College Choices for Average Student?

northeastmom
Thu, 11 Oct 2007 08:41:06 +0000

First of all, Kharts has not posted on this thread for a some time. It was revived by giglo last month bc giglo has a son who has a gpa of 2.9 with pretty good SAT scores.



since the publication of Loren Pope’s book, it seems that these schools are also tougher to get into – most of them expecting gpas of 3.7 plus high sats.



As far as this thinking goes, a 3.7 is not a 3.7 everywhere. Be careful. I recently attended an info session in the south. There were several students and their families there from the northeast. It was kind of strange bc only one student was there from the state where this school is located. Several questions about stats were asked. The admissions officer stated that in their state there is gade inflation. He stated that other areas of the country (he was speaking broadly bc naturally there are so-so high schools, and much more competitive high schools everywhere) there is little grade inflation. This school does take those differences into account. My point is that you should not underestimate the 2.9, and his SAT scores are not bad. I don’t want to encourage reaching for inapporpriate schools, but this gpa might not be so horrible, depending upon your son’s high school.

Giglo, you also go on to say that you do not want a state school bc it will give him opportunity to goof off. Frankly, there are temptations everywhere. In the end it will be up to your son to buckle down and seek help. My son attends a state school. He has to work or he will be on academic probation, and ultimately kicked out. Believe me, he does his work. State schools are not necessarily “easier” than private schools.