The college process can be overwhelming for all of us, but especially for the kid involved. It’s great you’re thinking about what to do now! If you haven’t done this already, maybe visit some state colleges during a school break – one large, one medium/smaller – to see what your S likes in a school. If financial aid is needed (and lots of it), in-state might be a good path. Many private schools offer incredible scholarships, so surf CC for past postings on which schools. Other large state Unis, like Alabama, seem to get mentioned by posters often with their merit scholarships for OOS, but it would help if your S could improve their ACT score closer to 30. If he kept his core class grades as As, that also is helpful. Some top schools don’t look at PE and other elective classes grades. For ECs, he looks pretty solid. Would recommend he takes advantage of the summer to continue with one of his passions – be a robotics camp counselor, etc. He has great leadership, so keep building on that. He should think about asking a fave teacher from this (junior) year for recs. Ask before the school year ends (maybe ask teachers in May – some work on recs over the summer). He’s clearly doing well!
For majors/what to study, college students change their major on average 4 times (at LACs). So, he’s a perfectly normal kid! It would help if he knew if sciences or social sciences were a focus. larger Unis often have “colleges” that a student applies to (College of Engineering, College of Arts & Sciences, College of Business, etc.); not all schools, but many. You might need to check out if any colleges of interest to him have this and begin pathing this for applications.
Two stories to share about some kids: One of my S’s friends had no idea as a senior in high school. Was contacted for sports, but didn’t want to play in college. Was all over the place (and country) with his list. All of a sudden, said he was going to follow his older brother and enlist in the military. Decided to take a year off. When his friends went off to college, he worked full time. By October, he started to realize that he did want to go to college. He visited schools (completely different ones than the year before!) and ended up at a great state uni. He flourished there. Loved it. Now graduated, he has a fantastic job in construction management. (CM was not even on his majors list entering college but he changed to it soph year, by the way). Second story: Valedictorian of my S’s grade went to a community college for two years before matriculating to a larger State U. Her family is of modest means, and it was all part of a financial plan they laid out (she’s the oldest of 3). She was president of her class in hs, salutorian, homecoming queen. Many people raised an eyebrow that she didn’t go to a “better” school with merit aid (there are lots of them out there). She now has her nursing degree and is doing well. Her plan worked out just fine. My S went to a great LAC with generous aid, did a year with Americorps, and now has a “dream job” working for his alma mater. My point here is that each kid has a different path, and sometimes it’s not as direct as others. A year off, or gap year as some call it, might be worthwhile. Work, do something different or unusual (mission trip or volunteer through your church?), and just mature to a point that he’s ready to embrace all that college can offer him.
Your S might be overwhelmed with all the pressure and options. As a leader at his school, he probably feels that pressure to “be” something. He already is something! Visiting schools really helps. I saw it with both of my kids – they turned from “i dunno” to “I can picture myself here.” But perhaps he needs a breather to help him sort it out. He sounds talented and smart. The biggest help as parents, is to guide them on a realistic path as best we can. If financial reality is that scholarships and instate are that path for your S, then educate yourself on all the viable options down that path.
Hope this helps!