I’ll start a general one in hopes they will move it 
@oldbrookie, @MomStudent2017, @Bkbabe
2017 thread started, hopefully with some traction it will get moved
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1871275-parents-of-the-hs-class-of-2017-3-0-to-3-4-gpa.html#latest
I did expand it to 3.4 as that’s the b-b+ range.
D has decided. It’s Ball State.
We made an informal visit to their campus Sunday and Monday, and she had me cancel the visit scheduled for Ohio, her other choice which has been a close 2nd.
We walked through two classroom buildings she would have most of her classes in, talked to a few students, and a professor; ate in a dining hall and in one of the food courts at the Student Union; walked ALL OVER the campus, drove all over Muncie, and visited the on-campus art museum (which was more impressive than I’d thought it would be.)
Both days were beautiful and sunny, but chilly, so that may have helped, but Ball has been her top choice for a while now.
She made it official by buying a sweatshirt before we headed back home.
Now to cancel her other apps, and sign up for Housing.
Yay, BeeDAre! So happy that she has made a decision! (A little sad that it’s not OU…but if I couldn’t convince my own kiddo to be a bobcat…) <:-P <:-P <:-P
Thanks, @labegg! While Muncie may not be Athens, at least it is half the distance from our home! (And after exploring Muncie a little more this trip, the downtown area actually has a lot going on…)
Well our D has always said her 1st choice was OU and today made it official. She’ll be studying Dance (BA) and Exercise Physiology.
@lvvcsf; Yay, Yay, Yay… a newly minted Bobcat! So happy for your D!
Just so yall know, I tear up a bit every time one of the kids from this thread commits.
I have been reading this thread with interest. I would love to know where your 3.0-3.3 students with high test scores were admitted. Naviance and the other tools don’t seem to be much help for the outliers. S17 is a junior, currently has a 3.2 GPA, 34 ACT, and 221 (1460/1520) PSAT. A couple of honors courses. No APs (but plans on 2 next year). Upward trend each year. Good but not great ECs. Homework/busy work in the past just didn’t get done, and video gaming didn’t help (though he seems to have gotten that somewhat under control this year). He is leaning towards engineering. Would appreciate any input based on your experience.
@Hankster1361, our son had almost identical stats except for having more AP classes (also a downward trend Sophomore and Junior year. Depending on the state you live in he could be a NMSF. University Mississippi would be an automatic full tuition scholarship with his present numbers. Our son visited and liked it even though he’s a liberal kid from the DC area. He settled on Temple, where he got a little over half tuition (total cost will probably be around 25K).
@Hankster1361 My son had the same PSAT score, slightly higher SAT, more APs, but even lower GPA. He was accepted to Tulane (the surprise!), Drexel, UMD (we are in state), UMass, UCSC, UMBC, Eckerd. He got merit $$ from all but Tulane & UMD. Some of these schools have engineering and might be good options for you. Drexel is not super hard to get into, has a respectable program, but is very expensive.
I know what you mean about outliers being hard to predict!
@Hankster1361, our friends’ 2016 son, with a lower GPA than your son’s but the same ACT (I understand his grades are all As and Ds), was accepted and is going to Missouri Institute of Science and Technology. Our S13’s dear friend, with high grades but lower scores, is there now. Evidently, they have very fine engineering programs. S13’s friend loves it, and I’ve been impressed by the reports from his parents.
Thank you crowlady. Sorry for the late response–I’ve been away from this thread for a while! This is very helpful. We’ll look into some of these schools. Drexel and UCSC are already on the radar.
@EastGrad, will look into Missouri Institute of Science and Technology. Thanks!
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Is there a Class of 2018 thread along these lines? Or is it time to start one?
@bjkmom … I don’t know if a 2018 thread exists, but there is a 2017 thread. Take a look @ the “outcomes” page.
I found it, thanks! http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/20683874#Comment_20683874
Just a gentle nudge of advice from a mom and SAT prep teacher:
The Common App essay prompts have been out for ages. This summer is the time for Juniors to get those essays written!!! There’s no good reason to wait until school is back in session–with tests and quizzes and papers and projects, not to mention all those extra curricular activities. Remind your kids to get their essays written-- and their applications ready to go-- before Labor Day.
Oops, sorry. Wrong thread 