New England Options for B Students

<p>Suffolk's housing situation is getting much better; they've just finished a new dorm. And its location on Beacon Hill, across the street from the State House, the Boston Common and near the Public Garden, can't be beat.</p>

<p>chedva, good to know about Suffolk. Your son I think would be around the upper 25% at Suffolk as far as stats, but they only meet about 65% of financial need on average, and only a small % get merit aid. My source was USNews. I have relative who taught at Suffolk, and seems to be nice school from what I have heard.</p>

<p>About UConn., it is still difficult to get in from NJ. I read on the UConn board that it is more difficult when applying for certain majors (ie: a kid from NJ as business major).</p>

<p>How about SNHU? This is an up and coming school from what I hear. </p>

<p>All the NE state schools can be difficult to gain entrance if you are OOS - i.e. if you are from Mass it is much harder to get into UNH than if you are from NH. Likewise with UConn, UVM and Maine. </p>

<p>Ahh I see someone else mentioned Temple. If your son wants a city and a business degree do not overlook Temple. This is a great school that has a great campus - the business school is terrific - there is a lot to offer. It is getting more difficult to gain admission though as it is becoming more and more popular. If he likes basketball then there is not much better than college basketball in Philadelphia - both men's and women's.</p>

<p>I am going to give you some advice I know you don't want to hear. Your son will have better options if you are willing to look at colleges in the South and Midwest. MUCH better options. I understand completely wanting to have him close to home, but for a New England kid, it's easier to get into a "tier 2" college in the Midwest than a "tier 3" in New England. </p>

<p>If you won't look further, I'd suggest looking at Manhattan College, a Catholic college which is actually located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx (a very safe neighborhood). That's probably a "reach" for him. Iona is another possibility. Both St. Joes--the one in Pennsylvania and the one in northern New England--I can't recall which state, senior moment! --are worth checking out. </p>

<p>BU has a special College of Liberal Studies. It's a 2 year program, but you get admitted as a regular 4 year student. You take your courses in this more structured program for the first 2 years, and then continue in one of the other colleges within BU (Boston U.) It's a bit easier to get into than the College of Arts and Sciences, and frankly I think for the less academically engaged student, a better experience. Again, it may be a bit of a reach. </p>

<p>I concur with the recommendations of Merrimack and St. Anselm's. </p>

<p>But again, look to the Midwest and South, and he'd have better options. Butler University in Indianapolis might be a good option. (Check out basketball!)</p>

<p>Concerned 123, I am confused: are you thinking a LAC may not be what your son is looking for? "I don't see a liberal arts education as a possibility; my child is a boy and a very logical thinker." Do you think an engineering school might be a better bet? If so, what about WPI?</p>

<p>I agree with Jonri's suggestion. We have a younger son who is in 10th grade, and we will cast a wider net than our area. </p>

<p>I would think that Manhattan college is a match, but maybe I am wrong. I think that Iona has some housing issues, but just as Suffolk built a new dorm, things at Iona could have changed.</p>

<p>I think he will end up in engineering of some kind - I was thinking WPI but not sure how hard it would be to get in.</p>

<p>jonri - you do make some good points -
the schools in the south are also much cheaper than in the Northeast. I am not sure about easier to get into necessarily. </p>

<p>If you son would like a big state school then search the south. he may find OOS tuition cheaper than In-state in New England. And some scholarship dollars to boot.
University of South Carolina - esp if he gets his SAT's up to 1800. Also try Clemson (good in Engineering), and North Carolina State.</p>

<p>NC is pretty strict on limiting OOS students. I think they cap it at 16% (at least they used to). So you must apply early in the cycle if you are thinking of applying to NC public U's. This may apply to other states too, but I know it was a topic of conversation on these boards re:NC. </p>

<p>(ya hang around long enough, you can pass info on to the "next generation of cc'rs)</p>

<p>Salve Regina in Newport RI.</p>

<p>
[quote]
NC is pretty strict on limiting OOS students.

[/quote]

UNC yes. NC State not so popular with OOS students. Not as tough to get into as UNC and a great engineering program. Still could be a stretch though.</p>

<p>But, yes, apply early. Especially if you are not a super strong candidate and need money.</p>

<p>Holy Cross is a reach for sure - this year they waitlisted or rejected many A students. I agree that looking outside the Northeast would be a great idea.</p>

<p>Southern and mid-western schools are not "easier to get into," but you get at lease a little geog bounce - - especially since a number of southern and mid-western schools have been heavily recruiting in the NE. </p>

<p>Last year, for example, I attended a Rhodes event at which the college's President and director of admissions addressed a group of maybe 10 Manhattan families - - and were delighted by the turn-out. Similar response from a joint Oberlin - Colorado College - Reed event that drew about 60families. </p>

<p>Concerned, if you're willing to consider the mid-west, Case (offers engineering) is a possibility -- certainly more so than Wheaton, Holy Cross, Northeastern or UConn, all four of which are increasingly tough to get into.</p>

<p>Also, too bad you don't think a LAC is right for your son. Applying to the former women's colleges - - in the n'east that would be Sarah Lawrence, Goucher, Bennington, for example - - would really boost his chances. And, your S's PSAT math score is not only low for a boy (boys tradit score higher on math; girls higher on CR/verbal), but particularly low for a math/sci program like engineering.</p>

<p>Wheaton in Massachusetts is a former all female school that accepts about 40% each year, but is much easier for males as it is approximately 62% female & 38%, of course, male. College of the Holy Cross--a great school academically--would be more difficult regarding admission.</p>

<p>University of Hartford</p>

<p>Yes, as one of the former women's college's he should consider Wheaton, but these days very few schools are 50/50 female/male - - at most schools it's 55/45. And at 62%female, Wheaton is just shy of the Vassar 60/40 split. Goucher, Sarah Lawr and Bennington are between 67% and 75% female and far more lenient with male applicants. </p>

<p>Also, Wheaton and Holy Cross are very similar in terms of admission profiles (mid 50% on SAT 600-690CR/580-690M; 64% of applicant in top 10% of the class at Holy Cross; 54% at Wheaton).</p>

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<p>OK...more detailed answer. University of Hartford has a fine College of Engineering AND the Barney School of Business. Both provide good programs in their fields. I'm not an adcom, but I believe a B student with these stats would be accepted at this school.</p>

<p>Is your son currently a 10th grader, or an 11th grader? Those SAT scores might improve enough so that some of the reaches will become match schools. Also, your son might want to try the ACTs. The PSAT scores are still good scores btw.</p>

<p>Providence College, in Providence, RI?</p>

<p>Wheaton used to have a program with Georgia Tech where you end up with an engineering degree. Like a fifth year add on. Maybe they still do.</p>