"Nerd colleges"

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I’m looking for “nerd colleges” for my son. (I am not insulting my son by saying that - just stating the obvious.) </p>

<p>He’s a junior at a highly regarded upper-middle class suburban public school. He has never really made friends there, though kids like his sense of [obscure nerd] humor. He was teased a lot in early years, so he’s wary of people’s intentions and stays to himself.</p>

<p>He is well-liked by teachers and very funny. He’s very smart (read before age 3), and extremely good at biology/chemistry and now computer programming (his MIT-trained teacher says he’s “a natural”). But his PSAT is 90th percentile and he probably couldn’t handle a super-rigorous college as it takes him a longer time than most to finish work. </p>

<p>He has no extracurriculars because school is so stressful. His GPA is 3.4 (honors but no AP). His work does not match his intellect, but I want to be realistic about the quantity of work in college. He’ll probably do a summer program or internship this summer if he can get one. He wants to major in computer programming or biology.</p>

<p>I’m most interested in his finding a school where he (typical computer nerd) is the NORM, not the exception. Somewhere he can make friends AND love the classes. I know this type of school is out there, I just don't know where yet.</p>

<p>He won’t do well at an Abercrombie-clad/uber-athletic (his former tormentors) school or a liberal arts college, and probably not a huge public university (though UMd. is very close and would accept him). I’m thinking a college with mostly science/technology nerds. </p>

<p>So far I’ve read about RIT (biggest activity on campus - Rochester Wargamers club!), Rensselaer, Worcester Polytechnic. I think even applying to CalTech, UChicago or MIT (where he could potentially fit in socially really well) is useless, as I’m worried the workload could overwhelm him on the off-chance he got in. (Also - any warm weather colleges of this ilk? Small colleges?)</p>

<p>Help!</p>

2

<p>Another possibility - Rose-Hulman, and for warm weather - Harvey Mudd.</p>

3

<p>^ I heartily second Harvey Mudd, but it'll be extremely tough with that GPA (but not impossible)!</p>

<p>Anyway, the school (if he got in) seems like a good fit.</p>

4

<p>If you could encourage him to take some AP tests and courses he could become more competitive to a school like UChicago. It does seem that he would fit in there quite nicely. Another option you stated, Rensselaer, is great. From what I hear the workload is manageable and it is an up and coming techie school.</p>

<p>Another option might be Carnegie Mellon.</p>

5

<p>You (and/or your son) might find it interesting to sit in on some computer science, chemistry or biology classes at UMd, since you are nearby, anyway. I think that you will find that the kinds of kids who are likely to be the majority in those classes are likely to be kids he would be friends with.
I think that a big school offers so many opportunities for students with all kinds of specialized interests and personalities, since there are enough students to share any passion.</p>

6

<p>@ zen, I've always understood that, although UChicago is "nerdy," it's typically associated with humanities-based nerdiness. I could be totally wrong, but judging from their extreme emphasis on quirky, creative essays, that's just my $.02 :)</p>

7

<p>i think hookem got accepted to yale and, well, the rest speaks for itself</p>

8

<p>^ Nope, haha I'm an RD-er ;)</p>

9

<p>Lol, yeah I heard they have a rigorous round of essays for the application. I guess they get a rap for certain cliques around the school. :)</p>

<p>Even so I hear the work load is brutal, spending so much time on homework might get them a reputation as anti-social. (even if it isn't entirely true)</p>

10

<p>ooh, epic fail on my part</p>

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<p>^ lol, don't worry about it. Maybe you sent some good karma my way ;)</p>

12

<p>perhaps; btw, didn't me and you have a falling out on another thread? i think that was you, but i can't remember what it was about</p>

13

<p>Carnegie mellon university.</p>

14

<p>^ lolz, I don't remember either.</p>

15

<p>zen - i'm less concerned about his getting into a competitive college than being in a college where there are smart, nerdy people who aren't all necessarily overachievers on paper. he tried an AP NSL as a soph. and it was rote copying (almost paragraph-by-paragraph) of information, so we switched him to honors, where the emphasis was on discussing/learning the material and less on copious amounts of writing.
Silicon - UMd. has well-regarded biology/science (w/NIH, NASA, FDA, NIST etc. here) but it's huge w/big party/frat scene. don't know.
keep those college ideas coming, y'all! and thanx!!!</p>

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<p>UChicago FTW! But your son will have to try and get that GPA up but at U of C, passion and an amazing essay can overcome a low GPA (normally 3.4 is actually very good but compared to the hordes of 3.8+ who apply to top schools its a lil low)</p>

17

<p>Rice is an obvious suggestion. A reach, given his stats, but an excellent fit otherwise- strong in the sciences, slightly nerdy/quirky, and warm.</p>

<p>Trinity (TX) might be a good match. Great school with strong sciences and engineering.</p>

<p>Although they're not as warm, Bucknell, Case Western, and U Rochester could also be good fits for your son.</p>

<p>

I second this. With 25,000 undergrads, there should be <em>plenty</em> of people like your son at UMD.</p>

18

<p>Georgia Tech is nerd college.</p>

19

<p>Harvey Mudd was the first school that I thought of (though it'd be difficult for your son to be accepted), but I agree with Rice, too.
Also, this is definitely a reach, but Carleton has a great science program and is essentially a haven for nerds.</p>

20

<p>Swarthmore
Chicago
MIT</p>