<p>Straight A, 4.0 GPA, Lots of AP classes around 12 altogether, expecting mostly 5’s, decent SAT (first try - around 2150 , 800 in Math), 3 SAT subject tests all 800 - math, physics, Spanish.<br>
Not many extra curriculars (has a few sports and a few music accolades). No significant community service or leadership oriented achievements.
No NHS or student council or significant awards. Completed a few research papers on astronomy, linear algebra and magnetism.
Given the above profile, (assuming location is not an issue) what are the kind of colleges one should look into?</p>
<p>Look into the tech schools which are numbers-driven, such as Cal Tech, RPI, Harvey Mudd, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Carnegie Mellon, Virginia Tech. Also University of Chicago.</p>
<p>Intended major? Budget? Based on your students goals the above schools are good bets however GA Tech, Michigan & VA Tech (for example) are not known for merit, even on the high end although all are relative bargains for instate students. Schools like Alabama and Auburn offer substantial merit for NMF or high GPA/SAT with no consideration of ECs.</p>
<p>Mathematics or Computer Science Engineering are the intended majors.</p>
<p>What do you mean “Completed a few research papers on astronomy, linear algebra and magnetism.”?</p>
<p>Papers for class assignments? Or did the research and published the papers?</p>
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<p>Actually, Caltech cares a great deal about EC’s, and they have to be in the math/science area. Having the numbers is where they start.</p>
<p>As DS went through Caltech app with competitive numbers and as a recruited athlete, admissions was quite clear that they required significant math and science related ECs for acceptance.</p>
<p>Sounds a lot like my older son - similar grades, scores and interests. He had state medals in Science Olympiad, active on Academic Team, computer programming experience including being thanked on a scientific paper. (It wasn’t enough to get him into Caltech or MIT though he was deferred from both into the regular round, so presumably he made the first cut.) Stanford was a no too.</p>
<p>He got into Harvard (legacy), Carnegie Mellon (SCS was all he applied to), RPI and WPI, and was waitlisted at Harvey Mudd. </p>
<p>Schools that got eliminated (not necessarily for good reasons) - Cornell, Berkeley, Rice, U of Ill, Georgia Tech, Princeton and various midwest tech schools which would have been fine safeties.</p>
<p>UIUC can be a good safety for CS.</p>
<p>Also consider Hopkins. Science oriented and with engineering. Significant admissions boost with ED.</p>
<p>My physics major kid is quite happy there.</p>
<p>Seriously consider state flagship, as well.</p>
<p>Cornell. Good computer science program, also a math major with a computer science emphasis, which might be interesting. And you’re surrounded by people with an incredible variety of interests, not just other tech people.</p>
<p>Also, they care more about grades than SAT scores when it comes to admissions.</p>
<p>Sounds like a perfect match for Cornell. The beauty of Cornell is that the math/science/tech kid will be on campus with kids who are studying everything. That is one of the most special characteristics of a Cornell education in my opinion.</p>
<p>^ the same goes for Stanford, but it is harder to get in…</p>
<p>Mathmom</p>
<p>Why did BErkeley and georgia tech get eliminated? Was always under the impression they are interested in such students (science olympiads, thanked research papers, etc)</p>
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<p>Does this mean University of Chicago is numbers-driven?</p>
<p>^U of Chicago is not numbers driven in our experience.</p>
<p>When we explored GA Tech last year admissions was very clear about a shift over the last five years to holistic admissions. This is a departure for them and he made a point of stating 50% is stats (GPA, rank, SAT/ACT), and 50% was LORs, essays, ECs, awards, etc. </p>
<p>My son did not apply so that’s where my intel ends. Perhaps someone else could offer more/refute. I thought it was worth adding to the conversation.</p>
<p>In our experience VT is very numbers driven. Those numbers are also very regional.</p>
<p>OP you said assuming location was not an issue. Does that mean you can be full pay for OOS or privates schools? Or you don’t mind your child being in another state? :)</p>
<p>Some of this will depend upon whether you’ll be chasing merit scholarship or need based financial aid . (Note that most families don’t qualify for nearly as much as they’d need. See EFC calculators online for ballpark). Most of the very top schools only offer need based FA, not merit $. </p>
<p>If merit scholarship is important, take a look at Case in Cleveland. They have strong engineering programs and gave son a generous merit scholarship offer.</p>