<p>To the OP</p>
<p>Welcome. You are getting great advice. So, I'll just add this: love your screen name!</p>
<p>ebeee - Thanks for the tip. We are planning a big visit during spring break, with a few weekenders scheduled as well. Hopefully we'll get a good look at lots of different campuses.</p>
<p>ccsurfer - thanks for the comparison. I never looked at the scores in that way before. I think he takes the ACT again in the spring, so hopefully his scores will increase. The SAT scores reflect the fact that he didn't finish the math section. Oy. He knows the stuff, just got hung up on a couple of things and ran out of time. </p>
<p>Newhope - thanks for the welcome!</p>
<p>anxiousmom - yes, hopefully he will be back to visit lots and lots! I appreciate your understanding of the "mom" thing!</p>
<p>mafool - teehee, thanks!</p>
<p>CLF-
If he does retake the SAT, a few practice tests and a serious review of test-specific test-taking strategies should help a great deal. He needs to understand the process-of-elimination strategies (guessing penalty) and the technique of going through the test, answering all the "easier" questions, and marking the others for the second pass.</p>
<p>Simon Rock College of Bard in Mass. (crazy name but good school) specifically/only targets students who are 15 or 16 years old...This might be a good choice to explore...subsequently remaining there, transferring out, or as a gap year program.</p>
<p>I thought Simons Rock was more for students who are interested in the humanities? I have a kid who is advanced in math/science but there doesn't seem to be a Simons Rock kind of thing especially for math/science.</p>
<p>Hi everyone. I'm a parent (solo mum) and am new to this site today. I'm also new to this kind of format so can't find where to join in speaking to others. Can I piggyback onto this one as I have some of the same questions? I have twins, age 17, and we live in New Zealand (with dual citizenship). That may sound nice to some but I am in a bind as I'm divorced from their NZ father who is the "deadbeat" variety so I've had to manage on my own over here and it has been quite hard. Now I want to find out if I can get my boys back to the States with a scholarship as they are US.citizens. I realize this could be a big 'ask' but nothing ventured, nothing gained......</p>
<p>It's better to start a new thread as your concerns are quite different.</p>
<p>CLF, Welcome! I can think of several smallish colleges with excellent academics and supportive environments that would appreciate your son's outdoorsy activities, but they are all cold and snowy! If he's willing to waive that part of his wish list then he should look at Grinnell, Carlton, Williams, Amherst, Middlebury, Bates, Bowdoin, Kenyon, Hamilton. . . gee, the list is long. :)</p>
<p>Saral, Welcome to you as well. I agree, start another thread, titled something like "Twins in in New Zealand need advice." American colleges admit many expatriate kids with financial aid, but your ex's financial responsibility is a complication.</p>
<p>Thanks for the list, momrath! I've taken note of those schools. </p>
<p>Muffy/Native - we've investigated Simon's Rock and, while a great option for kids like mine, doesn't meet his interests as far as chem/science/math. I'm grateful for your input though! </p>
<p>mafool - he's going to do a bit of SAT test prep this time around. He's been taking these tests completely cold/blind. He thinks preparation is sharpening his pencils! I can only imagine his scores if he does some preparation for them! </p>
<p>I hope that everyone here had a wonderful holiday! </p>
<p>Debie</p>
<p>Thanks guys. I appreciate your redirection.</p>
<p>I graduated from high school at 16 under similar circumstances. (Skipped first grade.) I never felt younger than classmates. I did take a year off living with a French family - and it was very good for me in a number of ways. It doesn't preclude one from applying now - the decision to take a gap year can be made later. If your child is looking at top school - you'd like to at least get that Math score over 700 - and improved essay can probably up the writing score as well. His ECs sound fine to me - not all ECs have to be at school. Drama is a great thing to be involved in.</p>
<p>mathmom - it is encouraging to hear that you were a young graduate too. Thanks for your input!</p>
<p>Your son will need some "safer" schools on his list also. Two that come to my mind are Beloit and Goucher--both have reputations for being supportive.</p>
<p>Grinnell and Carleton are both good suggestions. Grinnell is known for close advising and very small class sizes, even in lab sciences, both of which might be good things for a younger student.</p>
<p>Macalester College would be a good one, too. They have a terrific science building and program, and are in St. Paul Minnesota - big city, great place, nice school with lots of support, would appreciate male students since f/M balance a little to the female side.</p>
<p>Macalester is a great idea. Along with Beloit and Carleton. Not that familiar with Goucher, so cannot comment.</p>
<p>Hi all, I would also be graduating at 16 and was surprised to find out in this thread that younger students are sometimes viewed with ‘disdain” by colleges. I have good Sat scores and GPA and such, but I never considered the possibility of being too young. I have always been self sufficient and on par with my peers. Does anyone have any statistics to back up this assertion? Thanks.</p>
<p>I haven't picked up on any assertion that colleges view younger students with disdain. The statement was made that younger applicants are not cut any slack with regard to their scores, i.e., they need to be on par with other accepted students. The other concerns expressed were those of parents asking about social maturity, which will vary among 16-year-old applicants.</p>
<p>I think there is a difference between someone who decides to essentially apply as a junior (some with a high school diploma others without) and someone who has been young all along.) My impression is that in the latter case, the colleges don't consider your youth at all. You are judged exactly like the rest of the applicant pool. In the former case there colleges may look for some proof that you are mature enough for college and/or that your high school has no more opportunities for you and that you therefore need to go to college.</p>
<p>CLF, D was 16 when she started college and was surprised by the number of 16/17 year old students she met. Yes, we found some colleges seemed to be weary of her age and others seem to welcome younger students with open arms. D is at WashU and loves it. I would recommend getting SAT's in the 700's and let him visit a lot of schools, you can usually tell what schools fit your child fairly quickly. I also think your son should stay overnight in a dorm with current students to see if he feels comfortable at any college he is seriously considering.</p>