<p>Yes, I was only using UB as an example of what an identically named award (Presidential) would mean at a different SUNY school. UB’s cutoffs for merit are much higher than many SUNY’s - bigger, more selective school with much more competition. That’s why I suggested the so-called “lesser” SUNY’s to the OP - still quality educational opp’s, nearly identical pricing, but much easier to garner merit aid there than at the big 4. Even if he started at a less well-known SUNY, the gen eds and other courses would transfer easily to Bing, Geneseo, UB, Stony, etc. if he wanted to graduate from one of those as SUNY gen ed requirements are system-wide.</p>
<p>I agree with the idea of a student going to a SUNY. He seems intent on going to a prestigious U, but with his stats, he’d likely get eaten alive GPA-wise and never get considered for med school.</p>