<p>Being from NJ, we're not familiar with any but the most well-known Southern colleges and universities--and my son is interested in Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt. But we're also looking for schools that are most likely to accept him: 3.5 GPA, good PSATs, SATs not yet taken, private high school, 2 AP courses, and 2 varsity letter sports. He read about Old Dominion, Lynchburg College, and Clemson. Can anyone give us a feel for these schools beyond the stats, facts, and figures?</p>
<p>Those 3 schools you mentioned would probably be safeties/matches. Get those SATs high because if you get 2100+ you can be looking at UVA/Emory/Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt has AMAZING chicks and it is very preppy. UVA is preppy too and concentrated on frats; it is becoming popular as it is a mix of academics and social life.
Emory is kinda... eh... not so good social-wise or even well-known but it is a top school and has the Southern flavor.
UT-Austin would be another good choice (though out of state might be a bit hard without high SATs). It is AMAZING for social life and has that southern hospitality.</p>
<p>Also look at Sewanee, Rhodes, Elon, Furman, and Centre.</p>
<p>id look at UGA....rising star academically, great social scene</p>
<p>Thanks for all your suggestions. He's ruled out the really tiny schools, but we'll definitely look at the others. I'm pretty sure UVA is out of his reach--we don't quite know how Vanderbilt fits into the selection scale. AcceptedAlready, the three you tag as safeties---does anyone know anything about their academic merit?</p>
<p>I think you can aim a little higher academically than Old Dominion and Lynchburg College. I second UGeorgia. Awesome place and really on the rise.</p>
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<p>A couple of Questions.
How tiny is tiny enough to rule out? Where are is academic interests?
Give folks more to work with and the suggestions will flow.</p>
<p>ive heard GREAT things about UGA and Clemson. those would probably be safeties/matches for your son. Emory is also a great school. depending on SAT score, this could be a reach, but maybe only a slight reach. and Vanderbilt is probably a reach.</p>
<p>By "tiny" he means any school under about 2300. Preferably a school of 5000 and up. His interests are environmental studies/natural resources, but he's a little wary of Virginia Tech in case he gets there and suddenly decides he wants to be an art history major or something. Athletics are important: he's a varsity wrestler and lacrosse player. Whether it's a school where he gets to play varsity (like on a D3 level) or that has competitive club teams, this will be a major consideration. </p>
<p>His GPA will be weighted with two AP courses, the rest of his schedule isn't terribly rigorous.</p>
<p>He's social, but doesn't care about fraternities. We're Jewish--which we hear may give a slight edge at some schools. That could be either legend or wishful thinking--he just hears it a prep tournaments, etc.</p>
<p>Thank you for the heads-up on Old Dominion and Lynchburg--perhaps they may be too much the safeties. And thanks to all who are contributing to this thread. We really appreciate the suggestions.</p>
<p>I have heard that ODU is heavy on commuters.
How about JMU?</p>
<p>I have heard the same about ODU. Mary Washington, Elon , Emory, College of Charleston seem to fit the bill. Don't let average #s scare you; the stats are more lenient for males in a female heavy school.</p>
<p>Unless his athletics are a hook his academics may not be strong enough for Emory, though it might be worth a shot as a reach that meets his various needs. At our high school it is a destination for people who just miss the Ivy cut. I would suggest Vanderbilt as a slight reach; it has been pretty open about looking for qualified Jewish kids. I would also look at University of Richmond--size is about right, and he probably is close to a match on the GPA front. You will have to see how his SATs are before you can really shape a list. If by good PSAT you mean at least National Merit Commended (over 200) that probably is a good sign though.</p>
<p>I would look at College of Charleston as a possible safety because it is a very pretty school in a great city, but keep in mind that it is much more local or at any rate in-state than the other ones I've mentioned. </p>
<p>You might also look at Wake Forest, tougher to get into than Clemson but not supertough compared to northern schools, and a very good school taht is probably underappreciated in the North.</p>
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<p>are CoC and Wake Forest large or small?</p>
<p>midsize; check Web sites for specific enrollment figures.</p>
<p>Wake around 5,000; Cof C closer to 10,000</p>
<p>I would not suggest Wake Forest. The Jewish population is very, very small and not really doing anything to actively bring in Jewish students. I have just been through a very similar search (son is a senior) and I would be happy to share our experience. From the NE, Jewish and looking for Southern schools. Please feel free to PM me if you would like.</p>
<p>UMiami
Tulane</p>
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<p>Emory has a large jewish population. </p>
<p>If he is into science, check out GA Tech.</p>
<p>He was all about Tulane until Katrina. Anyone have any sense of how and when (and even whether) Tulane will be anything of its former self?</p>
<p>College of Charleston has an active Jewish population.</p>
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