<p>Have you looked at the University of Rochester? Very good science/ engineering. I think I read somewhere (I think on the University of Rochester thread on CC, in a post from the previous admissions rep) that they are open to “pointy” kids – e.g., they don’t necessarily expect kids to be super strong in everything. Your son must be getting pretty good grades in English/ history in addition to science classes to be in the top 5% so that would help as well. My understanding is that for Rochester, there is a real benefit to applying early decision – they openly state that they read ED applications in the best possible light.</p>