<p>Hi - I need help in finding schools to look at for my son, a computer tech savvy kid starting his senior year in high school. He's a solid 89 student, taking (2) AP's Computer Science & English, he's in a variety of clubs, involved in the theater program at school; head of sound engineering for almost everything and anyone.
He scored a 26 on his last ACT and been on the Varsity golf team since 8th grade. </p>
<p>He's ADHD, tries very hard to manage his deficit, lacks confidence and is not a great test taker. I personally think he should work after graduation but, he says different and would like the opportunity to experience college. </p>
<p>I just don't know what path to guide or direct him; gap year, I believe he will not go back. Apply to college & defer enrollment? </p>
<p>Are there really good tech schools that would take him Northeast
of New York City say 2 - 4 hours? I welcome any advice or suggestions.
Thanks, Maggie</p>
<p>You may look into Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. His stats seem about right there as well. My dad went there many years ago and still talks about what a great college it was/is.</p>
<p>Why limit his choices to tech schools? Comprehensive universities that have good tech programs might be a better option.</p>
<p>Sometimes, students with tech interests discover after they start college that they would rather study something else. Or they may have difficulty with some of the courses and not be able to complete a tech major.</p>
<p>If a student like this is at a tech school, the student may need to transfer to another college to finish a degree. But at a university, the student simply changes majors.</p>
<p>I have a friend in McGill engineering and he got a whole year of co-op experience as well as lab work in this summer and I believe the McGill engineering and computer science departments have a pretty solid rep and has about 12% American student populations, so it might be worth checking out if you want something a little exotic.
I believe Montreal is about 6 hours north of NYC.</p>
<p>Take a look at this thread for parents of 3.0-3.3 students who graduated in 2013, to give you a sense of some of the colleges that admit students with your son’s stats.
Many (not all) are small colleges, and those can be a better bet for students who maybe need a bit more oversight as they mature. Look for the posts within the thread that list where these kids were admitted, and toward the end of April 2013 where they will attend. So many success stories!</p>
<p>I would also highly recommend a school with a co-op program, it sounds like your S would benefit from that sort of hands-on learning. Northeastern and Drexel are of course also well known for their co-op programs.</p>
<p>When you are visiting schools be sure to check into what kind of support they have for students with disabilites. A strong department can make or break the experience for someone who should have accommodation.</p>
<p>WPI (Worcester Poly Institute). Grades/scores might be a little low for RPI, but worth a look. Also look at the non-flagship Mass, CT, NY and PA state schools that have an engineering or technical program.</p>