<p>OK. Going to be quick. We are Catholic and he is a URM. Here is his list:</p>
<p>USC
Notre Dame
Vanderbilt
Boston College
Georgetown
Duke</p>
<p>UW gpa - 3.79
W gpa - 4.17
7-8 AP’s, 8 Honors classes. 4’s and 5’s on AP exams
33 ACT, 34 Superscored
EC’s are 3 sports and a consistent drumming resume since 6th grade. Not lot’s of clubs or leadership. Does have alot of community service hours.</p>
<p>I keep telling him he could get shut out of all of the schools on his list and should add some safety’s…he wants no part of it and believes he will get into his schools. Maybe i’m the crazy one but just don’t have a great feel for his chances. Thoughts? Help?</p>
<p>He should definitely send a music supplement with his applications since he has been drumming for so long! I think you need to convince him to add a couple safeties - not because he doesn’t have a good chance at these universities, because he does, but just in case. Some of these universities are a bit random in choosing admitted applicants, so you never know what will happen. However, you don’t have to worry too much. He has good scores, good grades, and a great passion, so just make sure he shows that in his application.</p>
<p>He’s clearly a well qualified student. None of those universities will tack his application up by the copy machine and highlight all the most ridiculous parts. He’s in the ballpark for all of them. And he’s helped by the fact that he’s a Latin young man.</p>
<p>On the other hand, you’re right. He could get shut out. He needs some safeties. Because everybody needs some safeties: a college or two where he knows he’ll be admitted, that you all know you can afford, and where he believes he has a reasonable chance of being happy and successful.</p>
<p>He should add safeties but I think he has a good shot at most of those schools as an URM with good standardized testing. GPA is a bit low but it shouldn’t hurt considering the AP courses.</p>
<p>Some schools have specific scholarships designated for URMs. I am not an expert in this area. You might search around on the websites for the universities he is considering to see what they offer. There are both need and non need based scholarships. </p>
<p>My kids did let me help them form lists. I did include an in-state safety for a couple of reasons as we are a full pay family. If something happens, somebody loses a job or gets sick, between now and May 2013, the student has an option.</p>
<p>The other thing is that usually schools that are easier to get in to have easy applications.</p>
<p>My opinion is that URM status may be a bigger boost from those who have overcome obstacles. I have only anecdotal evidence, and I would encourage your son to go for it. Good luck.</p>
<p>Love it. Half-crazy. Perfect assessment. I will really push for a couple of safeties. Any thoughts on schools that might resemble his list but be a bit more realistic?</p>
<p>Any details on what he wants to do or what it is that he finds appealing about these schools? That will help us give you some safeties. What state are you in?</p>
<p>I don’t think the list is so far out there, but as others have said, several of the schools on the list are not predictable.</p>
<p>We are in southern california. Liberal arts/ undecided at first…may go business/finance later. Wants a large enough school to get a big college experience but is shying away from the very large publics.</p>
<p>Let him apply, just insist he adds like two safeties that he would actually be happy at if he got rejected at all the schools. He is well-qualified, but they are all tough to get into…</p>
<p>The schools are not at all unrealistic. Don’t be so critical of his list. He is being realistic about his chances. However, EVERYONE NEEDS SAFETIES. In this respect, you’re right. He needs to fine two that will be financially feasible and just in case the world chooses to somehow bar him from admissions he has the safeties. I would suggest maybe one of the UC’s like Davis or Santa Barbara.</p>
<p>It is an important part of the college process to look for a school that is reasonably priced and a shoo in that still can meet ones needs and wants. Anyone can cherrypick the top schools off a list. I would approach the search for such a school in that fashion rather than telling him he is unrealistic, crazy and could get shut out of all of the schools. It’s just doing a thorough job to look at what else is available. </p>
<p>You never know what can happen senior year to make any and all of those schools problematic for admissions. It’s important to know what options at what price ranges and acceptance rates are out there.</p>
<p>I agree that safeties are essential, but if he is really anti-safety, what might be a compromise is to have your son apply EA to one or more of the schools (I think Georgetown and BC both do EA). That way, if he gets into a school EA, safeties will be moot. And if he doesn’t get in, then hopefully he’ll see the light and realize that safeties are good to have and he’ll still have time to apply to private safeties at least (this plan will take away the chance to apply to UCs, since they have a Dec. 1st deadline).</p>