High School Junior starting the college search

<p>Hello all,
I haven't been on this site for years. I think it's time I start again. Ok here goes- I have a son who has an 87 GPA, and got an1990 on the PSAT. We are waiting to take the SAT in 11 days. "Everyone" feels that he will do well on the SAT, as the PSAT is supposedly indicative of the scores. My son does well when he tries- in other words 90's on tests & hw is "optional" - hence the 87 GPA. He's in honors classes, and next year slated for a few AP"s. Ideally, my son wants a large "rah-rah" school, and wants to major in business. We are looking into :Indiana U (Kelly School), Penn State, U of Florida - Gainsville, Tulane (reach),U of Delaware, Binghamton, Maryland, Ohio, U of Buffalo. Any business?/or solid B+ schools that I'm not thinking about? We're on the East Coast & will send him as far as the mid west. He's an accomplished saxophone player- all county blah,blah,blah. However, he does not want to be a music teacher nor "Kenny G"!'What other reach schools are there? Does a "lazy" kid step it up in college? I know, hard to answer.
Thanks! Looking forward to great responses :)</p>

<p>Are you going to be able to afford the OOS rates? Penn State will probably be full pay. I would also add Miami U (that’s the one in OH). Maybe U of Dayton.</p>

<p>Thanks for your teply. What’s OOS? Out of state? If so, yes. What about u if Georgia? Pitt? If my son scores high on the SAT- does that put him in a different school category?</p>

<p>Yes, OOS is out of state. I’m not as familiar with the business programs at GA or Pitt. Both are probably fine. I think the 87 GPA is what will probably hold him back more than the SAT. And some lazy kids DO step up in college when they can concentrate on studying where they feel their interest lies. However, that HW problem will still need to be fixed… ;)</p>

<p>Apply liberally. We looked carefully at each universities catalogue online to see if student s are likely be a direct-admit into their major, or if they have to qualify for the major later ~ which can be very competitive, and might be risky depending on what other majors are fallbacks. Indiana is not too difficult to get into, but direct-admit into the business program is much more competitive. Some U’s won’t offer a direct-admit option. Maybe that’s not a worry
I will say, having a college freshman son (hw optional), knowing he is already accepted into his major is a huge relief. You said Ohio, is that Ohio U? They have a great band which would be lots of fun.</p>

<p>UMichigan ($$$) or Wisconsin maybe? Daughter who is happy at UConn also got into Indiana U, and Penn State, fyi did not get into UFlorida (oos acceptance low- was anyway)</p>

<p>Is the 87 a weighted or unweighted GPA?</p>

<p>Pitt - I believe would be good, but the GPA may not yield merit.</p>

<p>Bama, will use weighted for merit aid if it is on the transcript. A 3.5 GPA and solid standardized test scores are required for guaranteed scholarships. I believe most high schools a 3.5 = 90. Would meet the rah-rah and they have rolling admissions. [Out-of-State</a> Scholarships - Undergraduate Scholarships - The University of Alabama](<a href=“http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/out_of_state.html]Out-of-State”>http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/out_of_state.html)</p>

<p>Susquehanna probably won’t meet his “rah-rah” needs, but great school for both B students and Business.</p>

<p>I also have a son with homework optional mind set. My son is not lazy, he’ll do the work as long as it is not just busy work. I actually think he’ll do better in college since HW is not part of the grade at most schools.</p>

<p>U Conn, Northeastern, Syracuse, Rutgers?</p>

<p>Thanks for the replies. I hope this goes out to all that responded to me. I’m typing with one finger in my phone & hoping for the best. Met with GC , and she said IU, Pitt, Penn State, Delaware,Wisconsin, u Conn, Ohio State, U Mass are places to consider. This of course is a guesstimate. Rumor has it that the SAT’ grades will be out on 3/28 at 6 am. Then I will have a clue as to what he’s really made of! For those of you that asked ( sorry limited on this iPhone ), his unweighted GPA is an 87. His weighted is a 92. Hopefully, the schools we are looking at will focus on weighted.</p>