I’m looking some advice for college and major choice for my son. He is already accepted into an average business school (public). However, his early decision for a top tier private school got rejected. He is really disappointed.
He is evaluating what he can do now given that he can still apply more next 10 days. He has very strong grades with lots of AP classes related to Math. SAT 1540 out of 1600. Math subject SAT 800 out 800. His GPA is above 5.3 (because of AP classes). Because the high school is very competitive, his ranking is 6.2% (actually the school only ranks up to 6% and he is not ranked).
He is thinking of applying for Math (his strength) related major (which may be less competitive?) as stepping stone to get to a top tier college. Once he gets in, he can do double major.
Majors to avoid (too competitive): Business, Computer Science/engineering
Majors to choose (less competitive?) : Statistics, Math, Actuary
Any thoughts? Are Statistics, Math and Actuary really less competitive? What are other majors that are Math related? What are the names of the universities you may recommend he try?
Most of the elites don’t admit by major unless he was gunning for Wharton.
If your son truly wants business that’s the major he should apply to. It’s often difficult to transfer to popular programs if a school admits directly.
This would depend on the school. Some universities have separate colleges where each major/program would have it’s own set of supplemental essay questions and team to evaluate them. Competitive liberal arts schools just lump all the majors together with everyone else. Where is he applying?
My thought is that the major he applies to is not going to be the biggest difference maker. His academics looks stellar and typically we want to play to the student’s strengths when it comes to selecting major. Statistics, math, CS (if he has a strong CS background and/or projects), etc seems to be a good fit for him.
Honestly, if you’re asking what you can do in the next 10 days, it’s probably the essays. His numbers are only one part of the story and especially for the competitive institutions, they’ll care about how he presents himself in terms of the personal statement and supplemental essays. What did he choose to write about? How compelling and confident do you feel in them?
We recently published an article that scrapes through the recent Harvard trial. According to the docs they presented in court, there are 4 categories Harvard (and presumably other schools) evaluate students: academics, athletics, extracurricular, and personal.
Out of those 4 things, it’s a bit difficult to change anything from 3 of those in the next 10 days. This leaves the personal component as something that you might have room to communicate in a more compelling way.
We know that students mostly apply to places where they’re academically in the ballpark. That means that, at any school, you’re competing against applicants whose grades and test scores are pretty similar to yours. This opens up essays, in particular, as the place to distinguish yourself.
Just to be clear…he has only applied to two schools so far? What school is he accepted to?
I agree if he wants business he should apply to that major (where applying to a major is required).
What is his budget? What state do you live in?
What does he want in a college besides major(s)…size, geography, setting, etc.?
Without knowing these parameters, providing suggestions is difficult. Here are a few for starters, of all different shapes, sizes, and selectivity levels: U Richmond, Wake Forest, Bucknell, Lehigh, Villanova, Miami Ohio, U Dayton, Tulane, WashU. Agree with IU Kelley suggestion.
Would he consider LACs?
I would also encourage him to consider applying EDII somewhere, especially if you are not applying for FA.