Where to apply?

<p>Son is junior. Bright kid who has not been "inspired" (his word) to do his best in high school. Not sure exactly what his gpa will be, but I think a B- unweighted, at least a B weighted. He has taken many honors courses, and will take 2 APs next year. Got 1290 on his SATs (CR 650, M 640). Good ECs: Model Congress, Model UN, Environment Club, Community Service Club, etc. Any thoughts on the following list of schools? Really not sure where to apply. None of these feel like safeties to me. We live in NJ.</p>

<p>University of Vermont
Clark
University of RI
Indiana
James Madison
Miami U (ohio)
U Mass
Towson
Goucher
College of Charleston
U of Colorado
Ohio Wesleyan
Denison
Northeastern</p>

<p>I know this list is all over the place! Son is interested in studying Environmental Science. Your thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!</p>

<p>Since you live in NJ, I'd suggest you take a look at Richard Stockton State, with its extensive Enviro programs. Montclair State is also in the midst of a massive green initiative.</p>

<p>Would you consider Warren Wilson in NC? Great environmental studies program, and I think he'd be at least a match. Guilford might also be a good choice.</p>

<p>He may want to check out the SUNY- College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
It is right on the edge of Syracuse and the kids live in Syracuse dorms and participate in Syracuse clubs.<br>
This is a very highly regarded school - the majors are limited so he should be pretty confident ES - or something similar is what he wants.
SUNY-ESF</a>, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry</p>

<p>Yep - Warren Wilson is definitely a match - in Asheville, NC. A great area to study ES.</p>

<p>My D. just finished her freshman year at Miami U (ohio). She loves it there. The cutoff might be different from major to major. I would contact Admission and ask them. I am surprized by number of colleges in Ohio on your S's list. It is very different here and in NJ. How come Ohio? Is Miami that known outside of Ohio? We are in Ohio.</p>

<p>Would be concerned for him to select a school ONLY known for Environmental Science. I would like him to have the ability to change his mind. At 17, I'm just not sure he REALLY knows what he wants.</p>

<p>Have a good friend that attended Miami U, and has been talking it up to my son. Probably a stretch based on his grades though.</p>

<p>You might want to look at the University of South Carolina. They have a School of the Environment, but lots of other choices as well. USC is a "hot" school around our area in Virginia and has attracted some top students with financial aid offers so seems to be improving its academic reputation. I think your son's stats might make this a good safety and you can find out by Dec. 20th if you apply early. While USC claims the average GPA is a B+, they also show that 97% of students earning in excess of 1200 on SAT were accepted. They also explicitly say that a strong SAT can offset a weaker GPA and vice versa.
USC</a> Undergraduate Admissions</p>

<p>JustAMomof4 - Thanks for the tip on SUNY-ESF. The programs sounds fantastic, although I would be a bit apprehensive for hime to be SO comitted to Environmental Sci at this point. Also, the idea of living in Syracuse U dorms, having the option of taking SU classes and participating in SU activities for half the tuition is also appealing! Do you know anyone who has attend this school?</p>

<p>TheAnalyst - Will look into U of South Carolina. Not sure how S would feel about a big Southern school. Thanks!</p>

<p>I don't know about the major, but The College of Wooster has a reputation for finding ways to encourage kids to become inspired. Their thesis program should appeal to a bright kid like yours. I'd look at Wooster over Denison, for Ohio schools.</p>

<p>The</a> Eco League | Consortium of Environmental Colleges</p>

<p>An association of small, environmentally oriented LAC's. Two of these are in NE.</p>

<p>Mom2009 - One of my girls considered SUNY-ESF - a few years back. There are quite a few majors, not just ES - but they all are Environmentally related.
They take their core courses at Syracuse. She actually ended up at Warren Wilson College in NC. She loves to write and just wanted more of a liberal arts school and education.</p>

<p>USC is a lovely school as well. My youngest was accepted there this year an offered a nice OOS Scholarship - her SAT's were close to your son's SAT's. This is a very "Hot" school right now. Football is king! - FWIW.</p>

<p>Mom2009, I think you are wise not to limit your search to schools only know for Envir Sci, since may high school students' interest in a particular area are untested - - and their prefernces are w/o benefit of having even reviewed the full array of college courses.</p>

<p>Also, I will offer my standard advice for boys - - look at former women's colleges (like Goucher) - - they are eager to achieve or retain gender parity. As for Warren Wilson. it's is an acquired taste and is may to "hippie" for many students (do a name search; Waren Wilson is the subject of at least a couple of recent threads).</p>

<p>
[quote]
As for Warren Wilson. it's is an acquired taste

[/quote]

very true.</p>

<p>U Colorado has a very strong Environmental studies program. Enviro is available at the Boulder campus (where the emphasis is on governmental policy & the environment), and at the Colorado Springs campus (where the emphasis is on human geography & the environment). Both campuses emphasize student involvement in research projects and Boulder "strongly encourages" all Enviro majors to complete an internship (for credit).</p>

<p>Both Boulder and Springs are beautiful locations at the base of the Rocky Mtns., close to skiing, white water rafting and many other outdoor activities. Both are convenient to major airports.</p>

<p>Your son's stats ought to get him accepted at either campus. But be aware that Colorado's OOS FA is mostly in the form of loans.</p>

<p>Agree with Warren Wilson. Look at UMaine unless he cannot tolerate 5 months of cold, windy weather and snow.</p>

<p>Really appreciate all of the great info! Never thought of U of South Carolina. Thought it would be way to Southern for my son! I will check it out.</p>

<p>Nice to hear that he may actually have a chance at U of Colorado. Think that might be a good option for him.</p>

<p>Any thoughts on U of Vermont, Clark, or U of Indiana?</p>

<p>University of Vermont is among the highest in tuition for OOS students. Very popular school. I've heard good things about Clark, but it is very expensive and in an "iffy" area. You should look at University of New Hampshire. They have a good Env Sci program and offer decent FA/merit to OOS students. My D is a student there and loves it. I don't see UNH mentioned too much on these boards, not sure why, but it is a better-than-average school.</p>

<p>UVM is indeed expensive for OOS students although its a great college town. But its waaaay up there and not easy to get to by anything but a car. UNH is a very good school, nice campus. Gets warmer sooner, too. Also proximity to Boston is much better.</p>

<p>UNH - my alma mater! It is a fine school and a lovely college town. They do in fact have a great Env Sci and Env Engineering program of which my nephew is a product and he has done very very well.</p>