Not so sure that it is a good idea that depending on study abroad to get a reasonable selection of courses for the major, especially since study abroad means piling all of the extras not found at the home school into one semester (might not all be offered in that semester, for example). Also, Hungary is not exactly friendly to foreigners.
So how are they getting all these kids into PhD programs ? They have to have some level of substantive offering.
In the end, there are several issues here potentially. Budget and at certain places admissibility.
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By the time he gets to college there will also be AI help to master proofs.
Kalamazoo is one of those LACs that I would look at more carefully, as I believe that students can cross-register at Western Michigan, which does offer through a PhD in math. So if OP’s son exhausts the math offerings at Kalamazoo, then there’s an option that’s a 0.7 mile walk down the street (per Google Maps).
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My daughter LOVES Brandeis. It’s a great school for kids who want to avoid frat culture, but not be bored. It’s so easy to get into Boston including a free school shuttle and a train station right on campus - so they do that all the time. Plus its a very warm fuzzy and supportive environment. As a junior, my daughter is close with many professors and knows everyone in the classes for her major because they all work together. Love everything about the school.
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Thank you for the feedback - definitely on the list for him.
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Yes this is the right interpretation - obviously we want to minimize loans but he may need some sort of loan to go to his preferred school.
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Yes, he has an IEP that allows him more time in school - College Board has not yet accepted the request for extended time. Hopefully the third time is the charm because it is so helpful to him. Makes a huge difference in his particular outcomes.
RE: Umass requirements - he does meet them.
Loans: agree they are bad, but I disagree with you on the threshold - for me it would be greater than $20k per year, but that’s me.
Lastly, you’re not driving a wedge at all - you’re being insanely helpful to a person that is just getting into the process - so all of your comments are much appreciated.
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Just so you are aware, loans beyond the federal amounts ($5500 first year, $6500 second year, and $7500 for third and fourth years) would need to be cosigned by the parents, meaning that the parents would be on the hook for repayment should your son be unable or unwilling to do so.
Yup very aware of this - seen it go sideways with other friends.
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$20k is too much. Fortunately the government agrees. At least on the Parent Plus line, you can only borrow $65k for the degree. This is new this year with the Big Beautiful Bill and I think good - but still too high. So many can’t escape the weight of such high debt. There’s the loans the student can get too.
Loans have fees - so you don’t get what you are borrowing. And interest - and you’ll have grad school -which may or may not be funded.
$80k, which means you’re borrowing more - at 8% you’re near $1k a month for ten years.
In today’s world, with grads barely surviving without loans, it’s too much.
And you’ll find schools that cost less.
In the non math classes, what kind of rigor does your son have ?
Brandeis, statistically, will be a reach but maybe a reasonable one.
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He’s doing AP History and Computer Science - so he’s got other skills.
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Has he or will he take AP in English? Will he have 3 years foreign language ? Any AP lab science or at least bio, chem and physics or other lab science ?
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You may want to consider Erica Meltzer’s SAT book. Both our daughters used that to prepare for the reading and writing (no tutors). One got 790 and the other got 780. D26 who got 780 is more of a STEM kid and the book really helped her.
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I think UMass-Amherst could be great, but I’d rule out UNH, URI, and U Maine, as the students we know attending those schools are only attending because they were rejected by UMass-Amherst. That’s an incredible math score!
That is making the assumption one can’t get a great education at a school with a higher acceptance rate. Both my kids proved this wrong as they attended the best fit even though both were low on selectivity vs others they got into.
OP has bigger issues. Like all, budget is first, second and third most important.
I’m sure they get into UMASS - but is it too big ? Is a smaller - even UVM, UNH small better for them ? And how big are the math classes ? In that major, you’re not going to be with dummies. It’s like engineering - if they’re advancing through the program - U Maine or U Michigan, they’re smart.
Maybe an Honors opportunity at one trumps UMass without.
Obviously OP and their son will do what best, but I hope they choose against strangling themselves with such debt. Because that’s what it is - and then the job market isn’t a sure thing - and even tougher for certain groups which this student may belong. And obviously getting a funded PhD is a tough slog.
So I hope they find the right program in size, curriculum depth, and most importantly budget.
It’s hard to tell but I feel like this is a student who - to analogies, maybe runs around the backhand to hit a forehand - meaning maybe isn’t interested or desiring Gen Ed’s. That’s where a Rochester, Vassar, Brown and more may be better but obviously aren’t happening. But a Kalamazoo, which feeds PhD programs, has great merit and minimal Gen Ed requirements. We all know someone who has struggled with non major courses.
I don’t feel I have an exact handle yet on the student but to me, it sounds like smaller might be better in regards to the day to day situation - which the student will have to navigate no matter the school name. And less required classes might be better - ie the humanities side.
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How big is your sample? Are there other reasons you have to rule them out?
My sample of UNH graduates is only one, but they ended up doing a PhD at Berkeley (not math but another stem subject).
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They are in-state. Umass-Amherst may also be better financially for OP than other public state schools.
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And yes, there are brilliant students at every school, of course!
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Some take some time to become so. The one I know went there because she had a fairly low high school GPA and couldn’t get in elsewhere (as you point out). She says the supports she got from UNH saw a sea-change in her academics.
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