My son transferred to an elite prep school during pandemic junior year. He previously had a 3.8 GPA but a 3.0 junior year due to a rough transition. 99 percentile test scores. Can he still apply ED (interested in Tulane, Fordham, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Miami, Elon, Southern Methodist University) Or does he need to wait till RD to show improved grades? ECs good, not outstanding. Or should he majorly re-adjust?
No one really knows. High school class of '22 had school close down in mid-March of their sophomore year, then go remote. Some got back in the classroom for some of junior year. They didn’t have the same learning experience as those who preceded them, nor did they have the opportunity to do the same ECs. Some moved to online ECs, some didn’t (and honestly, the online ECs were a totally different ballgame than in-person ECs).
The 99th percentile test scores should help. He might be able to write in the “How I spent my pandemic vacation” section of the Common App about the challenges of the rough transition, or even somehow make it the uplifting, optimistic, clever focus or sidepoint of his Common App essay.
I think that you are targeting the right schools for an ED application for him (except for Tulane), assuming money is no issue. Even if he doesn’t get in ED, they might defer him and see how his first semester senior year goes. And a stellar first semester of senior year will definitely help his regular applications immensely, if he can do it.
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For schools that are EA you are likely smarter to apply that way. ED means you better be willing to pay.
In RD there is no guarantee they’ll want first semester grades. And some schools only have early apps. Others with later RD have limited slots.
If it were me, I’d apply early action. But I’d make sure I added a safety school as a fallback such as Arizona or Alabama…both solid schools with huge out of state contingents making them geographically diverse. Indiana another. Colorado State as a CU sub. Or Utah/Oregon. Tampa as a Miami sub. Or a college of Charleston or Coastal Carolina.
You have a bit of a mix of schools. Elon smaller and while not far from cities, it’s near nothing. And then a CU….large. Or Miami in society…unlike Elon. Or a Hofstra in addition to Fordham. What’s your state flagship?
While I think you’ll have a hard time with the current list, I’d still pursue if it’s the dream. But what I’m saying is you might also use your 20 common app spots. Sounds like money isn’t an issue but if you get on email lists you’ll get free apps. And many schools don’t have extra essays. What I’m saying is it’s little effort to apply to schools…like Tampa. So continue down your path even though it may be unlikely…such as Miami. But add others that are lower in selectivity and use your slots. A Bradley in ILL, SteTson and Eckerd in Florida, some wonderful state flagships, many with a low cost or big aid….maximize your chances.
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Thanks, very helpful both. Alabama, Arizona and Indiana all sound like good options . He prefers warmer climates and to be near a city. He mentioned U Tampa, but I was concerned both about housing and the strength of their academics. Do you know about the quality of them?
He has his heart set on Miami and will apply ED, but hope he can find other places that excite him. I thought Charleston might excite him, but not yet. The junior year grades are an aberration, but that is what the record is.
Miami is his dream - and he should apply - but it’s unlikely. It’s just reality. The test score will help.
Again, you have 20 slots - so my daughter will attend Charleston. Rank wise, it was 16th of 17th admittances. She loved it and American the most. Charleston is free tuition (with all the aid) and AU was much more. So it’s win win.
You don’t comment on money but I assume elite private school you’ll pay whatever. That helps anywhere - but you know, spending all that is unnecessary. Tampa, by the way, was the lower ranked school than Charleston although it’s similar. They had an over enrollment problem this year. That does say something - that people want to go there. I don’t think it’s a bad school but their outcomes aren’t great I know. But I’m sure plenty of people do well.
Depending on what he wants to study, Florida Tech on the other coast is under rated. And then you have Rollins, Eckerd, Stetson, etc. They are smaller. Elon, btw - not in a city - there’s nothing there although the campus is nice. Fordham - not warm - but i mentioned Hofstra because it’s solid and near the city.
So Charleston is in the city school - and unlike Miami (which my daughter got into with $25K merit), there’s stuff to do there. Similar to Miami but a tad below is Denver - but that’s not warm - but either is Fordham or Colorado.
In Florida, you have FSU and UF - which like Miami - likely won’t happen. Maybe FSU - but it’s huge. UCF is really big and USF. In Bama, you have Auburn and Alabama - Bama much more diverse. In SC, you have U of SC (not an easy admit) in addition to Charleston and Coastal. Arkansas is in Fayetteville, very cool town nearby lots of nature.
Again, he’s only going to one but he need to have “options” just in case - so he’s not being forced but he does need to apply to schools he can see himself at - and as a dad, you have to do your best to ensure he doesn’t fall in love with just one - because ultimately it’s not his choice - it’s the school’s and the person footing the bill.
Others that could work warm wise, LSU, New Mexico, Loyola New Orleans - don’t know your religious aspect but they cross register with Tulane which is on his list, UAH (mid size tech focused in Alabama), UT Chattanooga, UVM (cold but city and nature vibe combined), Mercer, Florida Gulf Coast.
What’s he likely to study? Does he really want city and warmth because his list doesn’t necessarily say that.
He may get into a Fordham, etc. especially if his ACT is 35 or SAT 1550 like you hint (99th percentile).
But there are so many publics that would work - large and medium size - AZ and ASU are slam dunks, IU is a great school but warmer is Bama and UAH (for small) and UTC for a smaller city school. UNC Asheville is another great choice for liberal arts. Charleston gets you the known brand name, the city - so it’s a great choice.
There’s all the Florida privates (a bit smaller) but even schools like Christopher Newport or Randolph Macon are solid. There’s tons of privates he can get into - from Tampa to U of Pacific to Quinnipiac to smaller ones, etc. Or a WVU is a great option. Maybe Miami of Ohio, U of TN…I mean the list is endless for him.
Would he excel at small? Hendrix, Rhodes, Tennessee Tech (mid)…i mean, the lists go on and on where he will get into.
He’ll be fine if he doesn’t fall in love with one. But you need to narrow in on major, true weather (because he lists cold schools) and does he really want city (because all yours aren’t). I hope he gets into Miami. Perhaps Fordham or Elon or more likely.
But he, not the college, will determine his success.
Very helpful. He does want warm (preferably Fla) and at least access to a city, despite the few on the original list. Tampa, central florida, south Florida, Rollins and Evkerd -have all also been recommended in Fla but hard to tell what their outcomes and edicatiinal experience is. He is “interested in STEM” but not more precise than that. Also agree that we don’t want to overpay.
Is there a strong reason to prefer ASU vs U of A? And either over Alabama? He did also want school spirit and Greek life.
Thanks for taking the time and congrats to your daughter on Charleston. Seems like a great college and city!
So if Miami is his dream school - and maybe I’m wrong - and he gets in - but you need to find schools that can meet his needs. If it is warm weather and access to a city, then you need to rearrange.
Also, when you say STEM, note that some STEM majors have horrible outcomes - Biology for one…whereas an engineering or computer science can be great.
So Miami is a mid size school adjacent to a city - with spirit and social life.
So then you have UF and FSU - FSU is going to be easier to get into but not easy - especially OOS. Of course, these are large. The test score will help in Florida as it is required. You also have USF (Tampa), UCF (Orlando), FIU (Miami), FGCU (Fort Myers), and FAU (Boca) - all have some semblance of what he’s seeking although they are larger.
Tampa, Florida Tech, and Embry Riddle may work for him. Yes, Tampa’s outcomes don’t seem great. But my son had a great internship this Summer. He busted his hump applying. I think it’s the same anywhere - some kids will be fine -it’s up to the kid. Nothing will be handed to him. Add Rollins and Stetson. Florida Tech and Embry Riddle are aviation focused as well - if he has an interest - but Florida Tech has a lot more. Nice campus, good food. It does have a lot of international - but it is close to the beach and Orlando.
I still don’t know your state (thinking flagship - for example, if you lived in New Hampshire or something) - but other “somewhat warm” schools - again would be Alabama / Auburn / UAH - he’d get into all three. You could add UAB too. All have greek and some sports (UAH is hockey for example) and is mid size - all these are in/near some town.
UTK is one he can get in. Kentucky. U Cincinnati…now i’m escaping warmth. UT Chattanooga is in the city and UNC Asheville is in a very cool city. I had mentioned Charleston - right in the city, good greek life, Strong girl:guy ratio which any male would love. Arizona and Arizona State both great. I prefer Arizona - Tucson is a bit more temperate and it’s one campus - ASU has many. The Honors dorm at Arizona is AWESOME with a dining hall at the bottom and gym/mental health center next door. ASU’s Honors college is one of the top rated.
UGA is unlikely for your son - but Georgia State/Kennesaw State are city adjacent, etc.
I think you need to go tour schools - there are schools you’ll get into.
Look for their outcomes on the web or contact career services. Yes, some are better than other - but your son will definitely have choices and who knows perhaps Miami. The other Miami could be great too for him - but cold - well actually it’s in the middle of nowhere so scratch that. But not sure how religious you are, but Furman in Greenville, SC, Ogelthorpe in Atlanta (small)…UNC Charlotte, U of New Mexico. You already mentioned Boulder which is great…why not Colorado State? I’d look at Arkansas…you’d be surprised and amazed.
You can find schools on niche with no app fees or essays required - so at some point you start applying and hoping for aid - i.e. Bradley in Illinois.
But you will find a school in Florida, Alabama, the Carolians, etc. Take some trips and see what he likes area, size wise, etc. He’ll have lots of opportunities - and there are strong science schools all over.
Good luck.
Thanks so much!
ASU and U of A have VERY different cultures. I would advise visiting them during the school year to get a feel. ASU is considerably more urban. The Tempe campus (main one) largely self contained but it is split between Tempe and downtown phoenix depending on your major a bit. The downtown campus is an urban campus (in one general place but there are downtown folks walking around and working). If it is in strong consideration, check which majors are where.
U of A is more of a traditional state flagship type school like University of Nebraska or Florida State. While most would say it is in a city (about 500,000 people), it has a decidedly small town feeling among the non college residents. And Tucson has a western vibe closer to a Texas feeling than anything in California. U of A seems to draw a lot of Californians.
ASU students tend to meld into the Phoenix community wherever they fit and are indistinguishable from the general population. U of A students are decidedly college students and seen as a separate segment of society.
They are both good choices for a high quality education for someone whose high school grades do not show their true potential. Neither is cut throat academically. They are huge schools and there will a good percentage of partiers at both schools.
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VCU would be a safety/target in an urban area. Maybe U of SC too.
I don’t know on RD vs EA. RD might help some, but maybe apply to some safeties EA so he can get an early acceptance to reduce stress.
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@Theaterforme @Sweetgum
Appreciate the information and suggestions. Thanks!!