<p>Hello- I am a parent new to CC and admit I have had some challenges navigating
. It seems in searching for threads of topics I am interested in sometimes leads to old (? Possibly irrelevant) postings or info is buried in postings with thread titles that make finding the forum difficult.
I did find 3.0 to 3.3 (GPA) Parents HS class of 2014 which I will be following, and to which I posted the below entry.
It also seemed like a good idea to repost/ start a new thread for those of us with current juniors with mild disabilities/ learning differences embarking on the search
My son has a 3.27 unweighted all subject GPA, (academic subjects only, weighted, 3.09) in well respected high school. He has had 3 honors classes and slated for one AP upcoming senior year. He has two good ACT scores (31 and 32) with one result pending. He is a late bloomer academically, started at 2.3, with his last semester GPA 4.0 after appropriate supports in place (ADD, auditory processing and graphomotor issues). ECs are quality not quantity (sports, music and service). Not much leadership (tougher to get in a high school with ~3000 kids)</p>
<p>We did a college visit tour LAST fall due to spring conflicts with sports and concerts, and to allow for visits while school is in session. He is interested in small- medium private schools in Florida (has hated our Midwestern winters since childhood) where he can pursue his extracurricular scuba/sailing interests as well. He does a good job of work before play/ balancing school and ED commitments. He is interested in business undergrad degree (finance/economics), prelaw track. </p>
<p>So far the brief impressions/ list:</p>
<h1>1 University of Tampa- compact but beautiful campus with fabulous facilities. Doable honors program. Sykes school of Business has good rep (higher than the school as a whole, I think, as does college of nursing), innovative and unique leadership opps, easy access to downtown Tampa internship opps/ alumni mentoring. Parking garage for his car hell need to get to Clearwater beach LOL. Varsity swim team as well as Orchestra Performance opps for non-music majors</h1>
<h1>2 Rollins College- The most prestigious of the schools we visited, but still probably a match (per naviance). Beautiful campus looks like a resort not college. It seems some of the northeastern rich snob stereotype may be true (long story here). On a well utilized lake which is good since far from beaches. Also a Sunshine State Conference DII swim school, good Greek system.</h1>
<h1>3 Florida Southern College- voted #1 most beautiful campus (is very nice). Was the most warm/ welcoming, with emphasis on individuals and ensuring success. On campus Greek housing. Is #3 ranked NCAA division II in mens swimming (? He might be walk-on only) ?Lack of reputation would hurt him for law school</h1>
<h1>4 Stetson University- great camaraderie. seemed the most academically challenging re expectations, but yet the most supports (even for regular non-IEP kids). Pretty campus is more classic. Most kids from in state which might be a negative. Nice on campus Greek housing. ~20 m from Daytona. No swimming, but a welcoming crew team</h1>
<h1>5 Eckerd College- thought this was gonna be #1 pre visit (one of the colleges that change lives, phi beta kappa, awesome beachfront location, Eckerd college search and rescue ECSAR service opportunity). Would be #1 IF he was going into Marine Biology etc, not so much prep for career requiring a tie. (Kids barefoot on longboards ..), admin a little fuzzy on answering questions about things like LSAT success.</h1>
<h1>6 St. Leo University. Pretty campus, but out in the sticks 40 miles from anywhere. Best student body diversity. Nice new student center and business building. ? Weak reputation/ academics? (student body president expressed concerns to us about waning quality of accepted students). Many schools have religious affiliations which are imperceptible, St. Leo is VERY Catholic (neither good or bad thing, just is)</h1>
<p>I imagine he will apply to at least the top 4 above.</p>
<p>I would appreciate any feedback It seems much of CC is geared toward Ivy/top tier kids and not mere mortals like mine, and there is a paucity of CC info on the above schools, and much is >5 years old and likely irrelevant.</p>
<p>FYI his reach school is University of Miami. He will be doing the summer scholars program there this summer, so that will be a mega visit as well as a chance to try on college in paradise (? Is it doable) But it is $$$ and I doubt my son could get any merit money from them with his creds ..</p>
<p>I am also insisting he apply at one in-state safety or match school in case of family financial catastrophe, and also one local (less than 6 hours drive) school in case he decides being a zillion miles from home in the heat is not all that it was cracked up to be.</p>