<p>My son is beginning to look at schools. He is a junior.</p>
<p>He has a 3.95 unweighted gpa. School does not weight AP classes.
36 ACT -- 10th grade.
236 PSAT--this fall
800 SAT math - 10th grade
SATs will take this spring.</p>
<p>School doesn't rank. Large competitive high school. Class of 600+
4 AP classes this year.
5 AP classes next year likely. </p>
<p>Two sport varsity athlete.
Musician
volunteer/religious activities.</p>
<p>Interested in math/science, but also history.</p>
<p>He is interested in:</p>
<p>Stanford
MIT</p>
<p>Want him to aim high, but I'm also realistic about difficulties for admission to these schools and recognize how many great schools out there.</p>
<p>But I hope he also considers smaller schools with significant merit aid:</p>
<p>From this site, I understand Rice, U Chicago might be possibilities. </p>
<p>His stats are just about perfect - there's no reason to cross any school off the list. Bear in mind that schools give merit aid to applicants that are more qualified than they could otherwise hope to attract. If you get a big merit scholarship, you're going there to inspire your peers - not to be inspired by them. Be aware that if your family income is < $180K a year, some of the Ivies - particularly Harvard and Yale - will be exceedingly generous on need-based aid.</p>
<p>You may find it helpful to get a copy of his school's profile from his counselor (the one they will be submitting to colleges this fall). Our local high school also doesn't rank...but lists the GPA equivalent to each decile on the profile (3.98 to 4.0, top 10%, etc.).</p>
<p>postman, I'm sure your son will be a person of interest to many schools. I'd suggest that he take a look at Williams, a small LAC with extraordinary academics, which favors the combination of intellect, sports and arts, especially music. Although the college, like most eastcoast schools leans left, students with a more conservative political or cultural bent are welcome.</p>
<p>Williams does not, however, offer merit aid. For that I'd suggest that you look at some of the excellent mid-western LACs, like Carlton, Macalester, Kenyon, Grinnell.</p>
<p>2009/2010 is going to be a watershed year for aid with so many families undergoing an economic seachange. I don't think anyone really knows what it means for either need based or merit based aid, except that it's going to be different. In my opinion, those who can afford to pay will get preference even at schools that purport to be needblind and merit aid at top schools will be fiercely competitive.</p>
<p>I agree with you that 09/01 will be a watershed year, and no one knows how bad it will be for many private schools. We can afford to pay full ticket at any school, and I have told my D not to be stingy with applications. Many kids who apply and get accepted to their first choice may not be able to attend. I never wanted my child's happiness to come at anyone expense, but this year is going to be like no other. Come May 1, the rubber will hit the road.</p>