Match LAC schools with good math/science rep

Parents Forum
1

<p>We just got the SAT (2nd time) and subject test scores back so that my son feels he has a better feel for where he fits in "score wise". ALthough he went up somewhat on his math and reading scores, he went way down on the essay which was not all that high to begin with--from an 8 to a 6 (510). I have no idea why such a dive occurred, but there it is.</p>

<p>His highest scores to use are: math 740
reading 640
writing 590 (from first SAT essay)</p>

<p>His SAT2 scores are: physics- 710
math-760
chem-730
AP Phys-5, CalcAB-5, CalcBC-5, Chem1-4</p>

<p>Will have excellent recommendations from his teachers, college prof and mentor (NASA). Within upper top 10% of class, though current school is not highly competitive in the state (more rural-suburban). I don't understand the weighted, unweighted thing, but he is over 4.0, in one measurement, yet overall maybe 3.8 if counting freshman year B's. Takes challenging courses and goes to local LAC when school doesn't provide stimulus.
EC's-not a mass consumer of extra curriculars. Track 3 years, football 1. Key Club, Rocket Club, some others I am forgetting. Major volunteer work has been staying after school to tutor kids in math or science. Interned at NASA.</p>

<p>Wants a college that is noted for math/physics. Will think about engineering or other direction for grad school...
Wants wide variety of classes offered.
Likes a "classic" setting, small to mid-sized.
Prefers some diversity.</p>

<p>Personality:
Tends toward the liberal end of the spectrum, but not too far left. Questions, likes to debate philosophic viewpoints, mostly agnostic. Prefers the company of well adjusted, intelligent kids.
Can hold his own with both adults and peers. Prefers small group of friends who do things together--not a "joiner" just to be part of a crowd.
Happy to spend time "gaming" on computer with friends on line. Not an artistic creative type, but works with abstract ideas extremely well and gives time to inventing possible solutions to scientific problems. </p>

<p>He says he is not going to be super picky about location and size, although he likes the typical LAC size. So we are applying to some universities: our state college--UMD at College Park, and legacy school-- Va Tech. He has mentioned some LACs, but I am afraid that some will be reaches more than match/safeties. Given the above info, can you recommend some LACs that would be a good fit?</p>

2

<p>When S was thinking physics/astro, we looked at U Rochester and Franklin and Marshall as match/safety schools with good science programs, academic-minded students, etc.</p>

<p>More reachy would be Haverford, Carleton, Colgate, Wesleyan.</p>

3

<p>A few of these are not LACs, but mid-sized universities. All have solid math/physics departments. I've asterisked the ones that have engineering program.</p>

<p>Reaches worth considering: Swarthmore<em>, Haverford, Carleton, Harvey Mudd</em>, Pomona
Matches: Grinnell, Brandeis, Bucknell, Lehigh, University of Rochester<em>, Reed, Case Western Reserve</em>, Brandeis, Macalester College, Whitman College (Washington), Union College<em>, Occidental Colllege, Middlebury, Trinity College in CT.</em>, Trinity University in Texas*
Safe bet schools: Lawrence U in Wisc. (has an outstanding physics department and a very good math program), Franklin & Marshall, Dickinson.</p>

4

<p>How about Trinity in Ct, Bucknell, Lafayette, Gettysburg, Muhlenberg?</p>

5

<p>3toGo,
I would like to second a couple of recommendations. Brandeis - lots of ideas floating around to discuss, strong math and science. The department chair in Physics at Case is very active, and the department hosts excellent colloquia (spelling can't be right - sorry). Neither Case nor Brandeis is so large as to be overwhelming.</p>