Colleges for A- students????

Longhaul
Tue, 11 Sep 2012 13:38:13 +0000

My son is an A-/B+ student.

There is a great variance depending on the HS and SAT/ACT/AP scores.

We personally know of B student from a boarding school that was excepted to 4 out of his 6 colleges, all top 10 school.

We know of kids from our town with 4.3, A + and just above average SAT scores that were denied at top 30 schools.

With many high schools having grade inflation, it is difficult with the limited information to recommend schools. Is the A- on the 93-100 scale? Is it weighted? Does your school rank? Many variables.

I know my son has a varied list of LACs and Universities with US News rankings from 4-75. He didn’t pay attention to the rankings, but focused on schools that “fit” him in learning style and socially. He also looked at, but has opted not to apply, to reginonally ranked schools.

Trinity U in San Antonio is a fantastic academic school that just doesn’t make the almighty US News cut onto the National ranked lists.

It is an overwhelming process. Start with self-reflection. How best do you learn? What makes for a comfortable living environment for you? Where do your stats match? Do you need merit or aid? If yes, start with financial guaranteed safeties. For example, Alabama has non-competitive merit scholarships for 3.5 GPA and certain level of SAT/ACT (varies depending on the merit). A CR/M SAT of 1400 and 3.5 GPA will get full tuition.

I disagree with Elle - Because of our family finances less selective LACs are not the best schools for our son. This is a very personal journey. The journey is a family journey because a student must depend upon the parents finances until age 24 if aid is required.