<p>Given your S's situation, I think your geographical strategy is a very good one, and there are plenty of excellent schools in your target area. Re:merit aid, the College of Wooster is pretty generous with merit aid and is a better school than its selectivity would indicate. Given his interest in international relations, history and English, I'd tend to slightly favor Oberlin and Kenyon over some of the other schools discussed on this thread. In this region, Ohio State would be my large-school choice for those interests. </p>
<p>Regarding testing, I'd venture that the majority of the students on or known to this board take the SATs twice. I would expect the new version to solidify or increase that percentage. </p>
<p>Finally, if your S doesn't mind taking the ACT I think it's a good idea. Often kids do better on one than they do on the other. And check the ACT policies. . . at testing time I believe you can indicate that results not be sent anywhere. This seems a good tactic. If the results turn out better than SAT results. . .send them everywhere. If they are relatively the same or worse, just forget he took the test.</p>
<p>Welcome, Doddsdad, I have a SIL in your situation, launching a couple of kids from Germany. Having your son an easy drive from the family or further away, but close to an air hub (?Cincinnati), will make him feel more comfortable while maintaining his independence. He may find some small LACs too uniformly liberal for his taste, but he won't know until he visits. Further away, but good for his interests - Carleton, Macalester and St. Olaf's - all in the Minneapolis area. I second the ACT advice - it sounds like most of the schools he will be interested in are in ACT states.</p>
<p>What is yous son interested in studying? That may be an important factor for choosing the right school. Since he spent time abroad is percent of international students or diversity at all a factor? </p>
<p>I agree that Kenyon, Ohio Wesleyan and Oberlin are probably the best choices for him. Might I add F&M.</p>
<p>I would look into Miami of Ohio based on your son's interest. It would be a school that I would expect would offer good merit aid and is very strong in international relations. Another safety with good merit aid is IU. </p>
<p>A friends daughter who is looking into a international relations major with similar stats looked and loved William and Mary. </p>
<p>Miami of Ohio is very nice and has a good reputation here in the midwest. It is very conservative. On par with Denison.</p>
<p>I want to thank everyone for their great advice and suggestions. My S is going through the list of schools we generated from our own research and your suggestions. We are going to plan our visits accordingly. I'll let everyone know where we decide to go and the results of the visits.<br>
Thanks!!</p>