<p>Hi, I notice there are a few moms who have answered questions to questioning students. I just had a question that I thought you could give me some help with. I have a son that was accepted to Case, but he will be in the bottom 50% according to SAT's of his classmates. I have another son already at Case (sophmore this year) so I know that Case is pretty difficult grade-wise. At least all the students I meet are thrilled with B's (and even C's at times). At any rate, my son was also accepted to another school, but he would be in the top 25% (or better). He likes both schools (obviously he has visited Case many times so he is more familiar with the feel of the Case), & the cost would be identical. Would you send your son/daughter to a stretch school that is obviously better known or would you want them to go to a school where they are in the top of their class? At the moment he possibly wants to go into law or at any rate to grad school after. Thanks for your suggestions!</p>
<p>I'm just a senior in high school, but here's my suggestion anyways:</p>
<p>Unless a school is well-known for grade deflation (which Case may well be, I'm not positive), I would err on the side of the lower-ranked school (assuming you'd be equally happy at either school, and there aren't other concerns like $). I understand that your GPA is incredibly important for grad school admission, although the GRE/MCAT/LSAT/insert other standardized test will be important too.</p>
<p>At the same time, if you do pick the lower-ranked school, be especially careful to get excellent grades, and don't slack off because you assume you'll do well.</p>
<p>Mom, I am also Case soph parent. I know for fact that Case is tough, but doable to a dedicated student like my S. Not sure I would send second son to Case especially if he doesn't have the work ethic to keep up. There is nothing wrong w/sending kid to a lesser known school where they have better chance to excel and succeed. You both may be "comfortable" w/Case due to familiarity, but is it "right fit" for second s??</p>
<p>My second is hs soph and will have same problem in a couple of years. Although, he would never consider, let alone apply, to the same caliber schools as older S. Totally different students, interests, etc.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. Yes, Case is a good fit (kids, atmosphere, location, classes). He is a serious student and has done very well with AP classes and is in the top 15% of his class. I never ask him if he's done his homework (& believe me he has a lot) ever. He comes home and does it. He has never liked regular classes at school because the kids just don't seem to care about being at school let alone learning (& we live in a top school district in OH). I guess I am just worrying about nothing. It just seems that so many people care about GPA, test scores, and the like. Not that they aren't important, but it seems to me that you are still better prepared if you take the harder classes. At our high school, one of the guidance counselors wouldn't let his kids take honors or AP classes because he wanted his kids to have a better GPA (at that time they didn't give more points for taking those classes).</p>
<p>Just something to consider...If your son loves to learn, then Case may be a good fit for him. The students at Case do seem to enjoy learning, and there are tons of opportunities to stretch their minds. There are also opportunities for tutoring etc. The possible disadvantage of him going to a school with lower SAT scores would be that there might not be that same thirst for learning, and he may find that his classmate's attitudes are similar to what he found in high school.</p>
<p>Did you ask your older son whether his brother would be able to handle Case and whether it is a good fit? Sometimes siblings can see things that we as parents cannot.</p>
<p>kosha, my older son doesn't think he would have a problem. My older son is a classics/art history/major with a minor in French so he doesn't like math or science even though he aced his classes in high school. He did not have the oppportunity of many AP's because they weren't offered. The younger son has had A/P: physics, calculus a/b & b/c, literature, chemistry, government & such. He has done very well in all of them, but barely pulling a B in chemistry. Part of that reason: teacher has not been in class for weeks (illness), and he was in the fall play which took many hours. He is also not crazy about chemistry. Loves: calc, physics, & polysci. He is also getting A's on all his Lit papers - so he is a pretty good writer compared to other Case students. Not sure what he wants to major in possibly polysci with a minor in physics and math.</p>
<p>Something else to throw in - SAT scores are not a perfect prediction of how students will do in college, there could be some correlation but there certainly are lots of students who do significantly better or worse than their SAT scores would have suggested. I think your son should go where he thinks he fits in best.</p>
<p>I second kosha's comment--the atmosphere at Case would be perfect for your son, and your description of him (all those math/science APs) sounds like he would love Case.</p>
<p>I wouldn't worry about the SAT differential b/c he seems to be a hard worker & has done so well in other areas. You may be feeling tentative about him b/c he has been in the shadow of his older brother for so many years. I think he will do fine at Case!</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your help. He has decided on Case! Yeah!!!!</p>
<p>Yay!!!!!!!!!! :)</p>