<p>Not trying to pile on the messenger, but I really have a problem with hammering a kid about the negatives that at this point cannot be changed. The focus needs to be on schools where this kid, who is clearly not the most academically inclined – at least at the moment, would be a good fit. If he is interested in large public schools, there are LOTS of them out there where his stats fit right in. If he’s not interested in small LACs, don’t push them. The wonderful thing is that at many of these schools there are automatic calculators which tell you if you’re eligible for admission. For example, Arizona State University (ASU) has this:</p>
<p>Aptitude Requirement</p>
<p>Students must meet one of the following aptitude requirements:</p>
<pre><code>* 3.0 GPA in competency courses (2.5 - 2.99 considered)
- Top 25% (top 26-50% considered)
- ACT 22 (24 nonresidents)*
- SAT Reasoning 1040 (1110 nonresidents)*
</code></pre>
<p>*ASU does not require the writing portion of these tests.</p>
<p>Competency Requirement</p>
<p>Admission may be granted with one deficiency in no more than two competency areas. Deficiencies in both math and laboratory science are not acceptable. Students must earn a minimum 2.0 in any subject area. Most competencies may also be met by test scores or college courses. See Detailed Competency Requirements for more information.</p>
<pre><code>* English - 4 years (composition/literature based)
- Math - 4 years - Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II and one course requiring Algebra II as a prerequisite.
- Laboratory Science - 3 years total (1 year each from any of the following areas are accepted: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Integrated Sciences, and Physics)
- Social Science - 2 years (including one year American History)
- Foreign Language - 2 years (same language)
- Fine Arts - 1 year
</code></pre>
<p>My take is that the private counselor isn’t used to working with students who have a mismatch between SAT/gpa as much as your son has, and she sounds somewhat unfamiliar with requirements at many of the big publics, probably because those aren’t the schools students generally are interested in when they seek out private college counseling.</p>
<p>I also echo the suggestion that your son pick several of these large public schools and apply as soon as the admissions window opens. Many (most?) don’t use the common ap, but their applications tend to be simpler anyway; some don’t even have essays or require recommendations. </p>
<p>I’m of the “bloom where you are planted” theory. If he goes to a large public and puts time and energy into doing well academically, he’ll have many options going forward. Some schools, like ASU, have very well-known honors colleges into which kids can transfer after a year of excellent grades at ASU even if the high school grades weren’t outstanding. </p>
<p>He sounds like a neat kid, and I suspect that he has every capability of doing very well in college. Good luck!</p>