<p>More like 59-60% but I agree that’s high. It’s freshman retention rate is 89%. My point lately, for B/B- students without rigor and some pattern of activities, is not to assume. After looking at those admit stats, see if you have the rest of the picture the particular college likes. The point of rigor isn’t that there’s a crown waiting for you. It’s that kids who will challenge themselves in hs are likely to taken on and manage college challenges.</p>
<p>“More like 59-60%” Is that addressed to me? I was quoting the stats from my kids’ suburban ps where most of the kids were majoring in tech subjects but it is considered a ‘good’ suburban school so the rigor is probably there for most kids. The reason I mentioned RIT is because it seemed to have very good support services and I think could be a match for the OP. The service I specifically mentioned (structured monitoring) does not require a student to go through disability documentation like thumper details. It is available to any kid who needs this support. It does, however, involve an extra fee and require the student to go to the meetings. When we were looking at engineering schools for my ADHD son, I sat down and spoke to the people who run it and was personally impressed. </p>
<p>Anyway, I’m not on payroll for this school so I’m not going to belabor the point. I think the other schools I’m familiar with would either be a reach or I’m not sure they have CS.</p>
<p>Not necessarily judging by my own observations of undergrad classmates who had high GPAs/low SATs. There was a much greater proportion of such kids coming to me or HS classmate friends on other elite/respectable college campuses for academic tutoring to stave off academic probation, suspension, or even dismissal. </p>
<p>It also doesn’t account for the experience I’ve heard from friends/relatives who actually worked in elite college admissions and stated that high GPA/low SAT could prompt questions about whether the given applicant went to an academically weak high school or worse, chose one of the weaker tracks/courses within said high school. If they find that those possibilities were applicable…especially the latter, the candidate was almost always rejected. </p>
<p>On the other hand, depending on the reputation of a candidate’s high school and rigor of curriculum undertaken, they have been cases where they’ve given low GPA/high SAT scorers the benefit of the doubt and admitted them.</p>
<p>I had an SAT in the 1900s and a B average, I was rejected from my state flagship. My friend with a 3.7 GPA and an SAT score in the 1700s was admitted to that same school.</p>
<p>Cobrat: high gpa/low scores does prompt that assumption. It can send an adcom straight to the transcript, to see how much rigor was involved (or not.) But, elites are unique in that they have such a pool of exceptional candidates. A 3.7 isn’t necessarily “there” to begin with. At an elite, we’re talking thousands of kids who got maybe one B in 3.5 years, plus rigor. </p>
<p>Lowish scores would suggest the kid is either incompletely educated or doesn’t have the competitive edge to have pushed to do better. </p>
<p>Low gpa usually doesn’t cut it either- if you’re from a less competitive hs, obviously you don’t have the hunger. If you’re from a better hs, you aren’t pushing to run with the top crowd. </p>
<p>But, that’s elites. Other tiers will look for other patterns of strengths.</p>
<p>Hi- thank you for all your suggestions. Yes, it is the score for all three. I guess I should have said “higher than expected SAT score”. I get that to some people it is not considered high. To me, it is better than I expected and I’m thrilled for him. And I do agree that he made himself look bad by not having a higher gpa. My son does go to a high school with a great reputation and rigorous curriculum, but does not take part in any honors courses. </p>
<p>It is what it is, and although I do think of him as not working to his potential, he is a great kid who makes really good social decisions so far. Slacker? That hurts, but could be true. I guess I’m blinded by my love for him. He does care about his grades, I will say that. But I guess not to the point to obsess over them or push himself just a little more. And then add in the adhd. Would I like him to have a 3.0-4.0? And take honors classes? Sure. But it didn’t happen. I honestly would’ve been thrilled with a 3.0 and those scores considering he played three varsity sports. </p>
<p>I do think a smaller school is the best place for him, and am hoping he takes off and finally kicks things into gear. Thanks again.<br>
Green</p>
<p>Green
The slacker comment is kinda mean, this is a tough crowd. I have 2 stories that may cheer you up.
First one is about my cousin-C student in HS, poor SATs, ADD, great kid, hard worker.
He went to Curry College in MA-great for kids with learning disabilities then got his MBA from BU. He is now a VP at State St, has a big house in South Natick. It was hard for him to get his foot in the door but he worked his way to the top.</p>
<p>Second story-my little brother-he was the only one of 7 who did not go to college. He went to a tech school instead. He works at a power company and makes more than the rest of us (even my brother that went to Harvard) AND he will get a pension when he retires-sigh.</p>
<p>I think if you loves what you do it shows in your work and you will succeed, regardless of where you go to school.</p>
<p>And my brother nearly flunked out of cc. Twice. My mother took your route, knew he was a good kid with good friends, had a suspicion life was too easy at home and that he was itching to grow. Sent him off to a smaller private college (now with quite a rep, but back then, just a college) and he took off like a wildfire. </p>
<p>We don’t know what sorts of colleges you had in mind, so we can’t comment on that. If you do want to throw out a few names, we may have some knowledge of them.</p>
<p>Yeah maybe that “slacker” comment was premature, and therefore a bit mean. Lots of people become successful without sterling academic records. From a distance “slacker” and “just not into academics” look similar. And of course slacker has at least two faces … one that is simply bored with mundane assignments, and another which just can’t engage with societal expectations (like completing assignments).</p>
<p>Speaking from personal experience, the problem with being a slacker is the common notion that one can perform at a high level without preparation. Four years sliding through high school can be overcome, but it’s a rough ride. (And please, spare me the “Well my cousin graduated HS with a 2.0 and STILL got a full ride to Swarthmore” stories.) </p>
<p>So to the OP, I apologize if I left the impression that your S is anything but a hardworking kid. There are many schools where an ambitious young man with decent stats can thrive.</p>
<p>The smaller state colleges, in almost every state, where stats are the main admissions factor, will admit your child. Try to find one that offers some supportive services for ADD students.</p>