<p>If the concern is that OP’s S would not be eligible for honors weighting for his out of state freshman and sophomore years, IIRC, UC does not give extra weight to freshman and sophomore classes unless the class is normally a junior level class (such as Honors Chemistry). In addition, UC is pretty stingy about the number of classes they will allow for extra weight (maybe a total of 8?). For each California high school, UC publishes a list stating exactly which courses qualify for honors/AP credit, and not every class designated by the school as “honors” will. Also keep in mind that UC accepts a number of out of state students, most of whom have not been groomed to attend a UC. In short, I don’t believe the OP’s S is at a great disadvantage for having spent his first 2 high school years out of state. Now if OP isn’t interested in a UC because of other reasons, that’s a different story, but I don’t believe that his S will find it difficult in getting admitted to a few UCs.</p>
<p>Since you’re in So Cal and seem to be favoring West Coast colleges, I suggest a visit to Chapman University in Orange to see if it appeals as a match or safety.</p>
<p>With his grades and schools, he will probably be offerred a merit scholarship. They have a very good business/economics school, nice medium-sized campus. </p>
<p>[Chapman</a> University - Argyros School of Business & Economics](<a href=“Argyros College of Business and Economics | Chapman University”>Argyros College of Business and Economics | Chapman University)</p>
<p>[Chapman</a> hires Nobel Prize-winner | smith, chapman, university - Homepage - The Orange County Register](<a href=“Chapman hires Nobel Prize-winner – Orange County Register”>Chapman hires Nobel Prize-winner – Orange County Register)</p>
<p>I appreciate everyone’s input! The student that made the post was spot on and it sounds like my son could have a free-wheeling debate about the meaning of life with you. (Sorry, I don’t think it’s 42). I think he was accelerated in Math a year earlier than you. In hindsight, a bit too early.</p>
<p>Anyway, my son is very discouraged about his chances of getting into school. Clarify- that he wants to go to. Sure Stanford is a serious reach, but not impossible. Wanting to be an Econ/Math/Physics major (yes, I am aware of the double or triple major issue there)… Schools need to fit him and they need to accept him. I’m about to start the roadtrips this spring and have looked for advice on western schools other than the obvious.</p>
<p>There are a few Eastern schools that I’m going to make him apply to, just because I think they fit him and he will be happy.</p>
<p>Beyond the CATO thing, he will need to look at graduate school and for Economics and with his free market philosophy, Chicago is where he should be. So, what school will give him the best opportunity to achieve that goal is the question. I guess.</p>
<p>Our summer roadtrip consists of the following after bonding and rafting on the Toulumne River: </p>
<p>GASP!!! UC Davis
Santa Clara
Stanford
Cal Poly
maybe Occidental
(Claremont McKenna is being seen separately because I think thats “IT” for him.</p>
<p>for some stuff on econ depts and ideology, read this</p>
<p>[Saltwater</a> and freshwater economics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltwater_and_freshwater_economics]Saltwater”>Saltwater and freshwater economics - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>“Anyway, my son is very discouraged about his chances of getting into school. Clarify- that he wants to go to.”</p>
<p>To be realistic, compare his stats with a school’s Common Data Set, sections C9 to C12.</p>
<p>“Sure Stanford is a serious reach, but not impossible.”</p>
<p>Stanford is also primarily a graduate school, one of the best in the world, a fine target later if he is not admitted this time.</p>
<p>“There are a few Eastern schools that I’m going to make him apply to, just because I think they fit him and he will be happy.”</p>
<p>I hope he’ll have some say about the final choice.</p>
<p>“I hope he’ll have some say about the final choice.”</p>
<p>He absolutely will have the final choice, but he is, after all just a kid. Helping him see, find and pick the best choice for him, within the framework of his options, is my job.</p>