Chembiodad2414 replies21 discussionsRegistered UserPosts: 2,435Senior Member
edited January 2018
@bearpanther, agree that the schools listed after Bard, and those suggested by others, would be good to take a further look at. Its always hard to predict an increase from 10th grade PSAT to SAT, but its generally assumed to be 150+/- for mid-range scorers (much less as you get to the top of the range) - hence the reason why I referenced 1370 as a good Match score to target. College Niche also has good student profile descriptions.
I'd really try to get him to consider schools in PA. He may think that going away to a school an hour or two away is not really going away, but it is. The main difference between a school an hour or two away and one 4 hours away is that he'd come home 5 times a year instead of 3, and you might visit him a couple of times more often.
Pennsylvania probably has a better assortment of liberal arts colleges than any other state. Swarthmore and Haverford are probably out of reach (and Bryn Mawr is not possible, of course), but other PA schools include Bucknell, Lafayette, Franklin & Marshall, Gettysburg, Dickinson, Muhlenberg, Allegheny, Ursinus, and Juniata. F&M has a Writers House with writing programs. At Ursinus, he can submit a writing sample to try for a $33,000 a year scholarship and the right to spend freshman year in the single dorm room that J. D. Salinger spent his one semester of college in.
I'm pretty sure at least one of those colleges above would be a low reach or a solid match for him, and would be good in writing and/or history.
Agree with @Wilson98, don't totally disregard PA schools. Junior year my son and many of his friends thought they would be attending OOS schools. Come senior year only two, including my son, are now considering it. Most realized they didn't want to be a plane ride or 7 hour drive away. It may not hold true for your child, but I read a stat 70% of students are within a 3-4 drive from home.
That said, you have a good list of a variety of schools. Beloit might be a possibility although I don't know what majors they are strong in. If you want something a little larger, possibly the University of Rochester? Keep in mind changes in majors, location, and general thought process can occur over the next year. Like you, we started with a larger list and narrowed as time went on. Has your son visited any schools? Spring break would be a great time since many colleges have a different break than high schools. It was pretty easy for my son to take some off the list after visiting. As time went on we also added schools, many closer to home. There are many resources that can help give you a general feel of the school, Fiske Guide, College Niche, and College Data are a few in addition to Princeton Review. Also search here on CC...we found that very helpful in our journey.
moooop2205 replies17 discussionsRegistered UserPosts: 2,222Senior Member
edited February 2018
Part of finding the right fit involves objective factors like big/small, urban/rural, affordability, & having the desired major.
But more subjective factors also contribute to fit. Having come from a small town myself, I would be concerned with whether your son will seem innocent & naive compared to his classmates. Some of the schools on your list would be a tough fit socially for the typical small town kid, especially Reed, Emerson.
Replies to: Preliminary list--would love advice!
Pennsylvania probably has a better assortment of liberal arts colleges than any other state. Swarthmore and Haverford are probably out of reach (and Bryn Mawr is not possible, of course), but other PA schools include Bucknell, Lafayette, Franklin & Marshall, Gettysburg, Dickinson, Muhlenberg, Allegheny, Ursinus, and Juniata. F&M has a Writers House with writing programs. At Ursinus, he can submit a writing sample to try for a $33,000 a year scholarship and the right to spend freshman year in the single dorm room that J. D. Salinger spent his one semester of college in.
I'm pretty sure at least one of those colleges above would be a low reach or a solid match for him, and would be good in writing and/or history.
That said, you have a good list of a variety of schools. Beloit might be a possibility although I don't know what majors they are strong in. If you want something a little larger, possibly the University of Rochester? Keep in mind changes in majors, location, and general thought process can occur over the next year. Like you, we started with a larger list and narrowed as time went on. Has your son visited any schools? Spring break would be a great time since many colleges have a different break than high schools. It was pretty easy for my son to take some off the list after visiting. As time went on we also added schools, many closer to home. There are many resources that can help give you a general feel of the school, Fiske Guide, College Niche, and College Data are a few in addition to Princeton Review. Also search here on CC...we found that very helpful in our journey.
But more subjective factors also contribute to fit. Having come from a small town myself, I would be concerned with whether your son will seem innocent & naive compared to his classmates. Some of the schools on your list would be a tough fit socially for the typical small town kid, especially Reed, Emerson.