I have a kid who majored in engineering as an undergrad. She was very specific that she wanted to play in a university orchestra during college. This was THE hardest criteria for her to fulfill. She emailed every music department chair, orchestra director and her private instrument teacher at each college of interest
I would suggest your don do the same as they were very helpful
Not sure why a focus on academics is a bad thing in selecting a college. After all, aren’t academics the reason to attend college? Many, probably most, college students do not have the luxury of choosing based on anything other than cost, academics, being admitted, and (sometimes) additional parental restrictions.
However, for a student who does have the luxury of being able to consider those other factors, it may be worth checking that they are not in what s/he considers the unacceptable or highly undesirable range, even if they may be secondary in importance compared to academics.
I don’t think a focus on academics is a bad thing. But no, I don’t think academics are the only reason to attend college. Personal development in many areas occurs during the undergrad years.
Cost is a factor for most of us, but I don’t think it is a luxury to consider fit in terms of those other variables mentioned.
Outside of the forum bubble, most college students are cost-constrained to commute to a nearby community college or state university (and do not have the academic credentials to earn full rides or admission to the best-financial-aid universities). For them, if they have more than one such nearby college, “fit” besides cost and academics may be which one is more convenient to arrange commuting to relative to home and job.
I have read this whole thing, and I realized I had forgotten what the original question was. So I went back.
There is no question. It is a blog post.
I don’t know how useful this post will end up being to anyone, since your son is very atypical, and apparently
immune to suggestion from you, never mind the anonymous CC community. This strikes me as one long humble-brag about “my quirky, uber-rational, ultra sensitive, kind and considerate child”. I don’t get the feeling there is any advice being solicited as any attempt is turned down with a “it’s a wonderful
school, believe me, we tried”. What’s the point?
ucbalumnus, I was responding to the OP’s post. Of course the majority don’t go to a private or out of state public, and many go to community or state college and live at home. And many don’t go at 18 or 19 either. My own family covers just about all these options.
One other thing: and sorry for the tangent folks. Outside the CC bubble, not all of us have homes where our kids can live. I live in a studio 
@Gudmom, I did try to challenge the OP’s narrative a bit, and there has been no response for awhile, so you may be right.
@Gudmom not all threads need to ask for advice. I find it refreshing to hear about a selection process that is a bit different. Someone may find it very helpful.
Interesting to see updates and journey.
It doesn’t seem like much of an opportunity to be helpful but more of a bystander. Which is kind of an interesting diversion.
You seem to have it all in hand and a good plan.
Hope it works out as described by you.
My only and last advice is that the knowledge that many schools may say no and actually receiving these types of deferrals, Wl and rejections move from hypothetical to very personal and in waves.
I would suggest a few more top schools in your field that seem more match level.
It gives more meaningful choice if in fact the flagship becomes the default. It’s a choice and not a consolation prize.
Saying you understand and really what lies in a kid’s heart are often different.
Don’t be overconfident and perhaps be open to some experience provided here with alternatives.
Best of luck and will eagerly watch for your updates. I hope it is a wonderful process for you in the end.
@Gudmom not all posts need to be questions.
And not all posts reflecting a perspective on the post that differs from us needs the thought police jumping on @Gudmom .
If someone posts to an open forum they can expect differing views. And perhaps @Gudmom post will also help some posters who feel their child is at the back of the line here too.
Some threads belong on the bragging thread.
Don’t many engineering programs have “weed-out” GPA requirements? UMinn has one too.
I’m pretty sure based on the clues and on the OP’s prior postings that the flagship is Ohio State. If that is true I do not think a student can even become a chemical engineering major as an entering freshman. You have to apply to get in is my understanding. Could be wrong. But I think that’s how it was when my daughter was looking and one of the reasons it moved off the list almost immediately.
Many engineering programs operate that way. That is not unusual. It gives kids a chance to explore lots of options before committing and some actually prefer that.
OSU has a ChemE premajor, with guaranteed admission to the major for a 3.3 GPA in the freshman foundational courses (Engr, Math, Chem).
Re: #73
However, some are non competitive to get into a specific major (e.g. Michigan and Pittsburgh), but others have high college GPA requirements or competitive admission to get into specific majors (e.g. many Midwestern flagships, VT, Texas A&M).
That is another discussion @ucbalumnus and you seem to feel strongly about that topic.
the OP is gone…
^^The OP was online this evening
I meant gone from this thread. I don’t check up on people’s participation in the forum