Risks of attending a “Reach” school

[Anonymous]

Any cautionary tales or pleasant surprises if your not great student got in and attended his or her “reach” schools?

My son is NOT a good student. Probably above average intelligence, but has ADHD and doesn’t work hard. Math is especially difficult. He managed a 3.4uw GPA but with quite a few summer school classes. We were nervous and applied to 15 schools!

So far, he’s gotten into 7 schools. Everyone he heard from so far was a yea. These are the sort that take >75% or more, so not unexpected. One gem is a truly great fit and gave him merit to get closer to in-state cost.

What I am worried about is him getting into 1 or more of his reaches (JMU, Pitt, VA Tech, UMD). I think that will be exciting for him and he’d enjoy the football season and the school’s name recognition among friends, but the academics would too rigorous and less support at big schools. Plus, expect no merit, so probably $50-$60k a year.

Maybe he won’t get in any, but statistically, he is likely to somehow get into one of them and now I wish he’d never applied.

[Anonymous]

From Malcolm Gladwell - there are a lot of MIT Business majors that started as STEM majors. You judge yourself with those around you - at top tier school you are likely at the bottom. He gave an example of a Brown Bio major who dropped out but in retrospect she thought if she went to UMD she'd have a PHD in the field.

if you prep him for the competition then he might better deal with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From Malcolm Gladwell - there are a lot of MIT Business majors that started as STEM majors. You judge yourself with those around you - at top tier school you are likely at the bottom. He gave an example of a Brown Bio major who dropped out but in retrospect she thought if she went to UMD she'd have a PHD in the field.

if you prep him for the competition then he might better deal with it.

Which book is this from?

[Anonymous]

there is no way in hell he is getting into UMD with a 3.4 UWGPA, so wipe that worry off your plate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From Malcolm Gladwell - there are a lot of MIT Business majors that started as STEM majors. You judge yourself with those around you - at top tier school you are likely at the bottom. He gave an example of a Brown Bio major who dropped out but in retrospect she thought if she went to UMD she'd have a PHD in the field.

if you prep him for the competition then he might better deal with it.

Heard almost the exact same thing from a department chair at our state flagship.

[Anonymous]

ADHD students tend to be very bright, but really need structure and routine to get it going. I'd focus on fit rather than perceived prestige.

[Anonymous]

I think he'll do well at the school he prefers and feels a kinship with. He will find this out during admitted student days - please don't miss them. This is when my son, who was all set to attend W&M, realized he much preferred George Washington instead!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ADHD students tend to be very bright, but really need structure and routine to get it going. I'd focus on fit rather than perceived prestige.

+1000000

[Anonymous]

He will be fine. I think if a kid can get into college and wants to go to college they can handle pretty much any of them even the top ones if the program is right. It is the getting in that is hard. The programs vary considerably but that is true at all colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From Malcolm Gladwell - there are a lot of MIT Business majors that started as STEM majors. You judge yourself with those around you - at top tier school you are likely at the bottom. He gave an example of a Brown Bio major who dropped out but in retrospect she thought if she went to UMD she'd have a PHD in the field.

Likely the other way around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From Malcolm Gladwell - there are a lot of MIT Business majors that started as STEM majors. You judge yourself with those around you - at top tier school you are likely at the bottom. He gave an example of a Brown Bio major who dropped out but in retrospect she thought if she went to UMD she'd have a PHD in the field.

if you prep him for the competition then he might better deal with it.

Sound pretty patronizing - if anything, UMD Bio is more rigorous due to the lack of a P/F option.

[Anonymous]

What are his safety and match schools?

[Anonymous]

He might get into JMU and as long as he doesn’t get sucked into the party atmosphere he can do well there!!

[Anonymous]

I’ll let you know in three years. My DD got into a huge reach so I am very worried about this. But so far so good.
I will add that because it’s more of a nerd than party school, she isn’t distracted by wanting to go out every night. Also, her roommate is pre-med, taking both bio and chem in her first semester, so that’s a good role model for her.
I am sure your son will be fine.

[Anonymous]

The classes are hard at DD's 1st year's reach school. It does somewhat depend on proposed major and natural proclivities. So many are pushed onto a STEM path, and those classes have extra hours due to lab, hard tests, hard math, etc. Whereas humanities and social science majors generally may not require as much study.