DS(21) is currently doing a gap year with AmeriCorps. He is a FL resident with a Bright Futures Medallion award (75% in-state tuition) and was planning to use it at our local state CC while living at home but would like to explore options in and out-of-state. Major is undecided but fields of interest include Environmental Science, Geology, Geography and Emergency Management. He’s on the spectrum so school was challenging – he finished with a with a mix of regulars and honors classes. He took the SAT once, scoring a 1410.
In state, he is still considering our local state college for his AA, but since he’s gotten a taste of independence thus year, living away is now a new goal. He likes mountains/outdoors. He’d love to be close to family in the mid-Atlantic or New England but would consider all areas. A smaller school is probably ideal. Financially, our EFC last year was $35k+ but we’d like to keep it significantly lower as we have tuition fees for his sibling’s private HS and one parent is enrolled in a self-funded MBA program over the next 2 years. We were hoping that his SAT could help get some merit $$ if he went OOS to get it down close to our in-state costs.
On the list in Florida: local CC, Florida International (hates heat but they double the Americorps stipend), maybe JU? OOS: maybe Western Carolina? Any suggestions on other schools to consider?
What was his unweighted GPA? I know you said school was a challenge and you said he took honors and regular classes, so no AP? Any idea where he placed in his HS class - top 25%, mid-50%? What was his highest math class? Did he take Bio/Chem/Physics? How many years of foreign language? Merit will be unlikely just based on his SAT score so just trying to get a feel for what the rest of his application looks like.
Merit seemed to have been based on GPA/test scores, but with TO, I think GPA is more important. I think even if he has close to a 4.0 UGPA it will be hard to come in under $35,000.
Sorry- I meant to include that. Weighted - 3.38, Unweighted - 3.26. High school doesn’t rank.
Highest Math- Algebra 2, Geometry
Sciences- Physical Science, Bio, Chemistry, Marine Science
3 years of honors IT classes
2 years of Spanish, 1 year of Latin
His goal is to graduate without debt and is not looking for a large or competitive atmosphere. He wants supportive, outdoorsy with chances to learn outside the classroom because that’s where he shines. Likely, staying in FL with Bright Futures will be the best route but he wants to explore other options just in case.
Sorry- I meant to include that. Weighted - 3.38, Unweighted - 3.26. High school doesn’t rank.
Highest Math- Algebra 2, Geometry
Sciences- Physical Science, Bio, Chemistry, Marine Science
3 years of honors computer classes
2 years of Spanish, 1 year of Latin
His goal is to graduate without debt and is not looking for a large or competitive atmosphere. He wants supportive, outdoorsy with chances to learn outside the classroom because that’s where he shines. Likely, staying in FL with Bright Futures will be the best route but he wants to explore other options just in case.
I’m not sure what the merit situation is like but maybe have him take a look at SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry. My D has a few friends who attend/attended and it is a great option for the right kind of students. Sounds like it might interest him. https://www.esf.edu/
Read about Juniata. It is the type of environment you’re looking for, not in the mountains, but in rolling hills with lots of woods. Affordability will be the issue.
Definitely check out St Lawrence in upstate NY. Very much oriented to the outdoors (they even have an Adirondack semester option living in a Yurt), a very cooperative atmosphere and a great environmental program. 2400 students, very tight Alumni network. They are generous with merit, so it is possible he could get to $35k if he really impressed them or your other tuition bills reduced your EFC. Your Florida location might help as well.
Love UNC Asheville as well but hard to get into from OOS and costs would probably exceed $35k.
Western Carolina is in a beautiful place and has lots of outdoor opportunities but may feel too isolated, especially for an out of state student. Appalachian State might be better. It’s worth looking at both. App State is a “better” school, but also more expensive. Of course, the best school is the school that’s best for him.
Based on his SATs, I think he could expect aid at Western and probably/maybe at App State (although his high SATs might be undermined by his lower GPA).
Warren Wilson seems like everything you describe. Check it out. I think it might be a good fit. It is within your budget too. (One of those everyone gets a scholarship LACs). Warren Wilson, is definitely quirky and a little bit hippie. If he is enjoying AmeriCorps he might really like the work crews at Warren Wilson. Great Environmental programs there too.
You might also look at Roanoke College.
I saw App State listed as having good support for ASD kids, but to be honest I don’t know anything more about that. It’s a pretty big (not huge) school with a football team that everybody loves to cheer for. It is very outdoorsy for sure.
It might be totally outside of your comfort zone, but I live close to Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR and he sounds like exactly the kind of student who excels there! It’s a beautiful campus, safe, and students have strong connections to outdoor activities.
@cristinm13 I’ll second Ekhard. His GPA is below average, but still in the mid 50%, and his SAT is in the top 25%. With Bright Futures, it should be easily affordable for a budget of $35K.
Check out Western Carolina’s NC Promise program. I did the cost calculator for an OOS student, living on campus, with a meal plan and the cost came to $10,089.
As others have said, Appalachian State is also a very outdoorsy place. Not sure what their max merit awards are or how generous they are. Their OOS tuition runs $22K+
He might get good merit and support at tiny Maryville College (Between Knoxville, Tennessee and the Great Smokey Mountains). Offers programs in Environmental Science and Sustainability Studies with opportunities for experiential learning in nearby outdoor areas.