Hi. I asked this same question a few weeks ago , but I wanted to see if there are possibly more responses . My son has applied early decision to a school , but I know he needs to send out applications to others and we need some safeties . His gpa ( unweighted ) is a 3.9, weighted 4.5 . Ranked 26/378. Ib and Ap classes . Only received 2 b’s and all east a’s freshman to junior year . Sat 1200, act 26( lower scores ), involved in various activities ( NHs; beta club, National Spanish Honor Society , deca , key club ). Interested in international relations. He wants to be in a big urban area . Size not so much an issue . Thanks !
Whatever your local state school is may be a good bet!
What is already on his list? It is really best to find safeties first (not last), as finding ones your kid genuinely likes and is willing to attend can be challenging. Also, what is your financial situation?
@user1555 . We are in Virginia and have some good options here. Unfortunately , he doesn’t want to stay in Virginia. , so places like Jmu or George mason seem to be out . Need mid to large urban areas .
Financial constraints?
Fordham, but it may be less of a safety and more of a match based on standardized testing scores
@intparent . So he has applied early decision to American University. Think he has a good chance but of course , you never know . BU ( reach ), GW( slight reach ), UVM( match), and possibly UPitt( match to low reach ) . Would love any other suggestions.
Have you explored the SUNY’s?
@intparent . No, we have not looked at any of them . I was not sure of any being in mid to large urban area . Are there any ? Thanks.
@user1555 yes , Fordham has been mentioned and has been a thought but agree , more of a match than safety . Thanks !
GW without submitting test scores seems like it could fit the bill
@wisteria100 yes, that is a good idea . I wonder if there is a certain percentage of students that they accept from test optional . That even though it helps his chances but not as many get accepted . May try to investigate. Thanks
https://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg02_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=475 indicates that American sees GPA as “very important” but standardized tests as “considered”, so that works in his favor as a GPA-heavy applicant. It also sees “level of applicant’s interest” as “very important”, but applying ED should take care of that.
Of course, he still needs a safety. Are there financial constraints? What in particular does he want in a location that he cannot get in Virginia?
@ucbalumnus . Thanks for your response . Yes, I think he has a great shot at American ( great gpa , hard classes, shown lots of interest , etc…) but we need that safety . I think he just wants to get out of Virginia , to start fresh: think he would rather be at a school where none of his classmates go. He also wants a decent size city ; VCU would be a safety but way too close to home and it’s Virginia . Wish there was a decent safety in Boston , but either it’s a Reach or ornthe schools arent really that great ( Suffolk , umass Boston ) . We are really struggling to find one .
Howard is in DC like American, is not that selective (but does consider “level of applicant’s interest”), and has an international relations option in its political science department.
http://coas.howard.edu/politicalscience/undergraduate_program.pdf
https://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg02_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=1024
Loyola (Chicago)? Syracuse?
@ucbalumnus . Will check out Howard . Thanks
@Genevieve18 . Thanks . Thought about Syracuse . Will look into Loyola .
Ursinus College and St. Joseph’s U in Philly suburbs, LaSalle U and Temple U in Philly, all might be worth a look.
Great idea.