My son is a homeschooled junior from Florida and has his heart set on Macalester. As his practical but supportive mom, I believe this is a reach school (not saying he can’t get in, but it’s a reach) and he needs to apply to some schools that are more “sure-bets”. Right now, his list of colleges that he is eyeing (not neccesarily that he thinks he will be accepted to) is:
Amherst (!!)
Vassar
Colby
Cornell College
Grinnell
Wooster
Knox
Eckerd (i think he can get in here, but he does not want to go to school in Florida).
Here are his stats: He has an unweighted 3.8 GPA and is taking the SATs tomorrow. His current practice tests indicate he will likely get about 1300 but he is working hard and I believe he can pull it up to 1350 in subsquent sittings. He is homeschooled, a top bowler, 2nd degree black belt in TKD, and has travelled to 6 continents (that’s partly why he homeschooled, so he could travel with his father). He volunteers weekly at the Humane Society and has held two jobs (currently works as a camp counselor on weekends). He has taken one AP exam and two AP classes–did poorly on the Calc AB as he tends to do badly under pressure. He has taken and will continue to take college classes at the local community college, and does well there-an A and a B so far.
Finances are an issue–I am recently divorced and earn less than 50,000 and he does not want to take on a lot of debt. He needs a small-ish, liberal and open-minded school that is friendly and nurturing and with intelligent students who are NOT competitive, not a heavy party school, no varsity sports needed (he enjoys just having fun with sports and could do bowling independently). He wants to major (probably) in International Studies and French and desires at least a semester abroad. He prefers a city-based school but is flexible if it is within driving distance of a city.
What other schools should he look at (open to hearing about both more competitive as well as schools that are less competitive).
Sounds like he should have a look at Goucher in suburban Baltimore.
You might also consider American in suburban DC, Lewis & Clark in Portland, and U Puget Sound in Tacoma.
All have merit and understand homeschool pathways to college.
OMg so funny you mentioned Goucher–i have been trying to convince him to look there for months. I would love him to attend there and think it would be a great fit. Thank you. I will look at the other ones as well!!!
Congratulations on your son’s hard work and success!
A couple based on the urban LAC criteria,
Trinity University in San Antonio (not Trinity College in Hartford)–I don’t know it well, but people who visit seem to be very impressed. Academics look strong.
You might also google colleges that meet full financial need. They might not meet it, in the end, and might be need aware, but it’s a good place to be looking. I find St. Olaf on some of these lists. It’s also in MN, and Northfield is a nice town near the Twin Cities, and also home to Carleton College (more competitive in admissions).
Connecticut College is another one. Without looking at the stats, I’d think he’d have a big advantage as a male, since the school has a large % of female students.
New College of Florida has international studies and French majors, a study abroad program, and looks like it needs only FAFSA (custodial parent financial information only) for financial aid.
Pretty much every college discussed except New College will. Is the non-custodial parent willing to fill out the NCP? Can or would they contribute any money for his college?
“New College of Florida has international studies and French majors, a study abroad program, and looks like it needs only FAFSA (custodial parent financial information only) for financial aid.”
We are looking there and he will likely apply. but again, he really does not want to attend school in Florida.
Seconding Dickinson and St Olaf for matches and Goucher for a safety. Adding Kalamazoo for another safety. All are strong in international studies and value students with international experiences.
St Lawrence and St Michael (match, safety) are near the Quebec border and students can easily head there. St Michael’s is in Burlington but St Lawrence is rural.
I wouldn’t focus too much on the “urban” part because once they’re on campus students really spend most of their time there. A good fit is more important, especially wrt valueing international experience and levels of French. Do check that they offer at least 2 advanced seminars/classes per semester.
Instead of Amherst, I’d suggest Middlebury: they’re test flexible, meaning he could take French, English Literature (or another foreign language if he speaks it well), and one quantitative test (math, physics, chemistry).
Bucknell is going to be a big reach, IMO. Macalester will be a reach.
If your son gets 1300 or above, that’s a decent test score. I don’t think he necessarily needs test optional. If merit awards are a big consideration, he needs to apply to colleges where his stats put him in the top 75th percentile, maybe even higher. I like the suggestions of Clark U, Lewis and Clark, and Goucher. Wooster, Knox, Eckerd, Beloit, and Kalamazoo could be good options too. There have been other good suggestions of reach schools where he might get all his financial need met.
I also agree that your son should realize he is probably going to have to compromise. Many kids get hung up on wanting to be in or near an urban location, but the truth is that most kids spend their time on campus. It’s where their bed, friends, and food are. In fact, I suggest checking out how much campus activity there is. Kids who attend colleges in cities tend to spend a lot more money and the campus life is often less cohesive. I’m not saying they don’t enjoy their experience. LACs are often looking for fit, which can mean they are looking for kids who they feel will participate in campus life.
Take a look at Emmanuel College in Boston, Providence College, and University of Scranton, all are matches, Emmanual might be an academic safety. All are right in the cities where they are located, with airports close by.
To be honest, your son may not have choices like Mac given your financial situation. Both parents are expected to fill out financial aid forms at most schools that give good aid. Both parents are expected to contribute financially if they are able. Hopefully your ex is (1) willing to do the paperwork, and (2) either low income & assets so they won’t be expected to contribute or willing to contribute as a college would expect from their income & assets
If this is not the case, you may need an entirely different focus for your search.
Also — remind your son that he can move out of state after college if he wants to.
Final note - check each college website carefully. Sometimes schools have extra requirements for home school applicants, like wanting SAT subject tests.