Without going back and reading the entire thread, why can’t she minor (or major) in the area she loves?
ETA, Ok, I did go back and read the thread. I still don’t understand. What’s the big deal? I don’t see why she can’t be an engineer if that’s what she wants. So she isn’t sure when she enters college – lots of kids are unsure. And many switch direction while in college.
And, I don’t think one can extrapolate from the OP’s situation to then say the US college system is broken.
And OP- there are plenty of great colleges for “late bloomers” if that’s the specific concern.
I’d say this is the opposite of “broken”. There are likely dozens of colleges where your D can have a wonderful academic and social experience.
Thanks for your post. We looked at the honors programs at the universities – UVM, UMass Amherst, Binghamton. The classes will still be big (as honors students still take all the same classes – they just have a few seminars, outings, and a few special classes). She really prefers not to go to a big school. Geneseo seems interesting at some level but they don’t separate out students into being honors any more (all students are since it is "New York’s Honors College now), and, well, we are not sure all those students really are honors level students – so she may not find a cohort of high achieving classmates.
Afaik SUNY Geneseo is as selective as Albany’s Honors College and the students tend to be focused&high achieving. Different vibe from Bing but solid academics.
Europe, where grade 11-12 results&SAT score would have greater weight, could be worth investigating (I posted 2 possibilities with housing& small classes upthread).
The 4-year undergrad schools that provide Engineering degrees while offering real liberal arts classes leave little room for a minor – like Bucknell, Lafayette, Union. She would have to not only take an additional classes and/or summer classes (each costing $5-7k at these schools) but also stay for part of a 5th year – and the merit scholarship ends at 4 years for all of these schools.
A 3-2 program could alleviate this but the 2 year school (imagine Columbia or Dartmouth) may not offer a merit scholarship, and the 3 years prior is not enough to really dig into a humanities minor because it is still a fast track. Public schools – Geneseo then to U Buffalo – is affordable for a 3-2 or a 4-2 program but we are not sure about the outcome.
Thank you.
Love UCR, you really need 2 years at a community college to prepare because those european kids are at least a year ahead. So affordable too! It is just more of an “Engineering Science” degree so not sure of the outcome (she wants to be a hard core Engineer).
Maastricht is appealing but concerned about the lack of housing (UCR and AUC have housing). But let me look at this again as this could be a good bridge – I spied their catalog and do see they have a general science program. Their “Hospi Housing” could work.
Thanks for your post and sorry for the non-reply / oversight. Just went on this web site today after a hiatus.
What outcome are you concerned about? Any ABET engineering program will prepare a student for a career in actual engineering…
Outcome meaning being able to get a real Engineering job. So yes, only looking for ABET accreditation. Thanks
You were concerned about the outcomes at Buffalo?
Here are the ABET programs:
Aerospace Engineering BS,
Biomedical Engineering BS
Chemical Engineering BS
Civil Engineering BS
Computer Engineering BS
Computer Science BS
Electrical Engineering BS
Environmental Engineering BS
Industrial Engineering BS
Mechanical Engineering BS
I don’t think you need to worry about outcomes!
Depends on the curriculum - DE calc& algebra-based physics would be plenty, or AP Calc AB+AP Physics 1.
The advantage of the combined degree is that it’s international with guaranteed housing.
She could always do year 1 there then apply to an ABET accredited program in the US ( as a transfer => low scholarship odds).
I think I already mentioned the UK’s colleges (like Lewes, with 2 academic programs for internationals I clouding a self catering option for 18-19 year olds) and International Foundation years (1 year to catch up on what STEM peers have done in the UK).
The advantage of this option is that it doesn’t count as higher education so she could return to the US and apply as a freshman.
Buffalo - Thank you, I see what you are saying, I am impressed with the Buffalo options. I am really impressed with the SUNY system (1/2 of the people I work with went to elite schools and 1/2 went to the better half of the SUNY schools, they want kids to succeed, and they keep up a high and positive energy, AND there re no games or gimmicks). I think steering our daughter to say Geneseo with the after target being Buffalo rather than say Columbia is wise. I just wish she could take a few classes before jumping into college, sigh.
Got it, that is encouraging for UCR – “DE calc& algebra-based physics would be plenty, or AP Calc AB+AP Physics 1”
The St. Andrews program is quite appealing as well, especially since she is already applying there. Let me bring this to her attention.
Thank yo so much, this is very kind of you!
@MYOS1634
Update… Daughter is very interested (and excited) about the St. Andrews prospect. We just emailed the program. We are asking them if it is equivalent to the A-levels which are roughly equivalent to US AP classes we understand. Can you comment on 2 aspects of this – are A-levels near-equivalents to AP classes and do you happen to know if these classes at St.Andrews are A-level equivalent (we asked them the same via their form just now).
Many thanks again!
A Levels go beyond AP classes. Students only take 3 subjects (or 4 with Further Maths or EPQ) for 2 years, so in most cases the amount covered goes about 1 year beyond the closest AP class. The one-year StA program is more or less designed for students who have covered a small part of the curriculum but are missing entire chapters, especially the most advanced notions.
Let us know what they reply 
Ok Thanks, this will work well for her needs (although she will miss taking classes that involve reading and writing for a year). Northfield Mount Hernon has a similar program where one only takes 3 core classes. No reply yet but there is plenty of time. Really appreciate your knowledge sharing!
Hi @MYOS1634 I wanted to share an update… Turns out the St. Andrews (and also Trinity College Dublin) 1-year Foundation Program will not accept students who have a US high school diploma unfortunately. As it stands now, my daughter is leaning towards a 3-2 Engineering program since the 3 year period will provide her time to take the necessary math and science sequence at a steadier pace.
I’m sorry …
but I hope she finds the 3+2 (or the 2+1+1+1 program with Dartmouth, where Junior Year Abroad is replaced with Junior Year in Engineering at Dartmouth) a good fit. 
Hey thanks. I wanted to share that she was accepted into her first choice college last week and the college does have an arrangement with Dartmouth (though admission is not guaranteed). We are now looking for a way for her to take Calculus 1 and and algebra-based Physics class (and ideally an Intro to German) class over the summer. Local community college and Excelsior University - Online Course Catalog but the classes start on May 5 – 6 weeks before she graduates from high school. I will look or post on the forum for ideas. Many thanks for your thoughts above!
Congratulations on her acceptance! That is wonderful.
My opinion…please let your daughter enjoy her last summer at home before college. Many many students take calculus, and algebra based physics in college. And I’m not sure I understand the need for intro to German.
Can’t she take all of these as an incoming freshman?
@thumper1 It is her choice not mine… she believes this will allow her to be more prepared, do better with more ease and therefore be able to enjoy college more. It will also confirm the direction of her major. She loves to learn and keep her mind open.