Suggestions for son...

Parents Forum
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<p>DS just got his SAT scores. M:770, V:700 W:660. He's a rising senior, doesn't plan to take them again (this was his second run, and he went up from 2050 to 2130.)</p>

<p>Grades are good (about 4.25 average, depending on how you weight) and his schedule has been challenging (4 AP classes junior year, 6 senior year). He's wrestled for 4 years, and has been active in French Club, French Honor Society, NHS, and Academic Team.</p>

<p>We're in FL, so Bright Futures is a sure thing, plus possible merit aid from schools other than UF. </p>

<p>He doesn't know what he wants to study. Leaning towards computers/mathy stuff. </p>

<p>If we want to go smaller than the state U's and still be in the southeast, what schools can you recommend that might offer serious merit aid? Finances are definitely a factor. With two in school, our EFC was greater than our out-of-pocket expenses. With three we may scratch out a little need-based, but not much.</p>

<p>Despite the scores, grades, and the mom who posts on CC, this is not a hugely ambitious kid who wants a prestige school. He's a very bright, nice, funny, laid-back kid. Oh, FWIW, he is not into writing. At this point I don't think a writing heavy LAC would be his thing.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for any ideas or suggestions. We're using the online tools, etc., but first-hand experience means more.</p>

2

<p>I think that with three in school and his stats you should at least look at the 100% need-based alternatives. Have you tried running the Amherst online calculator with the 3-in-school figures? (Not that he should necessarily apply there--possibly too writing-heavy for him--but the calculator is good!) I have no idea what their FA--merit or need--is like, but Davidson would seem like a southeast possibility for him. How about that school where Curmudgeon's D goes...is it Rhodes?</p>

3

<p>Definitely look into Vanderbilt University.</p>

4

<p>If he wants to avoid writing - Carnegie Mellon has pretty minimal distributional requirements as long as you have 4s and 5s on the relevant APs. Requirement differ a bit by each school. The School of Computer Science would be a reach and may be more intense than what he wants. He might like a place like Brown which doesn't have distribution requirements at all. Georgia Tech has a good reputation, but I don't know if it's worth it over what you can get from the Florida universities.</p>

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<p>Davidson only offers very specific academic scholarships for which, on the most part, the student must submit an additional application. First I will say make sure to consider the honors college at UF, since your S qualifies with his SAT scores. It is very nice and the dorm is beautiful. Otherwise, other Florida schools are smaller, such as Florida Atlantic's honors program. I agree on the Ga Tech suggestion and they give merit scholarships but you must apply by an earlier deadline. Emory offers merit money too. Other SE schools that are generous include Elon, and Wake. But I don't know if they are a match for his interests. Good luck.</p>

6

<p>Welll it's a stretch to call Maryland "Southeast" but it was below the Mason Dixon Line in the Civil War.</p>

<p>So, what about Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore? If you find good direct flights between FL and the BWI airport, or even train connections, you can send him solo on public transportation and save the constant regional driving, which gets old after Freshman Orientation.</p>

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<p>Check out Furman. They have some good merit scholarships, in the southeast, and on the smaller side. Not sure how much of a match it is for him otherwise.</p>

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<p>Elon or Clemson would likely give him heavy-duty merit aid. Also College of Charleston.
Univ of Miami gives good merit aid.
Wake Forest and Emory are less generous with merit aid but he might have a shot.<br>
I agree that Vanderbilt should be on his list. Maybe Tulane too?</p>

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<p>The schools that tend to meet full need are often those that give only need based aid. Without merit money, such schools are just going to meet your need as defined by PROFILE. I suggest you run your numbers through that to see what they feel is need. If you need more than that and still want to go out side of the Florida state schools, you need to look at the colleges that offer merit money. They tend to have very high standards for that kind of money (like HPY eligible), and it is hard to get. Since safeties are in place, he can shoot for the stars in terms of this, however.</p>

<p>Some schools that are selective and have some great scholarships are UNC-Ch, UMIami, Wake, Tulane, Vanderbit, UVA (can he get a Jefferson scholar nomination?), Rhodes College, Davidson, Duke, Georgia Tech, Johns Hopkins, George Washington, American. If he goes out of the Southeast, he may have some bigger oppotunities at schools like Claremont, Santa Clara, Occidental, Colorado College, Macalester, Carlton, Oberlin, Denison, Boston College, Fordham U. Many more. I have avoided large state schools that have generous merit aid, as that is why he does not want to go to the Florida states where he can go for very little.</p>

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<p>What about Eckerd? His stats will definitely get him merit money and he might enjoy the laid back atmosphere.</p>

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<p>I looked at Eckerd, and he may apply. However it is RIGHT in our backyard, and I think he'd like to be a little further from home.</p>

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<p>lol. Totally understandable---I don't blame him for wanting to go away to school. I didn't realize you were close to Eckerd. He sounds like a great kid and any college will be happy to have him.</p>

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<p>What about University of Miami...he should get some good aid there with your Florida residency and scholarship money combined.</p>

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<p>I have been put off by some of what I have read as its being a "rich kids' school." We are not Gucci/Prada folk. Is this info incorrect? I'm willing to have the boy look anywhere he may be happy.</p>

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<p>Another school that hasn't been mentioned is Elon U. With his stats he should get good merit there.</p>

16

<p>look at UNC-Wilmington. It is a small public university with reasonable oos tuition. A friends daughter recently graduated from there who is now attending med school and absolutely love her four years there. Its near the beach so I suspect the atmosphere is somewhat lsad back.</p>

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<p>Don't be put off by the UM rich kid rap. There are many Prada types, but also many plain old regular kids. My S would rather shop in a thrift store than A&F and he loves and has thrived at UM. Your S would be in the ballpark for a 3/4 tuition scholarship. I suggest you investigate the possibility and visit, UM is a great school. Good luck.</p>

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<p>Most of the selective private colleges have close to half full pay students in them. That means half of the kids are on aid of some kind, and another half have resources that can pay those big bucks. However, when you run your numbers through the calculators, you'll see that you can be a full pay family without being a super rich. EFC truly means "every friggin' cent". So you will always find many families and kids stretching to meet college costs these days. UMiami is no exception. But you also see much diversity there as it gives some good merit awards and attracts kids from all over the US. My good friend whose son is going to Emory was truly divided between Miami and his choice, loved both schools. The diversity at Miami was something he particularly liked.<br>
But check it out. My son was uncomfortable at some colleges we visited that I thought were good fits for him. I would have thought a preppy, athletic type of school would be for him. He liked something a little bit more relaxed. The catholic schools were comfortable for him, surprisingly, as he did not go to a catholic high school. That was the pattern that developed. Friends of his were surprised to find that their son loved the big state schools over the smaller schools. Sometimes a visit makes a difference. Then again I have seen kids really love a school that does not fit the type he usually likes.</p>

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<p>Every Friggin' Cent: I love it!</p>

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<p>UMiami is hugely diverse both economically and geographically. Lots of kids on scholarships with financial concerns as well as many who can easily afford it. My S has met all types. He has friends who are on a strict budget and those who can spend freely. He also knows kids from all over the U.S. and the world. He has mentioned England, St. Croix, Germany, Japan and more. </p>

<p>It is definitely worth a visit. My son is very down to earth and has found some really nice kids to hang out with. I think he is finally realizing how lucky he is to be there.</p>