<p>Here's my DS stats: GPA 3.75 weighted, SAT's 2300 (800R, 710M, 790 W), subj. tests: literature 680, US History 780, AP exams all 5's in BC Calc, Pysch, and US Hist.</p>
<p>His extracurriculars are the weak part. He runs cross country, JV (high school is 1600 students), he plays guitar, has done two summers at UVA writers workshop, and now has a summer internship at a local art center. </p>
<p>He is not involved in any HS clubs and forgot to ever turn in his application for NHS last fall although he was invited to join (scream, LOL!). Reading the list below, I sometimes wonder if it's even worth it to apply to Brown, or whether we cross it off and focus on schools where he really has a shot. He's so bright but he's not exactly the well rounded, deeply involved in his community kind of kid ;). </p>
<p>Considered major/programs: Cognitive science, English lit., Hist., Photojournalism (definitely not ready to decide :).</p>
<p>Any help appreciated!</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Brown (big reach)</p></li>
<li><p>U of Virginia (we're VA residents)</p></li>
<li><p>UNC Chapel Hill (a reach too since out of state, but he loved this school and refuses to take off list just incase there's any chance...)</p></li>
<li><p>Oberlin </p></li>
<li><p>Denison </p></li>
<li><p>James Madison U. (VA res.)</p></li>
<li><p>UC Santa Cruz (he was born in Santa Cruz and would love to go but being out-of-state...)</p></li>
<li><p>Guilford (safety)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>His 2300 says he is bright, his 5’s on BC Calc and USHistory show that he can master challenging material. The weighted 3.75 may be the biggest liability. His ECs seem fine.</p>
<p>My advice: If he likes Brown, don’t take it off the list. Take off UC Santa Cruz. Not a good enough reason to apply. Also the UC system is under financial pressure.</p>
<p>Yes, his GPA is low for an Ivy too…a big part of the reason I’m thinking it’s a waste of our time. But I guess a big reach is still something everyone should keep on the list, so that you don’t always wonder “what if”. Also, good point on UCSC – thanks for your response!</p>
<p>With about an A- GPA, his mostly high test scores , and a 5 in BC calc (as well as his other AP courses)…he has shown he’s got the basic academic qualifcations for just about every college.</p>
<p>And, as a male with an interest in writing, it’s possible his essay will show a unique “voice” that will stand out in the pile of applications.</p>
<p>All of the schools on the list are going to take some kids who are not valdictorian, national prize winning , leadership EC, 3 season athletes. </p>
<p>I agree with those who say keep the reaches on the list. There’s a very good chance that even though he’s the type of kid who may not be the cookie-cutter high performer, he is the type of kid who is needed for a “well rounded” class.</p>
<p>Would he consider a school like Vassar…which has some similarities to Brown and Oberlin…and they really like males?</p>
<p>I think he has a good list. He has two relative safeties, with one a financial safety (in state James Madison), some reaches, including an affordable one. He has some nice wild card factors and good variety in his picks. I think Denison would be a safety for him as well, with a possibility of some merit money there. He could apply to all of those schools and have a nice hand. Any reason you want to narrow this list? 8 schools is not too many, in my opinion, in fact necessary if you are looking at college costs as well. Is financial aid going to be an issue? You do have that covered as well with some choices. I can’t come up with a thing wrong with his list.</p>
<p>Make sure he takes the time to write well crafted essays for UNC…they are a BIG part of their process and should not be taken lightly. What about class rank? UNC is full of kids who are very active in the community and has one of the highest percentages of UG volunteerism around. I hope that his lack of significant ECs doesn’t hurt him there…his stats look good but they really take a very holistic approach to admissions as well.</p>
<p>Again, the essays may be his ticket to UNC…make sure they aren’t the usual pabulum.</p>
<p>I can’t see paying the OOS COA of 50k/yr for UCSC, or really for any UC, particularly with the funding problems they’re having these days. While I understand his interest in going OOS, my kids do too, I really think there are much better options than the UCs.</p>
<p>To me it seems like James Madison would be a safety for him, financially and otherwise, being in state.</p>
<p>Did you/he visit Guilford? It seems quite different from the others to me. My kid didn’t care for it…felt very small and ‘sleepy’, though academically good and might be a great fit for some–just seems different in feel from the others, as far as campus energy level. If you visited and he liked it, by all means keep it on.</p>
<p>And I think he has a good shot at UNC and should go for it as a reach.</p>
<p>I agree that he should look into more schools like Brown and Oberlin as a male with interests in writing and the arts. Vassar is a good one, as is Wesleyan if he’s okay with a more political vibe.</p>
<p>Maybe I missed something, but why not W&M, especially since you’re in-state?</p>
<p>This is really helpful feedback! I am so happy to find a group of parents that have been there/done that, and can offer more info. on the list. To answer a few questions:</p>
<ul>
<li>unweighted GPA is 3.67. It’s good but as you can see probably not quite high enough for Brown (or UC Berkeley as someone suggested over UCSC).<br></li>
</ul>
<p>-his HS doesn’t rank </p>
<p>-2boysina- he was actually looking at Vassar for a while…hmmmm…good thought.</p>
<p>-eadad-- he is a gifted writer (fiction and poetry), and I am SO hoping that his essays will be what puts him at least in the running at UNC. He is considering EA there. </p>
<p>-paperplane–He HASN’t visited Guilford. Thanks for telling me your experience! We were planning on visiting in Sept. “Sleepy” would not be a good vibe for him :O</p>
<p>-teenage-cliche- Believe me, I have tried to understand why not W & M myself LOL! We visited last summer and he said absolutely no way would he be applying. I’m thinking --State tution, great school, WTH? Think he just associates the whole colonial village area with the college. Not for him, he says. He also hated Duke (where he would be a legacy) and so that was instantly crossed off the list. I so get a kick out of reading other parents kids reactions to schools on this site-- LMAO at some of the reasons kids don’t like a school :).</p>
<p>Columbia and U Chicago are very good for writing… Both are big reaches with his GPA, but may be worth a try. I don’t think most top schools are looking for “well-rounded” students any more. They are looking to build a well-rounded class from students with exceptional talent or ability …</p>
<p>UCSD has very good cognative science department. My DD was accepted there in that department and when we visited the school after her acceptance, they showed us the mouse lab and was very impressive. Your DS is a match to UCSD and may want to consider that and it is ON a better beach than UCSC.</p>
<p>Chicago is known for English lit. and good in Biology, it is NOT a high reach for your DS. My DD is admitted with lower SAT than your DS but she has good EC’s. You may want to try.</p>
<p>At UNC, check out the Thomas Wolfe Scholarship. Full ride. Based on writing submissions and recommendations. If you look it up on their web site there are details. Good luck!</p>
<p>You have got a really smart kid. Don’t take the reaches off the list. You might want to add a few of the fine suggestions from above. LACs need dudes. Add a couple more. Take a look at Pepperdine too.</p>
<p>I agree with the idea of removing UCSC and adding Kenyon and Vassar. Your list is definitely not too long. Chicago is another good reach, if it appeals to him.</p>