ACT Scores [33 but 30 in math interested in "STEM"]

If his math score stays the same on a retest, Engineering may not be the best path. Students transfer out of Engineering more than any other major. With high school grade inflation, so many kids have As in math because of 2nd, 3rd and 4th chances on homework & tests. They get to college, things get real, and the Cs and Ds start coming.

You son had super high scores in other areas. He can likely be in the very top tier of other majors. Just something to consider.

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FromCornell Faq. - ambiguous as to grad. You’ll have to ask.

https://cornelladmissions.happyfox.com/kb/article/49-do-applicants-who-are-direct-descendants-of-cornell-university-graduates-have-a-better-chance-of-admission/

Yes, Cornell counts that as legacy. However, there have been calls from within in the university for at least two years to end legacy preference entirely. As it is, the university says they only consider legacy in ED rounds.

In my experience with alumni meetings, the only legacy students that I’ve seen accepted recently had a second hook of some kind or were national award winners.

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Cornell Engineering is tough, not just to get in but to stay in the engineering majors. OTOH, there are some very interesting STEMmy majors in CALS that might be worth thinking about. For example, Food Science | CALS is very interesting and has great career prospects; if he particularly likes chem, it could be a great fit. (And not something that’s available at the LAC’s, even the ones that have engineering.) Maybe something to look at if he decides to consider an ED/legacy application. There’s also a Biological Engineering major in CALS that is very chem-heavy.

Given his attraction to the liberal arts… is he at all interested in art & architectural history and conservation/preservation/restoration? These are fields that require a broad range of interests and strengths, because you need a strong background in the artistic and historical aspects, but you also need a very strong chem foundation (a requirement that deters many an art lover from the conservation/preservation fields!). Perhaps not in his wheelhouse at all, but thought it was worth mentioning in case.

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Smaller schools (below about 5k) in the northeast with engineering makes me think:

  • Lafayette (Seconding this PA one)
  • Union (Seconding this NY one)
  • Bucknell (PA )
  • Lehigh (PA )
  • Fairfield (CT)
  • Merrimack (MA)
  • Ohio Northern
  • U. of Hartford (CT)
  • Widener (PA )
  • Wilkes (PA )
  • Clarkson (NY)
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My son decided not to pursue engineering. I thought I would update his results as they come in just in case this helps future applicants. Rejected ED from Williams. Likely letter from William and Mary, accepted to UVM Honors College with merit money that brings the cost down to 35k, and UMASS. Waiting on 8 more and will update later in March.

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Congratulations to your son on all of his current acceptances, and thanks so much for updating us. Looking forward to finding out where he decides to attend!

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Congratulations, what great results so far :star_struck:
Thank you for updqting us now. Fingers crossed :crossed_fingers: for late March!
This thread will be very educational and interesting to Class '25 students, too.

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Accepted to the University of Rochester

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Congratulations ! It’s a terrific university :tada::muscle::clap:
He’s now in the best position - making a choice when there’s no wrong choice. :slightly_smiling_face:
Does he have preferences?

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Waiting on seven schools so I think he is ignoring the fact that he has to make a decision until he knows all of his results.

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He was accepted at Colby, Carleton and Lafayette. Waitlisted at Bowdoin.

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Nice! And very different environments, all with the LAC strengths.
Are they affordable or is the FAFSA mess keeping them from releasing any financial aid info?

We get some financial aid and they based it all on the profile I think. Carleton says fa plus merit and is the cheapest of the privates so that will be a factor. I am calling on monday to see what is fa and what is merit and is it for all four years etc? Once our daughter gets out of college I imagine they will take the FA portion away.

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Accepted to Hamilton. Now he has to figure out where to go. At the moment the top five are Carleton, Hamilton, Colby, WIlliam and Mary, and University of Rochester.

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Incredibly happy for you and your son! What a great selection from which to choose!

If you don’t mind me asking, did he retake the ACT to raise his math score? I only ask because we are in almost the same boat: a 34 comp including a 30 math.

No. I would recommend doing it. He is my third kid and I didn’t feel like pushing him. I think it can help to have a higher score and if you are asking this now your child has the time to get it done. Best of luck!

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