<p>I think Rose-Hulman would define a "fit" school.</p>
<p>OP,
Will your S be disclosing his Asperger's in his application so he can qualify for academic supports? Does he currently have a 504 or IEP? This would be a very good thing to discuss with the GC at your S's school to get his/her thoughts on how to broach these issues (or not). Certainly disclosure could put some things in context, but your S will be 18 or close to it when he starts college, so obviously, his input and buy-in here is essential.</p>
<p>S1 had extended contact with folks at UMD's CS department last year, and the advisor was the major reason he decided to drop several schools from his list. (His reasoning -- why pay all that $$ for XX when I'd have X as my advisor and advocate at UMD?) This advisor is very much on the kids' side -- we heard that from students (who we have known for a number of years) currently in the department -- and S experienced it himself.</p>
<p>We also know several folks who are at UMBC -- very, very smart kids, grades in your S's range, and they are absolutely blooming (and got nice merit $$ to boot).</p>
<p>Feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>Definitely Rose-Hulman.</p>
<p>collegeconfidential blogs have officially made me sick</p>
<p>Carnegie mellon!!!!</p>
<p>To echo what many have already said, definitely Carnegie Mellon all the way.</p>
<p>It may sound off the wall, but I would take a look at Michigan Tech (Michigan</a> Technological University). It's actually a great computer/engineering nerdy school which would be a safety for your son.</p>
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Virginia Tech or Georgia Tech would be my recommendations
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</p>
<p>If you have a 3.4 in HS I wouldn't recommend Georgia Tech. Sure he could probably get admitted, but the OP stated that his/her son is relatively slow at getting work done. Although I personally do not believe Tech is a hard school (I have a 3.8 GPA in ECE), many people that were less than studious have found their end here.</p>
<p>Why are people recommending Carnegie Mellon? It's a fine school, but a student who didn't take the most rigorous courses offered at his school, and has a 3.4 GPA, has only a tiny chance of admission. Same with William and Mary- great school, but not even a realistic reach for this kid.</p>
<p>yeah def carnegie mellon.</p>
<p>Hey, I didn't read all of the posts, but I had a few suggestions. It seems like a lot of people are suggesting very hard schools, that although he may get into could put A LOT of stress on him. College can be very stressful with the huge workload, being away from home and much more. I have a friend at U of Chicago who was #1 in our school, which is a pretty rigorous high school. Even he found the work load overwhelming at first. I also know someone at Case who said it is pretty hard. This school may not have the vibe you are looking for, but I know someone who goes to Western Kentucky University and they have a program called the Kelley Autism Program. It helps both local kids and students with autism. The person I know interviewed a student for the news paper who has aspergers and would go there for help. That program maybe helpful. I have noticed that a big school can be nice. My school is a liberal arts school with about 15,000 people and there are all kinds of people. But, most of the people in a major your son would pick are pretty nerdy. Since you get a larger amount of students you get more diversity and since you are taking many classes with people who often have similar interests you will probably find people like you. There are also more clubs in college were you can meet people with similar interests. Just remember that college can be a VERY big change and can be very overwhelming. You want to make sure you find a school that will not be too hard and will be able to offer support services especially if he is receiving any now. Also, college is a lot less cliquey and most people are more excepting.</p>
<p>Pugmadkate, bravo and well said! We had a similar story with one of our children, pulled him out for a bit, then he went back and thrived. I agree with everything you wrote, and you wrote eloquently!</p>
<p>Countdown, you raise an important issue: that to get accommodations, the 18+ student has to be willing to self-disclose, and meet with people to discuss what he needs. Often, the parent can be included if the student agrees, and, if the student has problems with social and communication skills, that can help a lot. But the student can also say no.</p>
<p>To the original poster, does your son have a 504 plan or IEP at his high school now?</p>
<p>Our daughter went to a rigorous music composition program one summer. There were a couple of boys who would meet the "nerd" stereotype. The rest of the kids just sort of enfolded them, and the community itself was just very nurturing. These same two boys could have gone to computer camp and hung out playing games with kids whose interests were the same. But I think that experience, at the music camp, is influencing my answers.</p>
<p>While your son is very bright, it sounds like he does not respond well to pressure or the need to do a lot of work fast. Again, Goucher and Clark have the reputation that they serve B students, and the faculty say explicitly that they prefer it that way. They find the kids fresher, more eager, more fun to teach, than the more slick, polished super A student who already know it all and already knows how to do everything.</p>
<p>There is an emphasis on cooperation and interaction, rather than on performance and competition.</p>
<p>My last post here, good luck!</p>
<p>Rensslear might take him and make him happy there.</p>
<p>I'm not sure if it's mentioned already, but Stevens is also pretty good.</p>
<p>I agree 100% with Case Western and Virginia Tech. Great suggestions, great fits.</p>
<p>I was also thinking of Michigan Tech - especially if he likes snow.
It might also be worth investigating Missouri University of Science and Technology.
I think that as tech schools go, these two are relatively easy to get through (OK, now, don't everyone jump on me for saying that!) and have nice opportunities for co-ops.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Of particular note are papers on the 5 super-sensitivies of super smart kids. They tend to be sensitive (and distracted by) physical irritants such as the seam in their socks or the texture of their clothes. Many are also super sensitivities to unfairness, injustice, or social slights of others. With extra brain power sometimes comes extra strong emotions. It is part of the package, not a syndrome.
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^^^toadstool</p>
<p>I'm actually very familiar with Dabrowski's work, as I have an exceptionally gifted child. He shares none of the symptoms of Asperger's, although he does have all 5 overexcitabilities. Profound giftedness and Asperger's are two completely different animals.</p>
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What about schools for really nerdy kids that are obsessed with humanities? That describes me. I used to be more of a tech and science type person, but overtime the switch has gone overwhelmingly to the arts. I also really like the city environment.
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Obstinate^^^</p>
<p>You don't give your stats, but look into St John's College in Annapolis, MD</p>
<p>Rose-Hulman sounds like the best option to me.
A lot of the schools suggested are unrealistic for a person with a 3.4 GPA
and since you've given no other stats, that's all we have to go by!</p>
<p>You should definitely look into Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
I go to Holy Cross, which is also in Worcester, and from what I know about WPI, it sounds like quite a fit for your son. </p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Obstinate, check out Reed. Not only is it a tremendous school for those obsessed by humanities, but Portland is a wonderful city.</p>