Early Decision Dilemma

Mom_El
Tue, 20 Nov 2007 22:14:48 +0000

My son was one of the high school seniors who received the email that RPI erroneously sent out in September. He was congratuated for being a Rensselaer medal winner. Medal winners receive a guaranteed $15,000 per year scholarship. We were excited. We had not considered RPI before, although my son is a natural at Physics. He had not received the medal RPI retracted their email. We then received another email, apologizing and saying that if my son was accepted to RPI and decided to attend, he would be guaranteed the same $15,000 per year “leadership” scholarship. WE took a look at RPI and my son liked it, but is unsure if he wants to attend a “science” school. He thinks he wants a broader curriculum. We did a little more research and found the STS major, which is much closer to liberal arts, but wiith a science bent. RPI is a great school, with amazing facilities. My son is a bit leary of the “nerd” factor and the lack of females…but he is seriously considering RPI and does intend to apply. He doesn’t really have a first choice, He’s just not sure what he wants. But he does think that he “could” be happy there.Then I saw on this site that the “leadership scholarship” is only if you apply early decision. We missed the first early decision deadline, but there is a 2nd one for January 1.

MY son has very good SAT’s 780 verbal and 670 math, but his grades are not stellar. He doesn’t do homework, and only has a 2.9 GPA. Still, princteon review’s college search predicts RPI as a match school and RPI contacts him frequently by email. My son intends to apply and I think he will be accepted.

RPI is about $8,000 per year. Even with the $15,000 per year scholarship, It may not be do-able. I’d like to see what other schools will offer and take the best package.
Im worried that if we apply early decision, we have spoiled our opportunity to see what other schools will give and if if we apply regular decision, we will lose the $15,000 and get less aid and that other schools won’t come through.
Then we’ll be in a real mess.

WHAT TO DO???