Son needs more schools, I think..

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello All,
I'm afraid I'm more concerned about all this than my son is. His school would like a list of 6 colleges, but he can't seem to come up with it.</p>

<p>S has applied to two schools so far and has one other application in progress. He really has no idea where else he would like to apply that is both realistic and meets his criteria and parents' criteria. He has also changed his mind about pursuing an engineering career. He is still considering science, but may prefer political science, economics or business. He also does very well in computer graphics. We live in WV, but lived in Santa Fe, NM, for most of S' childhood. He wants a cosmopolitan environment for college.</p>

<p>This is where he is applying so far...</p>

<p>College of Charleston (SC) - EA, plus separate application for Honors College.</p>

<p>University of Pittsburgh - Completed, rolling admissions, I think.</p>

<p>WVU - In progress, should go in this week, or next. This should be a safety as S is a WV resident. He already qualifies for WV Promise Scholarsip, so, of course, S wants to go out of state. S will not consider Marshall or other WV colleges.</p>

<p>Stats for S are as follows:
Independent High School - first graduating class of an accredited private school started three years ago. Transferred at beginning of 10th from public school. Current school is associated with the local university and S has taken five classes there, so far. </p>

<p>3.91/4.0 unweighted (93-100=A, 85-92=B, etc.) or about 95/100.
Lots of science classes, including electives in anatomy, physiology and excersize physiology.
High Honor roll every year. National Junior Honor Society in pulbic school, but current school does not have Honor Society yet.
No rank, because class only 13 has students. School has 50 students.</p>

<p>SAT 590V/650M or 500V/590M/650W (Waiting on November scores.)
ACT Composite 23, 22, 24 (S has always been terrible at timed tests.)
No SAT IIs
Probably taking AP calculus exam in spring.
AP English (9th grade)
Because current school is new, no formal APs, but five college courses.</p>

<p>Varsity Soccer (3 years), All-State for AA/A teams 2005
Soccer team finished 28 of 60+ teams in WV with mixed ranking of AAA and AA. Not bad for the smallest school in the state
Vasity Tennis (3 years)
Student Government President (3 years)
Pep Club (3 years)
Drama Club (3 years)
Art Club (3 years)
Yearbook (2 years) Business Manager (1 year)
Lots of community service, mostly through school.</p>

<p>Summer Activities
West Virginia Weslyan Summer Gifted Program (3 years)
National Student Leadership Conference - U.S. Policy and Ploitics (2005), American University
Penn State Tennis Camp (2004)</p>

<p>Employment
S has been employed by local ski resort since he was 14 to teach snowboarding. When not teaching, he has worked with Ski-Wee, rentals, ski lift and in tube park. (8-16 hours/week for 3 months) He is in the process of completing the 100-hour course for Outdoor Emergency Care certification for National Ski Patrol.</p>

<p>Since Aug. has been working in Conference Set-up and Banquet Service about 8-16 hours/week.</p>

<p>So, my question is, are these three schools right for S? He's bright, but test scores obviously hurt him. Having attended a new school may hurt, too. He wants a college between 5,000 and 15,000 students and thinks he prefers an urban environment. </p>

<p>Mom and Dad would like to stay below $25k, since we will not qualify for need-based aid. Also, we'd like S to be within an 8-hour drive to Southern WV.</p>

<p>I believe College of Charleston should be a match, but what if S doesn't get in? Also, I'm guessing he won't be accepted to the Honors Program, because of test scores. Also, S hasn't been to CofC yet, but we have visited Charleston and S loved it. There is still a chance he is accepted and doesn't like it when we visit in early December.</p>

<p>Other colleges that have been discussed and not eliminated yet:
Virginia Tech- visited, S is not excited about it because not urban.
American- S liked it when he attended this summer, but it is expensive.
Penn State- legacy, but S did not like it when he went there for tennis camp for much for same reason as VT.
UNC Wilmington
UNC Asheville - S thinks may be too small.
Loyola (MD), GWU - both expensive
Saint Joseph's (Phila) expensive, but they keep sending letters about merit scholarships
Villanova</p>

<p>None of these schools, except UNC Asheville allow him to continue with snowboarding. He says that's o.k. and then took on this challenge to make National Ski Patrol this year.</p>

<p>Will anyone comment on these schools, or suggest others we may be missing?</p>

<p>By the way, I don't think Princeton Review is much help. All S' matches seem like reaches and safeties seem like matches. What's that about?</p>

<p>Help!</p>

2

<p>Peaceroses - You have certainly done a fine job of researching various universities and colleges. In particular, University of Pittsburgh seems to be a very good choice of an urban school with considerable offerings in the fields he may like to pursue. I think Pitt's location in the cultural section of Pittsburgh, Oakland, is a plus (I went to Carnegie-Mellon as a freshman). As for other potential universities, St. Joseph's University in Philly may indeed be worth a look, especially if they are discussing merit dollars. St. Joe's is on the edge of Philly in a comparatively safe part of town and is well known for its business programs (I grew up outside Philly). Another school with a more urban edge is Drexel University in Philly right next to the University of Pennsylvania. Though better known for its engineering programs, it is also strong in business and has an excellent set of co-op programs to offer its students. </p>

<p>Perhaps a bit more of a reach (both for the purse and potential admissions) but maybe worth a look is Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. It is strong in all areas your son is interested in. Several other Pennsylvania schools in smaller cities that could be of interest (but again not commenting on the possible dollars) are Lafayette College, Muhlenberg, and Lehigh University. As for possible merit dollars (but smaller schools than your son has expressed interest in) a couple excellent liberal arts colleges are Goucher College outside Baltimore and Drew University in suburban New York. Another school that I have personally not seen but is well known for strong co-op programs (like Drexel) is the University of Cincinnati which also has a very large endowment (possible merit $?). Overall, you have certainly done your homework and come up with some excellent alternatives already. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>University of Rochester and Syracuse U are strong in the areas you mentioned and they are in the snow belt along the southern shore of Lake Ontario. Your son's stats are competitive at these schools, especially Syracuse. Syracuse has a snowboarding club. They are located in medium sized cities.</p>

<p>Penn State might be worth another look.
U Maryland College Park
Boston U
Clark U
Villanova sounds like a good option.
Northeastern
Boston College has an active ski team.</p>

<p>U of Vermont is good for skiing. Burlington is a great small city.
U Mass Amherst has a snowboarding club
Ohio U has a snowboarding club
Bucknell.
NC State has snowboarding</p>

4

<p>not urban but only about an hour away from a city.. ohio u is amazing and its close to wv</p>

5

<p>What about App. State? It's fairly strong in most areas, and Boone is an awesome college town (with Blowing Rock nearby for snow sports). App is well-known (in-state, at least) for churning out business leaders, teachers, musicians, scientists, etc. I've heard great things about their Honors program from friends in it.</p>

6

<p>Thank you, everybody. Philadelphia is attractive to Mom and Dad as we are originally from Abington and Aston, PA. We have family in the area. Had friends at Villanova, St. Joe's, and Drexel, but have never visited any of those campuses. I graduated from Temple, but unless things have changed, would be looking for a safer campus for S. Maybe we will look at a few Philly campuses while visiting at Christmas.</p>

<p>S is insisting he prefers to go south. Says he doesn't want to select school based on sports. We have never pushed sports on him. He has just always wanted to be involved, so that's fine with us, if that is not a priority. Don't know why he's putting all the effort into Ski Patrol, though, if he wants to live in a warmer climate.</p>

<p>Does anyone know anything about UNC Asheville? I was talking to an artist last night who recently returned to WV after living in Asheville for a few years. He said Asheville is the "Paris of the South." I've spent time there, but have not visited UNC campus.</p>

<p>What about UNC Wilmington? Anyone know that school?</p>

7

<p>I have friends at both! UNC-Asheville is the smallest NC public school (I think). It tends to be liberal arts-oriented, and has the reputation for being somewhat artsy-fartsy. Its music and art programs are particularly strong, but many of its other programs are also good. Its honors program is selective but well worth it if you can get in. UNC-A has an interlibrary loan system with App and Western Carolina (:)) that gives you a wide range of resources. Asheville as a town is great. It's very pedestrian friendly, and the scenery is beautiful. There's plenty to do career-wise in Asheville, at least from what I've heard.</p>

<p>I'm not as familiar with UNC-W. Its marine biology program is what it's best known for, so I'm not sure about other majors, although I do know that its pre-law placement rates are fairly high. I also know from friends that it's somewhat of a party school, and it tends to be very popular with girls. Wilmington's a great town, though, and the NC coast is a great place to be for college.</p>

8

<p>Thanks, again. Talking to S, he seems to have his mind made up about CofC. Anyone have a thought about his chances of being accepted EA? S has always been the kind of kid to make his mind up about something and then never waiver. Some may call it "stubborn," some "purposeful." So anyone have an idea of his chances for EA at CofC?</p>

<p>If he is turned down EA by mid-December, there's still time to regroup and come up with Plan B, isn't there?</p>

9

<p>Peaceroses-
My daughter is a freshman at CofC, applied EA last year and heard back around Thanksgiving that she was in. Her GPA was about 3.28, lower than your son's, SATs were about the same. At that point she was undecided where to go, but after going back to all schools for music auditions in late winter decided that CofC was for her. She LOVES it there, we just visited 2 weeks ago and she is very happy. We are from outside of Philadelphia, so it's a long drive, and she's flying home for Thanksgiving.</p>

<p>On a secondary note, my son (currently a senior at US Merchant Marine Academy) had roughly the same stats and easily got into Va Tech and Penn State, although they were secondary choices after 2 US Service Academies (USMMA and USNA, got into USMMA as an alternate in May after accepting Va Tech's offer earlier).</p>

<p>I think your son will easily get into CofC, maybe especially because he's a guy since it's 70% girls (kind of a situation reversal!). There's a lot to be said for the city of Charleston, it's a place we love to visit and beaches are close! Good luck to him!</p>

10

<p>Just to update everyone, S found out yesterday that he has been accepted to College of Charleston. Hooray! Unless he doesn't like it when we visit in a few weeks, he won't be needing more schools.</p>

<p>Thanks, everyone!</p>

11

<p>Congratulations.....to you and your son. I hope your visit goes wll and that your search has ended.</p>

12

<p>Congratulations on his acceptance to a great school!!! Take a deep breath and celebrate!</p>

13

<p>congratulations, I've applied EA to C of C as well, waiting on a decision. Did your son get any scholarship? Also, to ease a worried applicant, was it a big envelope or thing envelope he received with the acceptance. I know how bizarre this sounds, but it will help me know when it finally comes in the mail. Again congratulations.</p>