<p>My stepson is in the process of putting together a college search, and he is a great kid... however, he isn't really a "great" applicant. He has had a disjointed high school career (several schools) and his GPA is around a 2.5- he has gone to a difficult catholic school most of the time, so that has not helped. His grades are definitely improving since he moved up with us so Jr/Sr should be better. His SATs look to be between 1100-1200 (for verbal and math based on PSATs)- with writing over 600. So we are looking for a list of "less competitive" schools, which might work for him. </p>
<p>I know there are some great ones out there... he's from TN, and is fairly flexible geographically (he'd like to be near skiing if possible, but not totally required). I could see him at a smaller school if possible. He likes communications, and I think has come a long way. Do any of these schools look at kids holistically, or is it all scores/grades? He would interview very well if given a chance.</p>
<p>I went through this a year ago with my son (now at an Ivy), but I realized that it is a lot easier to do a college search for a top school then a lot less is written on the less competitive schools so I'd love to hear any thoughts.</p>
<p>I'd love to hear any of your suggestions...</p>
<p>If you haven't already, take a look at the Colleges</a> That Change Lives. It's not the be-all and end-all, but it might be a good place to start.</p>
<p>^^ Agree with Chedva on Loren Pope's Colleges that Change Lives.</p>
<p>Specifically, I'd check out:</p>
<p>Ripon College (WI)
Monmouth College (IL)
Illinois College (IL)
Illinois Wesleyan (IL)
Aurora University (IL)
Wittenberg College (OH)
Coe College (IA)
Cornell College (IA)
Albion College (MI)
Alma College (MI)
Hanover College (IN)
Washington College (MD)
McDaniel College (MD)
Birmingham Southern (AL)
Wofford College (SC)
Millsaps College (TN)
Austin College (TX)
Southwestern University (TX)
University of Puget Sound (WA)
University of the Redlands (CA)
University of the Pacific (CA)
Warren Wilson College (NC)
Emory and Henry College (VA)</p>
<p>In my experience with the same type of kid, the grades will hold him back more than the SAT's. Look at Lynchburg or Bridgewater in VA, Shepherd University in WV, York College of Pennsylvania, Albright in Penna, Mount St Mary's in Md. (the only Catholic one on my list, and 10 minutes from a ski slope) If he's improving, or his school has a good placement record/reputation I may be low-balling--others may still want the 3.0. Don't know if there are similar schools closer to TN.</p>
<p>A lot of the schools mentioned are members of the Annapolis Group, a consortium of liberal arts schools. Some of the member schools are super-elite, others are not:</p>
<p>Muhlenberg College might be a good reach school. It's a good choice for students who want a nurturing environment. Welcome</a> to Muhlenberg College!</p>
<p>The University of Denver has required interviews for the purpose of really learning about the applicant and not missing any "diamonds in the rough". Communications is one of their strongest programs.</p>
<p>Thanks for your suggestions... I've started looking at a number of these, and it's a great place to start... I'm sure there will be a match for him, it's just a little harder to figure out.</p>
<p>BalletGirl -- Illinois Wesleyan has become much more competitive and has much higher average GPAs and ACT scores than the other schools on your list.</p>
<p>Communications and Skiing: Try some of the Wisconsin state schools skip Madison (very selective) but the outlying state colleges offer good education for kids with 2.5. Look at Kalamazoo Michigan. Two colleges one a LAC and one a state college. Not far from some great skiing. These are safeties.
For a college that will take a individual holistic approach and respect the potential in your nephew look at Marlboro College in VT. A micro college. Does not have communications but it is a writing across the disciplines type school.</p>
<p>These are all great schools including Illinois Wesleyan. IWU's selectivity is on par with several of the school listed including University of Puget Sound, Coe College, Cornell College, Austin College, Wofford College and Southwestern University. </p>
<p>If the OP's stepson pulls his GPA up north of 3.0 and gets 1800+ on his SATs, he'll have a decent chance of gaining admission to many of these schools, including IWU. IWU accepts over 1 out every 2 applicants. </p>
<p>The mid-50% range at IWU for the following scores are:</p>
<p>St. Michael's is very much within his reach, especially if he gets his GPA in the 3.0 range. St. Michael's accepts 3 out of every 4 applicants. With a 1200+ SAT score he would be above 75% of St. Michael's students. </p>
<p>For St Mikes - Not quite 3 our of every 4 accepted - but.......... The SAT's would still have to come up to ofset the GPA situation for the OP's guy - it will depend on the OP guys ability to get the GPA up to at the very least 3.0</p>
<p>CLASS OF 2011</p>
<p>Applications
Applied: 3,504
Accepted: 2,423
Enrolled Students Fall 2007: 532</p>
<p>Secondary School Class Rank
Top 10%: 26%
Top 20%: 47%
Top 25%: 57%
Top 50%: 90%
Unranked: 27%</p>
<p>CLIGEMOM - another school that is small lac type - has communications - is in a beautiful area - have heard wonderful things about - not that far from TN and close to skiing - personal touches as well is ....... Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, NC - Lees-McRae</a> College: Banner Elk, North Carolina USA</p>
<p>I do know of someone who had unique circumstances and this school was very nice to work with - incredibly supportive/applicant friendly - they were able to write a letter/essay explaining things and they were very happy with how the whole process went. Seems that it may fit your 'holistic' idea in ways :)</p>
<p>There are a lot of great suggestions here... his GPA has made a radical improvement since he's moved up with us... but it may be a little too little too late, but I figured a smaller admissions department might take a moment to consider his story (a change of school scenery- he's already doing much better)... but sometimes those Freshman/Soph grades can continue to haunt you. </p>
<p>In any event this is wonderful, I've already been busy looking at school websites and I am hoping we can give him a list that he can sift through before we start looking at them this spring.</p>
<p>I agree that if he does what I think he can on the SATs that will help... many schools are willing to give you at least a look with decent scores, and improving grades.</p>
<p>I agree that Western New England College is one to look into, but I don't think that the immediate area is nice. I don't know about communications, but if you are looking in Vermont you might also look into Champlain College too. I don't know how close skiiing is, but is the University of Hartford (probably not a great area either), or Sacred Heart in CT a possibility? If he is interested in NY state there are options: off the top of my head there are SUNY schools, Hartwick, LeMoyne, Siena, and maybe Marist (reach school), and Canisius. I don't know how far skiing is, but it can't be too far away. Oh, in RI, Roger Williams would be good to look at. As far as communications, you'd have to check out the individual programs.</p>