<p>W&M does not require demonstrated interest.</p>
<p>Apply EA to Case Western. This year, there was no fee, no essay, tons of merit money. Plenty of intellectual peers for a kid like this. Great back-up to have by mid-December.</p>
<p>Am I missing something? What major or field of interest?</p>
<p>Dickinson and/or Gettysburg come to mind. It’s tough to call them safeties with a 40% acceptance rate, but with his stats, and the fact that he’s male, would make either “likely” IMO.</p>
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<p>Yeah, maybe.
However … if the OP’s friend has truly “weak” ECs, I can imagine him being shut out of some of the NESCAC schools. These days, it’s hard to say. He definitely needs back-up.</p>
<p>If you doubt the CTCLs are rigorous enough, look at your in-state public universities. Their larger size (and graduate programs) will increase the odds of finding challenging courses. For match schools, check out LACs in the US News 20-50 range or so. Unless this kid is very advanced in pure math or some of the hard sciences, I don’t think there is much doubt he can be challenged at schools like Bates, Colorado College, Kenyon, Macalester, Oberlin, Whitman, etc. Schools in this range should be very likely for his stats (but still not 100% guaranteed.) </p>
<p>I don’t think this kid has an intended major; he’s looking for liberal arts, not tech. </p>
<p>Might look at Holy Cross-top25 LAC with very nice campus 1 hour from Boston. HC has one of the better aalumni networks for help in job placement and its alumno do very well. Holy Cross also meets 100% demonstrated financial aid.</p>
<p>Since the student in question is full pay that’s not much of a draw. I agree with Keyon, Oberlin, Mac. Carleton is still a reach (DD2 had a similar resume and was waitlisted).</p>
<p>Note that American U totally revamped their Honors program this year. It’s now a very small program and requires 5 additional essays to apply.</p>
<p>This thread has a lot of good info.</p>
<p><a href=“Ivy-caliber Safeties (and Matches): Condensed Advice - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/881237-ivy-caliber-safeties-and-matches-condensed-advice.html</a></p>
<p>How about Bard?</p>
<p>Skidmore, Connecticut College are both about 40% male which indicates that males would get preference. I will echo the others: demonstrate interest! Visit, interview, write a knowledgeable “Why X?” essay.</p>
<p>It’s not too late to work on those weak ECs. The summer before senior year is a great time to hone and enhance interests.</p>