<p>My junior S is not sure what he wants to "do" or "be", he just knows what he wants to learn. Math, Physics, maybe engineering if it leaves him enough time to "explore". He is also a competent classical violinist. Grades are 3.8 weighted, over 4.0 weighted. AP scores so far Calc AB 5, World Hist 3. Taking AP Lit, AP Calc BC, AP US History now. Loves his history class and lit class also, he's an overall learner who never seems to need to study. Science instruction at his school is very weak, but took honors Bio and Chem. PSAT was Crit Reading 68, Math 80 (yes, 100%), and Writing 65, selection index 213, 99th percentile overall. Maybe NMS potential???? Physics not offered at HS, plans to take physics with calculus at Comm College next yr. Science fairs, including several regional first place awards, but nothing ISEF (we live in a small rural town in AZ so not that easy). Always making or researching something on his own in the garage for fun, not for any particular purpose (hovercraft, tesla coil, homemade electrolysis thingie - perseveres until they work - probably learned more physics doing all this than he would in a HS class anyway). ECs include Eagle Scout, Tennis, Many orchestras/string quartets. So, with all that as background, here's the dilemma. He decided to apply to CalTech, Harvey Mudd and Olin just because they sound fun. Fallback is Arizona State University/Univ of Arizona. I think his odds of CT or HM may be low, I have no idea, but I don't want him to just default to the massive public university even tho he'd probably get full-ride as in-state. Should he also consider a small LAC or two? Something else "in between"? I can't afford to fly him all around the country to look. Any other ideas or considerations?? How the heck do you do this???? Sorry for the long post, but I'm at my wits end.</p>
<p>Olin is tough to get into, too, not just Mudd and Caltech. Olin is NOT a good choice if he wants to explore; they only offer Engineering majors, not even Physics or Math (unless you cross-reg, which is a PITA) However, if he’s ready to commit to Engg, I know he’ll love the hands-on approach there. I have a friend at Olin, she loves it. </p>
<p>Re: Music, I have heard that Caltech has a decent music program, since all those Asians are good at music, the requisite Azn EC 
Btw, if Caltech, why not MIT? MIT’s Humanities program is awesome-r than Caltech’s.</p>
<p>LACs sound like a good choice for him, especially those in the NorthEast as he’s male and from an underrepresented state. </p>
<ul>
<li>Swarthmore/Haverford (NE) : quirky intellectual and diverse</li>
<li>Reed (NW): quirky intellectual and academic-intensive</li>
<li>UChicago (MW) : not a LAC, but still academic-intensive, and upside–there’s definitely opportunities to explore outside of science</li>
</ul>
<p>“He decided to apply to CalTech, Harvey Mudd and Olin just because they sound fun.”</p>
<p>MathMom, not many people would use the word “fun” to describe those three schools. Intense and grueling? Definitely Academically rewarding? Perhaps. Fun? Unless one answers to the name “De Sade”, probably not. </p>
<p>At any rate, I don’t think those colleges are good for “exploration”, either academically, musically or socially. </p>
<p>Schools he may want to check out, among others:</p>
<p>Cornell University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Northwestern University
Princeton University
Rice University
Stanford University
University of California-Berkeley
University of Chicago
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor</p>
<p>Thanks for your responses!! I don’t want him to feel pushed into engineering just because everyone says he’ll be good at it, so I appreciate the support on that. I’m a little selfish because I’d like him to be within a day’s drive, but I can set that aside and explore the idea of an east coast LAC. I’m afraid of culture shock for him - a western small town boy suddenly surrounded by easterners! That’s what leads to personal growth, though, isn’t it. Also appreciate the list of larger universities.</p>
<p>MM123, Your son will have some great choices. If LACs stay on his radar, I’d suggest that he take a look at Williams. Excellent academics across the board. Very strong science and math. Excellent music performance opportunies, even for non-majors. And, by my informal survey, an unusually high percentage of Eagle Scouts. Smart, friendly, talented, multi-faceted kids. Nature-oriented environment with a surprising focus on the arts.</p>