Need college suggestions

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello everyone!</p>

<p>My son is a junior in high school. We've done the counselor-o-matic and read various sources, but I have a feeling this community is the best for this kind of thing. I'd like to provide as much information as I can and get some suggestions, if that's okay. Here we go:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.4 (weighted) (Accelerated courses, i.e. Honors Bio in 9th grade, Honors Chem in 10th...Honors Algebra II in 9th grade but regular Pre-Calc in 10th. Honors English in 9th grade. However, no honors courses taken at all in Junior year.) Very competitive school. No rankings. Very bright but definitely underachieved for awhile...pulling things up now but has moved off of the honors track...may get back on it for senior year.</p>

<p>SATs: On sample tests so far, 700 in math, 640 reading, 580 writing (without essay)...hope to bring this up with a bit of tutoring but who knows of course.</p>

<p>Varsity football team, four years
JV indoor track (discus), Junior year (just decided to try it) and maybe next year too<br>
Not an incredibly stand-out athlete but very committed to it.</p>

<p>Treasurer of his grade (elected), Freshman, Sophmore, Junior years...will probably get it next year too. Coach of the Junior/Senior girls football game, won citizenship award last year...generally viewed as a leader in the school.</p>

<p>Works a part-time job at a local grocery store...worked full time during the summer and now does about 5-10 hours per week but less during football season (Sundays only, as that is the only day he has free during football.)</p>

<p>Concert Band (Drums)</p>

<p>Served about 50 hours of community service during high school so far.</p>

<p>Very outgoing, charming, funny...any college that does interviews would only help him. Good public speaker. (No debate team at our school.)</p>

<p>Not sure what he wants to study but thinks business. Likes to be around people and wants a college with good sports to watch. </p>

<p>Originally thought he might want a smaller school because our high school is small (800 kids) and everyone knows who he is, and he likes that I think. However, now he thinks a small school might be stifling to him as he likes a lot of activity. At the same time, he does like to be able to interact with the teachers. So...not sure here but I'm thinking bigger is better.</p>

<p>I'm inclined to favor state schools because of cost, although if there is money available to equalize things at a private school then they may not be an issue. </p>

<p>We live in Connecticut. My husband and I went to University of Michigan for our MBAs and I would love for my son to go there, but he is not sure he can get in. I'm not sure either.</p>

<p>Does anyone have any thought or recommendations? It's really hard to wade through all of the options and pick some schools to visit. </p>

<p>Thank you!!</p>

2

<p>A decent compromise between the sports-centered (incredibly large) state school and the smaller school would be any state school's honors college - they're small enough as not to stifle him (and provide personal attention, particularly at upper levels), but they'd also give the big sports school feeling.
Funny enough, my first thought for a specific school was UMich as a reach, but it seems you already have that covered =).</p>

3

<p>Trinity College. Every kid I know who goes there absolutely loves it.</p>

4

<p>Thank you for the suggestions. I would love as many as possible as it is really so hard for us to figure out what type of school he could make it into. He has many friends who "have it all" and are going to top schools which he won't be able to get into, but he also has a lot going for him and I want him to be at a school where he is happy and comfortable, and where the kids care about their education. I'd like to try and figure out some good match schools for him, as well as some reach (but not crazy reach) opportunities.</p>

<p>And...any suggestions you all have for improving his chances in general, other than (of course) pulling up grades/SATs, would be great!</p>

5

<p>I would look at Fairfield and Providence college. Both are strong academically and well rounded and close to CT.</p>

6

<p>I would add Quinnipiac and Marlboro(VT) for private colleges. University of Vermont is midsize for a public school and you may take a look at.</p>

7

<p>Apparently if you're not a skier, you don't fit into college in Vermont! I think Fairfield University is Jesuit which wouldn't be a fit either as we are Jewish. </p>

<p>I do appreciate the ongoing suggestions though. </p>

<p>What state schools would be reaches, matches, and safeties for a kid like him? (Or, should I start a new thread?)</p>

8

<p>If your son remains interested in a large school, U of Maryland-College Park is strong in both academics and athletics, and is a fun school. My neighbor's son is a freshman there, majoring in business, and is very happy. I believe it has a decent sized Jewish population ( you can check the Hillel website for the numbers).</p>

9

<p>U of Wisconsin-Madison is very similar to U of Michigan in every way, but considerably easier to get into. Also a bit similar are Indiana U., U of Kansas, U of Iowa, and U of Colorado, in that they are much more intellectually inclined than your stereotypical State U. party school. also check out Miami U. in Ohio.</p>