<p>Not sure if this is the place for this post. ALso posted in LD thread. </p>
<p>This is our third time through college search. I need help/support/reassurance. </p>
<p>Older 2 very academic/successful students at UVa. Now comes youngest: extremely hard working, same VERY academic HS with more than adequate GPA (3.5+). He has not taken any AP or honors classes and only moderate extracurriculars as he has spent most of his time on school work. He has had an IEP with limited accommodations and support but is not in any self contained classes, knows how to self advocate and is very motivated. ACT is exceptionally low (21) but will retake and should (may?)go up a bit after some tutoring. </p>
<p>We want to find a place where he will be able to succeed academically and have time for other activities. He would like to be no more than a 3 hour drive from home (DC) and would do best with a medium sized school (2000-8000?). </p>
<p>I am now worried that there is no such thing as a safety on his list because he has had minimum activities (spends most of his time on academics) and his ACT is so low, the only real strength is his GPA, (although he will also have excellent recommendations since teachers have requested to write them for him, teachers appreciate him).
He is probably applying to:</p>
<p>Susquehanna: My favorite. He not as convinced
Mary Washington: He likes, We like but is it too academic(?)
Elizabethtown: Still have to visit but like what we read Is it a c commuter or suitcase school?
West Chester: Too large? Commuter/Suitcase school?
Guiilford: A little far from home but otherwise sounds good.</p>
<p>He will probably need some tutoring and will try for extra time in college. Also maybe take fewer classes per semester (especially first semester). But is self motivated and knows how to advocate so don't see that he will need a school with structured LD program. He will also apply to Hofstra (and their program) though for good measure. </p>
<p>No financial need. </p>
<p>SHOULD WE REPORT HIS LD? (as reason for his ACT and/or limited ECs)?</p>
<p>American University is going test optional for ED only…</p>
<p>Also, not sure if you already did this, but ACT does make accomodations for LD’s if he is already being accomodated in school; not easy to get, but can’t hurt to try…</p>
<p>Other test optionals that fulfill your requirements and may fit with his GPA and 3 hour drive:</p>
<p>Muhlenberg-PA
Dickinson-PA
Union College-NY (may exceed the 3 hour drive; not sure)</p>
<p>What does he think he would like to major in? You’ve got some nice privates in VA that are similar to two of the three PA privates, and less expensive to boot. I’m thinking of Roanoke, Lynchburg and Randolph-Macon. </p>
<p>West Chester is a nice school and it’s as much a commuter school as any public college where the majority of the students are from a two hour radius of the school. Of all the PA public’s in that group (Kutztown, Millersville, etc.) West Chester has the best location IMHO, because it’s close to Philadelphia and the town of WC is pretty cool.</p>
<p>D chose to disclose her LD in her essay simply because she didn’t want to go anywhere where they didn’t want to work with a dysgrapic. It can be a tech intensive LD, and so the more willing the school, the better.</p>
<p>She had good scores and good grades and got into a myriad of schools. In the end she chose the University of Denver because they have really excellent supports in place, it was the right size for her, and she loves mountain sports. It was really an ideal fit. Not the most challenging school she got into, but “right” for her.</p>
<p>I’ve heard some really fantastic things about American, also, for LD, also she almost chose UNC-chapel hill, which has an excellent reputation, but she just thought it would be too big for her.</p>
<p>In the end, I think, when a kid has learning differences, fit is probably more important than prestige. (Though, who knows, I could be wrong…wouldn’t be the first time!)</p>
<p>Good luck to you. I’m glad we’re through it, though I miss her.</p>
<p>Susquehanna is very good choice IMO, especially if he will have a car. If he does not have a car, I think it can be a bit isolating.</p>
<p>Other options that I can think of, but I am going to list schools that are further away (you can always cross them off your list): </p>
<p>Hood College, Hartwick College, Roger Williams U., Monmouth University, Hofstra University (LD program), Marist College (LD program), McDaniel College (LD program), Pace University (2 campuses to think about), Manhattan College, test optional school (look at fairtest website), Fairleigh Dickinson University (2 campuses), Sacred Heart, Fairlfield University, Drew University (I know that it is test optional, they might require graded papers, not sure), Elmira College, Alfred University, Quinnipiac U. (rolling, so get app in early)</p>
<p>Editing: If you are going to look at Guilford, you might look at High Point, Elon (reach IMO), UNC Asheville, UNC Wilmington, and Queens University of Charlotte.</p>
<p>In VA- I have heard very good things about Bridgewater. I agree with Roanoke too.</p>
<p>We really like Susquehanna a LOT. I have talked to quite a few students and parents there, and seriously have not heard a single negative (well, except maybe that the town is a little sleepy and not too friendly). The admissions people have been great. DS is a runner, so he’s been on an overnight visit there. It’s definitely high on his list, even though he will probably get into much more restrictive schools. I would be very happy sending him there.</p>
<p>Take a look at Cabrini and St. Joe’s in Philly.</p>
<p>I agree with reporting the LD; my kid with a 504 (not IEP) used the situation in the essay.
I concur with poetgrl’s D that if a school is turned off by disclosure, it is good to know so you can stay away!</p>
<p>Lebanon Valley College (Annville, PA) is a little smaller than your son is looking for, with 1,600 students, but it’s test optional. They give automatic scholarships based on class rank, with 1/4 tuition for the top 30%, 1/3 tuition for top 20%, and 1/2 tuition for top 10%. The Office of Disability Services ([Disability</a> Services Home Page](<a href=“http://www.lvc.edu/disability-services/index.aspx]Disability”>http://www.lvc.edu/disability-services/index.aspx)) looks pretty good.</p>
<p>Why do you think Mary Washington is “too academic”?</p>
<p>I have a dyslexic son on an IEP, although in high school and performing with really no accomodations. I imagine he’ll end up much like yours, with a very good GPA and maybe zero APs. We have not decided whether to get extended time for his ACT or not, but I suspect that he will score mid-range without extended time simply because the ACT is such a “timed test.” I would disclose the LD and probably make sure I didn’t shoot “too low” for colleges. The college schedule is much different from the HS schedule and there is more “time” in the day for the studying, reading and whatnot than in high school where the kids are in school most of the day, then athletics, leaving them with just 3 hours or so at night for studying.</p>
<p>I really like Mary Washington and so did my husband and son. Not sure what exactly gave me the impression that is what “too” academic. Just want to make sure he is not in the same environment as his HS has been. It is both tough for a kid like him (actually it was tough for my other 2 academic/athletic children also…very competitive in every way). </p>
<p>He obviously will do what he needs to in order to get good grades. . He played football and basketball up until grade 8, elected to give it up to spend more time on academics (a decision I partly regret, but it was HIS decision). He has passions and interests that he would love to find time for, but the way it is now he has very little time (or energy) for anything but school/homework. </p>
<p>We just want to make certain that he is an environment where he has the freedom to explore himself while also feeling that he can accomplish academically, since that is so important to him. I think he will soar if he is in an college where he is a “big fish in a small pond”… but at the same time he is emphatic that he does not choose to be with kids who are not workers, or who are partiers. Tough call!!</p>
<p>He is unsure about major. I think he will probably go into something like occupational therapy (just my prejudice though) since he is very empathetic and has worked with Special Olympics and Adapted Aquatics kids. Just not sure about his ability to handle the science requirement. And also would need the extra schooling for a masters. We shall see. (Etown has a special program but not ready to lock into that one at all right now). West Chester stood out from the others for us as well for some reason. Want to have the option of a slightly larger school which it is when compared to his other options.</p>
<p>My dd had an IEP for ADHD-inattentive, math LD, and handwriting problems. She got solid grades (3.4 GPA) but very low SAT and ACT despite tons of 1:1 prep, several re-takes, and accoms on both exams. (1470/2400 on SAT and 22 on ACT.) </p>
<p>She was very active in sports and marching band and was in National Honor Society, but wasn’t an overt leader. Like your son, she worked extremely hard for every grade she got. She also has the best time management skills I have ever seen!</p>
<p>She was accepted at three of the four colleges she applied to. Catawba College and Lenoir Rhyne University even gave her academic merit scholarships and grants. UNC-Charlotte also accepted her and App State wait-listed her. </p>
<p>She chose Catawba College and is really happy there. Definitely not a suitcase school or regional only. And I’m really impressed with the Disabilities/Student Services Director and her professors at Catawba. Especially when compared with the big state U our son is attending.</p>
<p>I see Catawba has a Therapeutic Rec major. dd is majoring in Athletic Training. Catawba is more than three hours from you, but if you’re checking out Guilford, drive another 40-minutes down the road to Catawba.</p>
<p>And if you’re into US News’ rankings, Catawba is the 14th best baccalaureate college in the South. For whatever that’s worth.</p>
<p>Thanks all for the encouragement and support! </p>
<p>By the way, our district is 94-100 is A (4.0) and 93 is a 3.5, so his 3.5 is a lot higher than the typical B+. His first shot at the ACT was with extended time. He got that easily due to his diagnosed LD (since Kindergarten) and IEP (since grade 5). </p>
<p>You have gotten excellent recommendations already, but might also consider Lycoming, Albright, Arcadia and Moravian in PA and Washington College in MD</p>
<p>Our S1 also has LD/ADD issues. He had great scores (780M for instance, can’t remember others) but he does a terrible job advocating for himself. We made the mistake thinking more about his strong academics than about his terrible advocacy skills, so he went to a school w/ 5K kids and 8 hours away. Such a mistake that we’re still suffering. He is now in a small liberal arts school nearby and finally making friends. Please don’t make our same mistake. Tell the school, investigate if they offer services (we only needed that his first semester at his present school, but it made a difference), keep it small, and relatively close to home.</p>
<p>Not sure if you live in Pa, but it may be just right. He has a friend at Susquahanna.</p>
<p>Check in to Marshall University in Huntington, WV … yeah, the one where the plane crashed in We Are … Marshall.
They have an outstanding program called HELP for students with learning disabilities and is very reasonably priced. OOS tuition is about $12,000 per year. I think you’ll be pleasntly surprised.</p>