New 3.0 to 3.3 (GPA) Parents Thread

<p>Anyone know about Hendrix College’s 3/2 engineering program (or for that matter, any of the lesser-known LAC’s)? According to the website, you continue the last two years at Vanderbilt, Columbia or WUStL. Is it realistic to think that my ‘B’ student son could actually get an engineering degree from one of those schools? I wonder what the statistics are for students who go into the 3/2 program and those who actually make it out successfully?</p>

<p>I think these 3/2 programs are very common. My daughters college had one with WashU. My son’s college has one with Virginia Tech. Allegheny has one with Case Western. Here’s a list of the many colleges that offer this: [College</a> Lists / 3-2 Engineering](<a href=“College Lists Wiki / College Lists Wiki News and Information”>College Lists Wiki / 3-2 Engineering)</p>

<p>I think it will work for a motivated student. IMHO, most of our B students are not B students because of lack of smarts but more lack of study skills and motivation. If they can find those skills and motivation and are able to be accepted into the engineering program, then they will be able to succeed. I’m sure there is a minimum GPA for that, just like most technical majors.</p>

<p>Warriorboy, if the ED is non-binding (usually referred to as EA - Early Action), why not try it? Even if they decide they want to see his first term grades, they could just defer him to regular decision. I don’t think most schools outright deny ED/EA kids at any higher rate than they deny RD kids.</p>

<p>Kathiep - thanks. I’m looking closely at a few of these 3/2 schools, and comparing with schools like Loyola in Maryland with outright engineering programs.</p>

<p>Thank you musicmomz. What’s your take on Seattle Pacific?</p>

<p>URL to an interesting post about 3/2 engineering programs.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/juniata-college/519137-would-you-recommend-3-2-engineering-physics-poe.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/juniata-college/519137-would-you-recommend-3-2-engineering-physics-poe.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>johnnydoe,
I’m sorry to say that I don’t know much of anything about Seattle Pacific. I do know that Queen Anne Hill is a beautiful neighborhood.Our hs has had only one applicant in the last 3 years;
wGPA 3.62 SAT 1270/1840 SAT 28. Accepted EA.
University of Arizona and University of Colorado - Boulder have been popular with B and B+ students, but of course don’t have the west coast or pacific northwest ambiance.
I see you mentioned Pt. Loma Naz earlier. You couldn’t ask for a more beautiful location. Has it’s own beach for surfing! It has been getting more recognition in recent years, esp in bio sciences.</p>

<p>Gweeta - thanks very much for that URL. It was very informative, and even more encouraging.</p>

<p>Lafalum 84 - It is probably worth the shot. The school calls it ED, but you have to decide by Jan 15th. They give out the FA before then. He’d never qualify for merit aid.</p>

<p>Here’s a look at my stats.</p>

<p>Stats:
GPA: B or B-. Don’t know the exact #.
Rank:Top 50%
High School: Very Tough Public School. Ranked as one of the top 200 high schools in the United States.
State:New York
City:Long Island
ACT:27/36
SAT:1200/1600,1850/2400
Race: African American,First Generation American</p>

<p>Freshman Year:
I did terrible. I failed 2 classes.</p>

<p>Sophomore Year:
I did fairly well.</p>

<p>Junior Year:
I did extremely well</p>

<p>Senior Year;
I’m an AP student now.</p>

<p>Extra Curriculars:
Community Service(1 Year)
Church Youth Group(2 Years)
Job(1 Year)</p>

<p>NY Regents Diploma</p>

<p>AP Courses: AP US Government, AP Comp Gov. (Self-study)</p>

<p>Planned College Major: History or Political Science with an english minor</p>

<p>Regents scores:
Global:90
Earth Science:65
Biology:74
US History:93
English:76
Math B:71
Chem:75</p>

<p>Awards:
Most Improved Student</p>

<p>Schools:
Drexel(EA)
Duquesne(EA)
SUNY Albany(EA)
SUNY Plattsburgh
Clark U(EA)
Franklin Pierce U
Roger Williams U
Rowan U
Rider U(EA)
Arcadia U
Bloomsburg</p>

<ul>
<li>Any other schools you recommend? </li>
</ul>

<p>Any of you guys know about these schools?</p>

<p>mom0809, our son is also interested in 3/2 programs. We’ve enouraged him in this direction in large part because we’re worried that if he went off to an engineering school and didn’t like it (a real possiblity for him), he’d probably have to transfer. But if he were at an LAC with a 3/2 program, it would be easier to shift gears.</p>

<p>liljay, I’m sorry I’m not familiar with the schools on your list but congratulations on your turnaround from failing 2 classes as a freshman to taking APs as a senior. It’s always better to have an upward trend than a downward one!</p>

<p>Being a high school teacher in VA, James Madison usually accepts about a 3.6-3.7 or above with lots of ec’s. I don’t want to be discouraging but I have seen a lot of our students with great gpa’s and SAT scores not get in. It would be easier to transfer. Then they look at about a 3.2.</p>

<p>Your vast improvement during your HS years is great and will help you a lot with admissions. Other than the subjects you wish to study, tell us more about what you want in a college, as there are dozens of good options. What size school? Rural/suburban/urban? What geographic area? Your list has a lot of fine schools, but they are so different it is hard to tell your criteria.</p>

<p>Marid – Are stats for George Mason any different that James Madison? (any closer to the 3.0 - 3.3 titled on this thread…?)</p>

<p>Other than UVA, VA Tech and William and Mary…which I know are reaches for most students…does anyone know if admissions standards for out of state students are a little more generous at any of the other VA state schools?</p>

<p>And liljay…another congrats on your turnaround. Don’t know what you’re looking to study…but list looks extremely realistic for your stats. </p>

<p>Are you first generation college or just first gen American? If first gen college…you might be able to add another reach besides SUNY Albany. You might want to start a new thread with your post. I think there are parents on this forum who will be very helpful, but aren’t necessarily looking at this thread.</p>

<p>thanks for the feedback. overall Im looking at schools that I can get the best education at. any small to medium sized school. I really like Drexel because of the coop program and theyre decent for political science. the top 5 schools on my list are Drexel,Rider,Clark,Duquesne, and Roger Williams. I also dont want to attend a school 10 hours away from me. I probably will also make a thread on this</p>

<p>gweeta - my neighbor’s son, who isn’t a particularly strong student managed to get into Ga. Tech last year. I ‘think’ that hey may have gotten in because of his multi-cultural background, coming from outside of the USA, and maybe the fact that he did not apply for any fin. aid
Anyway, sad to say, he crashed and burned. He won’t be going back this year. I have yet to hear where he’s going, though.
I always think that it’s one thing to get in, but what happens when you’re there? That’s an even bigger issue (do you think? LOL). So you’re absolutely right to proceed the way you’re going. I believe I may be right behind you with this.</p>

<p>I do have a small concern with the LAC’s and 3/2 programs though, because I read somewhere on the engineering sub-forum here that only a small percentage of students who go in with the intention of completing the 3/2 program actually make it all the way through. I’d love to hear from several people’s first hand experiences.</p>

<p>I will tell you my experience as someone with an undergrad in chemistry and a masters in engineering. Engineering programs are for the most part very rigerous and cutthroat those first two years. The schools do a very good job weeding out those who cannot cut it. The math is intense. I imagine someone coming from a 3/2 program would be in for a rude awakening that first year at the engineering school. Not saying they couldn’t do it, just they may have some catch up to do and the homework will be more intense than they are probably used to.</p>

<p>Would schools like Allgeheny, Clark U, etc. be a good match for B students? Based on my research, it seems like it is becoming more difficult to get into those kinds of schools.</p>

<p>Mamom - thanks.
It sounds so attractive you know. “Do the first 3 years at lesser-known LAC, get your engineering degree from big name-brand school.”
Like Gweeta, I’d like the option for my DS to have just in case engineering’s not his ‘thing.’ If he’s not in an engineering school from the start, he may have choices.
However, if he does stay on the engineering track, what will be the transition like? Too hard? Would it have been better for him to go to a less competitive engineering school from the start? eg. Alfred U., FIT, etc.
Ughhhh. Decisions!</p>