Worried about college for "standard strong" DS

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Probably would go with a SUNY school. The privates mentioned here are not worth the money they cost. Hopefully he figures things out in college and can get into a good professional school. He will need to work harder in the future though!

That your opinion, and one that isn't supported by data.

What? I don’t get it. People here are so hard on great schools like Emory, Vanderbilt, and Wash U, but then have nothing but sympathy for a slacker kid who is so clearly best suited to a truly mediocre state school. What gives?! I truly never get this crowd.

WTF is wrong with you?

From the OPs post:

"Just a normal hard-working bright teenage boy who likes playing sports and "chilling" with his many friends, and likes the challenge of being surrounded by the smart kids at his school."

The OP is discussing a normal well adjusted kid, nothing like your insinuation. What gives is right, nobody will ever understand ignorant mental midgets such as the one that you see in the mirror.

The kid will do great at a SUNY if that is what they choose. SUNY's aren't mediocre, they are excellent and underappreciated schools which give zero ground to many far better known Publics. But this is a kids who has done very well and will have options, great options. Comments like yours highlight your limitations, not anybody else's.

PP here. I’m sorry, but intelligent, hard working and 3.7 GPA are not compatible. If he really is that smart, he’s just not putting in the effort of that’s really his GPA. His guidance counselor would (should) tell him the exact same if she’s honest with him.

What a dumb comment. You're questioning some kid's work ethic and intelligence based on their GPA. Really? At many elite NYC privates a 3.7 will get you into most Ivies. You have such a shallow, ignorant view of the world. This board is poisoned by low class strivers who think they know so much and are clueless. Shut up and listen and maybe you will develop some class.

Sorry, but no. NY privates are not any different from DC primates, in fact they’re probably inferior. Same rules apply and I stand by my comment! Sorry if the tough talk hurts, but I thought this was the place for honest, anonymous discussion, even if it hurts a little. This board is full of that. At least OP realizes SUNY Binghamton is probably the best place for her kid to mature and hopefully get on the right path for a professional career.

Saying someone's kid is not intelligent and does not work hard based on a 3.7 gpa is the dumbest thing in the history of the many dumb things posted on DCUM. I stand by that. But you be you.

And no, NYC TT privates are better than DC privates. Totally different world. Further proving your ignorance.

You're also likely someone who wouldn't send your kid to a SLAC. Because you know everything about everything. I'm sure you're popular at the country club cocktail parties (kidding/not kidding).

I didn’t say OP’s kid wasn’t smart. But I did say that if he is smart as OP posits AND still have a 3.7 GPA, then he is a slacker. And I stand by that and think the guidance counselor at his NY private would say the same if he or she is being honest. And no, I don’t have kids at SLACs (three of the four went to Ivies, and the other to a public but that’s because he was a slacker. And yes, we told him that often!). Anyway, nothing against SLACs in general, but the ones suggested here are not worth the money IMHO. And we do not belong to a country club, but I’m not sure why that matters.

^^And I will add, and then this will be my absolute comment on this matter, that the other leading thread in this forum at the moment is attacking a cashier for daring to wear a Yale sweatshirt! Yet somehow I’m the bad person for pointing out that a rich kid from NY is a slacker because he has a subpar GPA, which he does. Do you not see the disparity in the outrage here??!! Sorry I offended so many!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My God, OP. Your poor kid. He's in 10th grade with a solid profile -- although you don't even know his test scores yet! -- and you're already freaking out about college? He's going to be just fine. As time goes on he'll see school mates getting into various colleges and things will fall into place.

Let him enjoy high school. In the meantime, take a Xanax.

+100

All of this wailing and gnashing of teeth over these poor little "bright" students who aren't in the "genius" category -- those darn "genius" students are hogging ALL OF THE COLLEGE.

[Anonymous]

Mid-size ideas:
Lehigh
University of Rochester

Check out Pitt. Bigger school, but kids here absolutely love it!!

Maybe Syracuse?

He'll be absolutely fine. Relax and enjoy the ride!

[Anonymous]

To the OP:

Thank you for putting yourself out there and asking a fair question. I think you have an incredible child who is doing very well (though apparently not well enough for some people who can't stop using the word slacker) and sounds like a genuinely nice, well-adapted, good kid - you should be proud and you are clearly trying to do what is best for him, which is admirable.

I'm sorry this thread has been sidetracked by the typical ignorance that arises on DCUM. Hopefully you have been able to sort through the useless posts and get some helpful feedback - I think there have actually been a number of good posts mixed in.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Probably would go with a SUNY school. The privates mentioned here are not worth the money they cost. Hopefully he figures things out in college and can get into a good professional school. He will need to work harder in the future though!

That your opinion, and one that isn't supported by data.

What? I don’t get it. People here are so hard on great schools like Emory, Vanderbilt, and Wash U, but then have nothing but sympathy for a slacker kid who is so clearly best suited to a truly mediocre state school. What gives?! I truly never get this crowd.

WTF is wrong with you?

From the OPs post:

"Just a normal hard-working bright teenage boy who likes playing sports and "chilling" with his many friends, and likes the challenge of being surrounded by the smart kids at his school."

The OP is discussing a normal well adjusted kid, nothing like your insinuation. What gives is right, nobody will ever understand ignorant mental midgets such as the one that you see in the mirror.

The kid will do great at a SUNY if that is what they choose. SUNY's aren't mediocre, they are excellent and underappreciated schools which give zero ground to many far better known Publics. But this is a kids who has done very well and will have options, great options. Comments like yours highlight your limitations, not anybody else's.

PP here. I’m sorry, but intelligent, hard working and 3.7 GPA are not compatible. If he really is that smart, he’s just not putting in the effort of that’s really his GPA. His guidance counselor would (should) tell him the exact same if she’s honest with him.

What a dumb comment. You're questioning some kid's work ethic and intelligence based on their GPA. Really? At many elite NYC privates a 3.7 will get you into most Ivies. You have such a shallow, ignorant view of the world. This board is poisoned by low class strivers who think they know so much and are clueless. Shut up and listen and maybe you will develop some class.

Sorry, but no. NY privates are not any different from DC primates, in fact they’re probably inferior. Same rules apply and I stand by my comment! Sorry if the tough talk hurts, but I thought this was the place for honest, anonymous discussion, even if it hurts a little. This board is full of that. At least OP realizes SUNY Binghamton is probably the best place for her kid to mature and hopefully get on the right path for a professional career.

Saying someone's kid is not intelligent and does not work hard based on a 3.7 gpa is the dumbest thing in the history of the many dumb things posted on DCUM. I stand by that. But you be you.

And no, NYC TT privates are better than DC privates. Totally different world. Further proving your ignorance.

You're also likely someone who wouldn't send your kid to a SLAC. Because you know everything about everything. I'm sure you're popular at the country club cocktail parties (kidding/not kidding).

I didn’t say OP’s kid wasn’t smart. But I did say that if he is smart as OP posits AND still have a 3.7 GPA, then he is a slacker. And I stand by that and think the guidance counselor at his NY private would say the same if he or she is being honest. And no, I don’t have kids at SLACs (three of the four went to Ivies, and the other to a public but that’s because he was a slacker. And yes, we told him that often!). Anyway, nothing against SLACs in general, but the ones suggested here are not worth the money IMHO. And we do not belong to a country club, but I’m not sure why that matters.

Careful reading is is a lost art.

OP said their kid is at a LARGE PUBLIC SCHOOL, not a private.

The guidance counselors (and attentiveness thereof) are quite different in the two types of schools.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Apologies that I am posting as a NYC parent but this group is so helpful! My 10th gr DS it a giant NYC selective public school. I feel like he's going to fall between the cracks in college admissions. Too strong for the "awesomely average" group, not strong enough for the 4.0/1500 group. Not super interested in rah-rah and I worry he'll get lost at a giant state school, but also worry he won't find his people at a tiny LAC. Very NOT quirky. Just a normal hard-working bright teenage boy who likes playing sports and "chilling" with his many friends, and likes the challenge of being surrounded by the smart kids at his school. Has a 3.7 and I'm guessing SAT will land somewhere around 1400?? At his school this is middle of the pack - about 20% of kids get into Ivy+. Best subjects are history and math, but will probably apply as a humanities major since there are so freaking many genius STEM kids. The school is so large that Naviance scattergrams look like a giant ink blot and literally everything appears to be a reach. Anyone here have a kid with a comparable profile? We will of course apply to many SUNYs, but want a solid list of privates as well. We are fortunate to be able to pay in full.

MY advice is more general

- Academically dig in a little more to history and math potential major and how that ties into quality of program, alumni, and post graduation plans when building the list. My kid applied with social science area as potential major and also enjoyed math but didn’t have the heavy STEM background to be sure about it as a major or for it to help versus hurt by putting that as intnded major. I think 100% that being at a SLAC made it easier to make the decision to major in math and be in environment where they weren’t starting behind by only taking AP Calc in high school. That said, now looking for a job and not grad school, they wish they had done Math/Econ or something else with Math to help in the job hunt and even the internship experiences prior.

- Socially your kid can probably make it work at a larger school or a medium size SLAC. First they have to decide Greek Life or not. Then how do people not in Greek life either by choice or didn’t get a bid where they wanted or with friends - how are they making friends, finding roommates, being social etc. and does that feel likely for your son if he went there? I wasn’t in Greek Life at what felt like a Greek heavy school and there were times it felt tough. I think the location of not having much to get to without a car off campus gave Greek parties even more social importance. My kids wanted to be more suburban/urban and went for schools where many different people could thrive and you didn’t have to be one way to fit in.


- As for suggested schools, I would have made similar suggestions about American/GW, Pitt, Syracuse, University of Rochester, Richmond, if willing to attend Catholic school look at some of the Catholic colleges on the east Coast, and consider if open to any mid-west colleges.

Above PP has a point regarding understanding where various liberal arts majors may lead to. If your son is interested in humanities and social sciences, also consider English and Political Science. These are other classic liberal arts majors. I believe English is short of male majors. Regarding history, I'd check to make sure your kid had areas/periods of specific interest and that the school supports them well. Review the departmental websites and look at faculty count and bios. In my opinion, the departments are too small at some SLACs for you to have access to a large variety of classes and faculty. That can be a risk if you end up not vibing with the department chair or key gatekeeping professors.

I know you are leery of big schools but the University of Michigan likes your DS's high school and New Yorkers. Just started ED and may still allow TO. DCUM says that private DMV school students don't have to have the 3.8 that seems to be the typical cutoff line for in-staters. (My son is in-state LSA social sciences and was around 3.9 unweighted). There will probably be an AO visiting your school as well as college fairs. Definitely try to do that if of interest.

I know that DMV kids tend to have 1500+ SATs but there may be wiggle room for your high school Michigan. Your kid would certainly get into Michigan State if that's of interest.

Michigan has a "Residential College" that offers a four year living experience while getting a liberal arts degree with special seminars and course requirements. Look into that if interested in a more SLAC-like experience.

Michigan is a purple state with a female Democrat Governor (and not the first either). Pete Buttigieg lives here now. The two big universities have lots of kids from Oakland County which is a demographically affluent county similar to Montgomery County, Maryland.

This is a random idea but it aligns with the interest pattern and possible hooks. Also your kid's credentials would line up well with in-state students. Michigan kids are smart but we don't have relentless grinding and SAT prep norms in many of our school districts. Simply put, it's a quite different environment from high-competition areas like DMV and NYC top publics.

PPs advice is generally solid though Michigan centric. Their comment about SLACs is solidly off base but typical among those who have no actual experience with SLACs

He’d kid isn’t getting into Michigan. Unless he improves his grades and scores much higher than a 1400.

[Anonymous]

There are so many kids with this kind of SAT and profile out there. Your kid's profile happens to be the same as the average kid at my DC's private school. I would not worry about finding a place where your DC will fit in, OP. He will is generally fit in and find his people at so many different places. Just about any state school or moderately selective private college would be a great fit. It is the quirky kids who need to search more carefully to find their people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we changed the title of this thread to "Interested in suggestions of colleges for "standard strong" DS" I think we would be having a much better conversation and I think that is what the OP meant.

OP: Yes! Oh my goodness. I didn't mean I was chewing my nails. It's more that I get waves of "wow, X's kid who aced Calc 3 in middle school and got a 1590 SAT just got rejected from a T30, where the heck will my kid go?" I absolutely appreciate that I have a normal bright well-adjusted kid, I really do.

And I don't have a problem with SUNY schools. I think I'm secretly hoping he'll wind up at Binghamton. But we can full pay (I feel like I mentioned this?), so we are going to cast a broader net. Whether certain private schools are "worth it" is a discussion we can have down the line.

Thank you. You sound like a very reasonable person and it seems like there is fortunately some good advice here mixed in with some garbage. And you did mention that you can do full pay. After four years at an SHSAT school I think a private school might be good for your kid vs. a SUNY, though it depends on the private. Did they go to public K-8?

TY. And I kind of agree about the private vs SUNY although, as I said, I have no problem at all with SUNYs and if that winds up being the route he takes, great. We know many, many, kids doing well at Binghamton and Stonybrook. Less so the other SUNYs.

He did go to K - 8 public and he/we were very happy with it. We never really looked at private schools, mostly for financial reasons, and also because we were fortunate to have very good public options all along. I really don't regret the HS choice even if it means a harder road for college admissions (though we would have LOVED the option of Elro or Beacon- damn DOE lottery).

My wife went to Stuy, I have several friends who went to Townsend Harris. I got you, friend.

Maybe also look at SUNY Geneseo.

UMass, UConn. Clark U in Worcester. William and Mary. Swarthmore and Haverford.

Absolutely look at Cornell via the statutory colleges. It’s a very different situation for in state kids from NYC specialized high schools. My neighbor was one.

A friends kid with similar situation (Brooklyn Tech) went to CUNY Macaulay Honors College and it was a good match.

You are not starting too early. We started sophomore year and had a relaxed time touring and visiting potential schools. It’s a lot to cram into one summer or two spring breaks. Give time to think and let questions breathe.

[Anonymous]

I haven’t had time to read the full 8 pages. I have a similar son. He is leaning NE liberal vibe, with sunshine!

CMC. The contiguous consortium is 8000 students, but he will likely find his people easily at smaller CMC with so many like himself. Can take classes at Harvey Mudd for math/engineering. Pomona for history. The club sports are awesome. The vibe is social. The food options are terrific. It is very well funded with amazing resources added each year. And the alumni network will get him hooked up in any industry. LAC size classes and professor relationships. Mid-size private university sweet spot.

For a kid like yours, it will tick a lot of boxes. ED might be necessary, so I would tour as a junior to see if that would work for him.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we changed the title of this thread to "Interested in suggestions of colleges for "standard strong" DS" I think we would be having a much better conversation and I think that is what the OP meant.

OP: Yes! Oh my goodness. I didn't mean I was chewing my nails. It's more that I get waves of "wow, X's kid who aced Calc 3 in middle school and got a 1590 SAT just got rejected from a T30, where the heck will my kid go?" I absolutely appreciate that I have a normal bright well-adjusted kid, I really do.

And I don't have a problem with SUNY schools. I think I'm secretly hoping he'll wind up at Binghamton. But we can full pay (I feel like I mentioned this?), so we are going to cast a broader net. Whether certain private schools are "worth it" is a discussion we can have down the line.

Thank you. You sound like a very reasonable person and it seems like there is fortunately some good advice here mixed in with some garbage. And you did mention that you can do full pay. After four years at an SHSAT school I think a private school might be good for your kid vs. a SUNY, though it depends on the private. Did they go to public K-8?

TY. And I kind of agree about the private vs SUNY although, as I said, I have no problem at all with SUNYs and if that winds up being the route he takes, great. We know many, many, kids doing well at Binghamton and Stonybrook. Less so the other SUNYs.

He did go to K - 8 public and he/we were very happy with it. We never really looked at private schools, mostly for financial reasons, and also because we were fortunate to have very good public options all along. I really don't regret the HS choice even if it means a harder road for college admissions (though we would have LOVED the option of Elro or Beacon- damn DOE lottery).

My wife went to Stuy, I have several friends who went to Townsend Harris. I got you, friend.

Maybe also look at SUNY Geneseo.

UMass, UConn. Clark U in Worcester. William and Mary. Swarthmore and Haverford.

Absolutely look at Cornell via the statutory colleges. It’s a very different situation for in state kids from NYC specialized high schools. My neighbor was one.

A friends kid with similar situation (Brooklyn Tech) went to CUNY Macaulay Honors College and it was a good match.

You are not starting too early. We started sophomore year and had a relaxed time touring and visiting potential schools. It’s a lot to cram into one summer or two spring breaks. Give time to think and let questions breathe.

Some good suggestions but he should have a shot at the top tier SUNYs, not Geneseo. Cornell will be a big stretch so I would actively manage expectations but not crazy.

And if money is not a huge issue, a kid like this shouldn't go to Macaulay. Great school and a wonderful social mobility provider for those who can't afford more but I think this kid would thrive in a more traditional college environment rather than at what basically is a commuter school (my dad went to CCNY ages ago and I know tons of highly accomplished people who did, so I'm not hating on CUNY). Get out of the NYC bubble.

[Anonymous]

Poor kid is in 10th grade

[Anonymous]

It’s way early to predict. Maybe look at the Jesuit schools for good size, great community and not as hard admit rate. Fordham, USD, Loyola Marymount, Fairfield, Loyola MD, Santa Clara, Chapman types. The dream schools book by Jeff Selingo might be a good read too.

Those saying Davidson, W&L and Richmond are a bit off. Those schools have 25% and under admit rates now.

Take top classes, get good greats, have solid testing and ECs w leadership roles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we changed the title of this thread to "Interested in suggestions of colleges for "standard strong" DS" I think we would be having a much better conversation and I think that is what the OP meant.

OP: Yes! Oh my goodness. I didn't mean I was chewing my nails. It's more that I get waves of "wow, X's kid who aced Calc 3 in middle school and got a 1590 SAT just got rejected from a T30, where the heck will my kid go?" I absolutely appreciate that I have a normal bright well-adjusted kid, I really do.

And I don't have a problem with SUNY schools. I think I'm secretly hoping he'll wind up at Binghamton. But we can full pay (I feel like I mentioned this?), so we are going to cast a broader net. Whether certain private schools are "worth it" is a discussion we can have down the line.

Thank you. You sound like a very reasonable person and it seems like there is fortunately some good advice here mixed in with some garbage. And you did mention that you can do full pay. After four years at an SHSAT school I think a private school might be good for your kid vs. a SUNY, though it depends on the private. Did they go to public K-8?

TY. And I kind of agree about the private vs SUNY although, as I said, I have no problem at all with SUNYs and if that winds up being the route he takes, great. We know many, many, kids doing well at Binghamton and Stonybrook. Less so the other SUNYs.

He did go to K - 8 public and he/we were very happy with it. We never really looked at private schools, mostly for financial reasons, and also because we were fortunate to have very good public options all along. I really don't regret the HS choice even if it means a harder road for college admissions (though we would have LOVED the option of Elro or Beacon- damn DOE lottery).

My wife went to Stuy, I have several friends who went to Townsend Harris. I got you, friend.

Maybe also look at SUNY Geneseo.

UMass, UConn. Clark U in Worcester. William and Mary. Swarthmore and Haverford.

Absolutely look at Cornell via the statutory colleges. It’s a very different situation for in state kids from NYC specialized high schools. My neighbor was one.

A friends kid with similar situation (Brooklyn Tech) went to CUNY Macaulay Honors College and it was a good match.

You are not starting too early. We started sophomore year and had a relaxed time touring and visiting potential schools. It’s a lot to cram into one summer or two spring breaks. Give time to think and let questions breathe.

Some good suggestions but he should have a shot at the top tier SUNYs, not Geneseo. Cornell will be a big stretch so I would actively manage expectations but not crazy.

And if money is not a huge issue, a kid like this shouldn't go to Macaulay. Great school and a wonderful social mobility provider for those who can't afford more but I think this kid would thrive in a more traditional college environment rather than at what basically is a commuter school (my dad went to CCNY ages ago and I know tons of highly accomplished people who did, so I'm not hating on CUNY). Get out of the NYC bubble.

Geneseo, the SUNY LAC is a great school.

[Anonymous]

My kid with a very similar profile is very happy at UConn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t had time to read the full 8 pages. I have a similar son. He is leaning NE liberal vibe, with sunshine!

CMC. The contiguous consortium is 8000 students, but he will likely find his people easily at smaller CMC with so many like himself. Can take classes at Harvey Mudd for math/engineering. Pomona for history. The club sports are awesome. The vibe is social. The food options are terrific. It is very well funded with amazing resources added each year. And the alumni network will get him hooked up in any industry. LAC size classes and professor relationships. Mid-size private university sweet spot.

For a kid like yours, it will tick a lot of boxes. ED might be necessary, so I would tour as a junior to see if that would work for him.

Good luck!

Never in a million years will a public school kid with a 3.7 and ~1400 SAT get into CMC.