<p>im pretty much already out of the competition at top tier LACs. Also I am not sure I would have gotten a B in AP CHEM (prolly a C)</p>
<p>You might want to look at Coe College in Iowa. If you can get to 27, you might get some merit aid as well.</p>
<p>When college admissions offices review applications, they also review the profile of your high school. They will see a profile of the SAT/ACT ranges, list of AP classes offered, athletic info, etc. They will question why a college bound high school student chose not to take AP classes when they were offered at the school. Hopefully, your guidance counselor discussed the college application process (including choosing a strong high school curriculum) with each and every incoming junior student. If you look at the admissions criteria on most every private LAC’s website, you will note that the academic rigor of the high school curriculum is usually one of the top 3 things that they look for in an applicant. In other words–if there are 2 applicants for one spot–you with a 3.25GPA and someone else with a 3.25GPA but with 4-5 AP’s, who do you think they are going to admit? This is what I was trying to get across to you earlier. In our local public high school, every kid that wants to go on to college takes at least 2-3 AP classes. The top 10-15%, usually take 7-9 AP classes.</p>
<p>I would highly recommend looking at St. Ambrose in Davenport, IA. They take kids with lower ACTs and have wonderful results with them.
Also – Albion, Alma, Hope in Michigan. Maybe Gustavus Adolphus in Minnesota. Drake in DesMoines, Butler in Indianapolis.<br>
I remember reading about Juniata in CTCL and it sounded like what you are looking for as well.</p>
<p>nysmile - honestly when I read these boards I think the east coast schools offer many more AP classes than in the majority of Midwest schools. The east coast schools have much closer ties to the College Board company than in the midwest. Our highly ranked by USNWR district only offers 4 or 5 AP classes. You need to take this in consideration when talking to kids from the Midwest which has historically been an ACT stronghold. He noted if I remember in his stats that he had 3 honors classes. In our district’s profile honors classes are treated equally to the AP classes that are offered and considered “the most rigorous classes” and our district sends almost the entire class on to 2 or 4 year colleges and as one of the top ACT averages in the state. The lack of the OPs “AP” schedule may only be a consideration for the one or two east coast schools he is thinking about and may have less bearing on his chances in the midwest. Also there is a world of academic maturity difference between the majority of 15 year old boys and 20 year old boys so wondering if he’s got the academic stamina to go to med school to compare how a 15 year boys will function as a 20 year old college student is sometimes like comparing apples and oranges. The best doc in our area will openly admit he was a B-C student in high school. As a mother of three I’m all about the boys as exasperating as they are from age 14-20. If the OP keeps or raises his GPA abit he’s in the B territory and gets to 25 on his ACT it puts him in 80th percentile range which is dandy for the majority of colleges.</p>
<p>john, just a heads up-Carolyn, who said she sent you a PM, is one of
CC’s most knowledgable posters. She knows more about colleges and admission than most posters here ever will, including me[ she started her own college counselling business with the encouragement of many grateful CC posters], so my strong advise is to follow her recommendations. She knows her stuff!</p>
<p>The problem isn’t the lack of AP classes offered in his school district. The problem is that there were AP classes offered and he chose not to take them because they were harder. And he is still justifying that decision. It goes along with the way pre-med and pre-law advisors often tell students to take easier classes and worry about their GPA, not the quality of their education. It just bugs me. And John, I’m glad to hear that you want to challenge yourself in college, but the fact that you didn’t in high school and you still seem to be avoiding work (asking everyone repeatedly to give you names of LAC when people have already told you about some search engines to use for more personalized results) does not look good. Can you see why some of the posters, myself included, are a bit skeptical?</p>
<p>If AP’s are offered (which he states in his post) and a student chooses not to take them because of the work involved in the class or they don’t want to get a lower grade, it will be obvious to admissions offices. If the high school doesn’t offer them, then it’s understandable that students will not take them. The high school profile seen by admissions will reveal the lack of AP’s and take that into consideration.<br>
I’ll bow out now, and wish him well in his search.</p>
<p>You might look at Earlham, in Indiana. Their admissions stats aren’t all that high but academics there are pretty rigorous. They are known for high quality bio sciences. And they do give merit aid if they want you.</p>
<p>Investigate University of Minnesota - Morris</p>
<p>I had a friend who did not challenge himself at all in high school. He went to a small, easy-to-get into LAC and challenged himself a lot. Won awards in biology and chemistry. Graduated with nearly a 4.0 GPA and easily got into the med school of his choice. Now a successful surgeon. The OP may simply be, academically, a late bloomer. He’s not going to get into Carlleton but there are dozens of good (but relatively expensive) liberal arts schools that can prepare him for med school.</p>
<p>^ thank you</p>
<p>Yes, John, many students don’t hit their stride until college. The point some of us here are trying to make, though, is that in order to be successful in your intended field, you WILL have to buckle down & work your rear off. Without the background those who have already challenged themselves bring with them to college … you will have some ground to make up. It’s not that you can’t do it. It’s just that you have some growing up to do in order to do it. Hey, if you are going to ask parents … you’ll get the answers parents are apt to give! :)</p>
<p>Ursinus (Collegeville PA)
Dickinson (near Harrisburg PA)
Marist College (in NY)
Ithaca College (NY)
These are schools that kids in my s’s high school attended with good - but not outstanding records.</p>
<p>Hampden-Sydney (all male)
Goucher</p>
<p>A close family member of mine went to Hampden-Sydney. He probably never took an AP course in high school, and his SATs were not stellar. He’s a surgeon now, and a very successful one at that.</p>
<p>To the OP, although you chose not to take APs in high school, you do need to really prove yourself in college. I hope you can, and don’t let anyone discourage you.</p>
<p>the other thing is my school only offers 3 AP classes AP Chem, USH, and Gov. If AP Bio was offered I would have taken it (got an A in honors bio).</p>
<p>Coe College-My dd received the most generous merit scholarship from this school. Not sure where you live but they are actively seeking eastern students to broaden their profile.</p>
<p>Ursinus College-Known for their strong science program. Good merit scholarships.</p>
<p>Juniata College-Strong science program; good merit money.</p>
<p>College of Wooster-Known to take serious students to the next level. Very well known to graduate programs due to their individual research senior projects. 70% acceptance rate.</p>
<p>Lake Forest College</p>
<p>Wells College-Cost lower than most, brand new science center, lots of personal attention, small student body and good opportunites for research. Recently went coed so 75% female and actively seeking males.</p>
<p>Read Lauren Popes book, The Colleges that Change Lives, it will change your college search for the better. Good luck with your search and remember there is a college for everyone.</p>
<p>Do you think I have a shot at Cornell College in Mt Vernon</p>
<p>Yes, to Cornell College. They have a one coarse at a time program you know. They sent my daughter an email mid March to tell her there was still time to apply…so I think the one coarse at a time is a hard sell.</p>
<p>wut do you mean by that and do you think cornell would be a safety or a match</p>