. Many have honors programs that give u that smaller school feel. </p>
<p>ok so 209 means he did not make the NMF cut off score. But there are lots of other factors that may make him eligible for scholarship$$. </p>
<p>Make SURE he takes the SAT again, maybe at the end of this year or no later than Oct of next year- his Verbal score will probably go up , and if he can cross the 2300+ threshold he will be a more viable candidate to many schools. Is he taking any SAT Subject tests? If he took AP classes there are equivalent subject tests that he can take- such as US History if he took APUSH, English Language, Math II if he has taken AP calc, or a [ non listening] foreign language subject test if he is relatively fluent in a foreign language. Many top schools require[ they say recommend but you should read that as “required”] 2-3 SAT subject tests or the ACT test, which covers more subject areas than the SAT alone.</p>
<p>Just a comment on the math interest: I went to an engineering school where all of my roomies were engrg majors except one–the math major that went to work for NSA after graduation. She couldn’t tell us what she did in her classified job but we had lots of fun guessing. So there is more than teaching available. Good luck to you and your son.</p>
<p>I agree with midwstmom - lots you can do with a math degree. Computer science theory is very math intensive. Quants are still needed on Wall Street. Many financial analysts majored in math.</p>
Welcome aboard. </p>