please chance my son!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, I'm new to the forums here, and very new to the college search process, so any help would be appreciated!
My son is a junior and we have been visiting a few schools in the Midwest to help him get some ideas about what he likes and doesn't. I have been doing a lot of reading trying to find other schools that might be a good fit for him, and wonder what you all think of his chances. Thanks!</p>

<p>GPA: 3.87 uw, 4.8 w
ACT: 35
PSAT 223 (we are in Illinois, and I think he may have a chance to make semi-finalist - we hope)
Class rank: 13/487
He is taking some SAT subject tests in June, and will take the reasoning portion in October.
APs: US Gov't 4, and he is taking US History and Chemistry this week and next. Next year he is planning on taking all APs: French, European History, English, Calculus, Physics and Biology.</p>

<p>He has played soccer for 4 years and won some distinction there.
He has won a number of awards on the Math team and been to State all three years he's been in high school, but he didn't win any prizes at State.</p>

<p>He has been an active tutor for the Math club even for summer school, but nothing special. He plans to run for an office next year.</p>

<p>He is white, upper-middle class, with no exceptional ECs and no hooks. He hasn't even found the cure for cancer yet!</p>

<p>He thinks history, computer science/engineering or biology might be his major.</p>

<p>He loved U of C and Wash U. </p>

<p>So, what might his chances be for:
Grinnell
Wash U.
Macalaster
U of C
Lawrence
Knox
Yale (why not!)
Cornell (his Grandfather is an alumni and does interviews of applicants and wants me to throw away any college mail that isn't from Cornell lol)</p>

<p>Please let us know what you think. Thanks very much.</p>

2

<p>I think your son could have a chance at anyo f these schools, but he is going to have to beef up his EC's because those are very important to colleges now. Test scores are high, but if that is all he has, then his chances are drastically lowered. I had lower test scores but many more EC's and got into duke, davidson.....</p>

3

<p>I'd say he has a solid chance at most of those schools...More ECs would make him more competitive...If he is applying to schools in the North East, such as Cornell and Yale, he may want to take the SAT, as that is generally perferred over the ACT in that region. I wouldn't worry: your son seems extremely intelligent, and I'm sure he will get into some very good schools. Best of luck to him.</p>

4

<p>wassup mamacol.</p>

<p>I think he's looking pretty good. Outstanding test scores, potential NMF, high GPA for a demanding courseload. Granted, the EC's are not exceptional, but then again they do reflect a lot of dedication (multiple years in athletics and state competions do look good), and it definitely doesn't look like a laundry list. The fact that he's going for a leadership position next year can only help him more. Hopefully he gets captaincy as a senior in his soccer team as well. </p>

<p>I'd say good chances for all of them except the ivies (which is a reach for almost everyone anyway) and chicago. I do know someone with the same stats and nmf, same high test scores, same level of ec's, great recs that made it as far as the chicago waitlist. Then again, I don't know how good his essays were, and that seems to be also a major factor in u of c applications. This was a really competitive year though. </p>

<p>Oh, and since you were looking at Macalester, maybe you should look into Carleton too? </p>

<p>I beg to respectfully disagree with AceClark. Submitting the ACT over the SAT should not put you in a disadvantageous situation, even if the school is in the northeast. Check out CC threads/posts from tokenadult about that subject. However, some of those schools would still requires the SAT2's. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

5

<p>I really appreciate the feedback - thank you all so much.
I'll definitely set up a visit with Carleton when we are in the Minneapolis area.</p>

<p>After reading the thread about scholarships that have been earned I think we may have to look more closely at Brandeis, USC, Tulane and Seton Hall. I'd love to find a school where he has a chance at a great merit aid package.</p>

<p>Anyone have ideas on schools that might fit the bill? Thanks again.</p>

6

<p>yeah, good idea. Carleton is less than an hour away driving. </p>

<p>when you visit U of C, you should drop by Northwestern too in Evanston, which is near enough. </p>

<p>And when you visit NY, then you should take a look at Fordham in the Bronx. (merit aid for NMs with good academic records)</p>

7

<p>I love Northwestern, but my S's friend last year got a 36 ACT and NU gave him no money (or maybe $1000). I just think NU is too expensive, but I wish my S could go there - my Mom and sister are alumns and I always loved visiting that campus.</p>

<p>S likes the look of Columbia, so that might make an east coast trip make sense. What is Fordham known for - besides merit money :)?</p>

8

<p>I agree. NU is expensive. It's gonna be the same with U of C though, even with NMF. Macalester, I think at least, gives you 5K as an NMF. </p>

<p>Fordham? Mid-sized Jesuit-run private school in the Bronx. I've seen it mentioned in some high-profile publications (Newsweek, Businessweek), There's a couple of them articles in links below. Some schools you don't really know until you see them mentioned somewhere and you take a deeper look. It's been moving up in the rankings, internships/recruitment/network is a plus. The college of business administration has been rising in the rankings as well. Many posters here in CC attest to the beautiful campus over there in Rose Hill. And New York is such an exciting city. </p>

<p>And best of all, Denzel Washington is an alum ;)</p>

<p>25</a> Hottest Universities | Newsweek Kaplan College Guide | Newsweek.com</p>

<p>Playbook:</a> Does Your School Make The Grade?</p>