<p>Son is a 3.0 student, a few honors classes, 600 on CR, 460 Math (Ouch) 580 Writing, 25 on ACT. Goes to HUGE public HS in Virginia. Wants big spirit school in New England (hockey). Applying to UNH, UConn, UMass, University of Southern Maine and Salem State. UNH is his top choice. Are we crazy to think he might have a shot at getting in to the big universities? Will the out of state thing work in his favor? Should I be steering him in different directions? We looked at some of the smaller colleges (i.e. Endicott and SNHU) and he is just not interested. Any thoughts on this as he begins his apps this weekend? Thanks!</p>
<p>I’m not at all familiar with those schools, but there’s nothing wrong with aiming high as long you have a safety or two in there.</p>
<p>It’s important that your child demonstrate his strengths in all areas on his application and references. In my opinion those schools want students who are going to work hard, stay on track, and demonstrate good social skills.</p>
<p>I don’t think UNH will be a problem…maybe not UMass either. UConn might be tough, and I’m not familiar enough with the other schools to judge. This is based on our Naviance…YMMV!</p>
<p>Salem State should be no problem…here’s their listing of minimum grades and scores, and he’s well above the minimums:
[Salem</a> State College: Admissions Requirements](<a href=“http://preview.salemstate.edu/admissions/1313.php]Salem”>http://preview.salemstate.edu/admissions/1313.php)</p>
<p>Univ. of Southern Maine should also be OK. Notification is supposed to be 4-6 weeks from receipt of all materials…although…at another spot on their site…they say notifications begin in early Jan.</p>
<p>Being out of state for UNH could help. If application is in by Nov 15, you’re supposed to hear by late Jan. </p>
<p>If applications for these 3 are completed within the next few weeks, you should hear in January and there will still be time to add a couple of schools with Feb 1 and March 1 deadlnes, if absolutely necessary.</p>
<p>UConn and especially UMASS-Amherst are more popular with out of state students and are known to be a little more difficult to get into than the others on his list, but he should have a few reaches, anyway…</p>
<p>Is Math ACT subscore better than SAT score? If yes…submit that rather than the SAT.</p>
<p>He shouldn’t have any problem with USM. It’s not my favorite school, but there are some good schools–notably the School of Music and the Muskie School of public policy. Be sure to check the available majors carefully. USM dropped some majors that most would consider basic in the last two years. (They have the dept, but don’t offer a major.) I do not have the impression that USM is a big spirit school. There are many suitcase students, and non-traditional students. (Adult education is one of their strengths.) If he wants a hockey spirit school in Maine I would look at U Maine Orono instead.</p>
<p>Portland is a wonderful little city. There are two campuses, one in the neighboring town of Gorham, but transportation between the two is quite easy.</p>
<p>Like many public Us, USM has experienced budget crises recently.</p>
<p>Yes, Math ACT is 25, Reading 27, English 25, Science 24…I’m thinking he should just submit ACT’s only even though his CR and Writing on SATs are ok. Thoughts on that?</p>
<p>Thanks…I too have reservations about the commuter apsect of USM. One draw is that they just added Sports Management as a major (it had been a minor) in the business school. True, not a big spirit school but the Gorham campus is nice and has a rink.</p>
<p>A 25 ACT is 1130-1160 M+CR so I’m guessing the ACT is stronger overall. I agree, have him hop on his apps and get them done and submitted, see where it plays out in January. It’s a pretty good list overall especially if he “likes” all the schools.</p>
<p>Oops crossposted, yes submit the ACTs.</p>
<p>Except for one outlier everyone from our school who was accepted at UNH had an SAT of at least 1100 out of 1600 and about a B or better unweighted GPA. UMass looks like a slightly reachy match if he’s got about a B/B+. Don’t have any data to base the other schools on.</p>
<p>I think it’s a good year to try reach state schools as they all seem to be clamoring for full pay out of staters.</p>
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<p>I completely agree…anyone who is reaching high needs to apply to at least 2 safety schools. And, he should LIKE those safeties enough to go there. The reason I think evey kid needs at least 2 safeties is because there is a chance that when spring comes around, your child may no longer like one (or two) of his safeties, or he may only receive acceptances to his safeties. A safety won’t really be a safety if your child refuses to go there. And, by having at least 2 safeties, your child will still have a choice of schools to attend.</p>
<p>FWIW, University of Rhode Island (URI) seems a bit easier to get into than UMASS, UCONN, UNH</p>
<p>Perfect timing, I just saw this. </p>
<p>[UMass-Amherst</a> targets out-of-staters to boost profile, funding - The Boston Globe](<a href=“http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2009/10/11/umass_amherst_targets_out_of_staters_to_boost_profile_funding/]UMass-Amherst”>http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2009/10/11/umass_amherst_targets_out_of_staters_to_boost_profile_funding/)</p>
<p>He and your wallet are now TARGETS!</p>
<p>Interesting that that UMass article would appear as we are beginning this process! I wish my son was a bit more open-minded about the smaller schools as, ultimately I see them as a better fit academically. However, reasoning with an 18 year old is never easy. He is doing most of the EA so we’ll have some time to regroup if necessary. Thanks to all!</p>
<p>Good luck. There is so much press these days about college admissions, but in general most kids end up at one of their choices without much anxiety. And yes, with your plan you do have time to regroup if necessary, but hopefully he’ll be done by January and everyone in your family can enjoy the end of senior year. I wish my kids “liked” the bigger universities more but mine, too, are pretty firmly fixed on what appeals to them. The grass is always greener I guess…</p>
<p>Have you looked into Quinnipiac in CT? Pretty campus with great hockey team/following (new, beautiful rink).</p>
<p>Yes, we have visited the campus (casually a few years ago). The do have a fabulous rink! I have presented it to him as an option…we’ll see what he does with it.</p>
<p>What is he interested in for academics?</p>
<p>My guess is that he could get into UMass Lowell and their hockey team was pretty hot last year: [Inside</a> College Hockey | Championship Rematch Will Set Tone in Hockey East](<a href=“http://insidecollegehockey.com/inch/2009/10/29/bu-uml/]Inside”>http://insidecollegehockey.com/inch/2009/10/29/bu-uml/)</p>
<p>UMaine at Orono has a pretty big hockey culture. There’s a MacDonalds nearby with hockey pictures all over the place. The school seems like a big sports school and it looks like they have a big variety of academic programs. There are a lot of frat houses on campus if he’s interested in that.</p>
<p>UNH has gotten harder and harder to get in with school prices going up. It used to be considered a safety for NH students but no more.</p>