Lower GPA/high SAT- advice?

[Anonymous]

My son is a junior, is a really bright kid but neurodivergence (ASD/Adhd) seems to get in the way of him excelling at school (and his lack of effort). Has 1550 on SAT but 3.5 gpa currently. Attends small private in VA that doesn’t do weighted classes. He wants to stay within 3 hours of DC area. Some sort of science major.

Ideas what schools he should consider? I don’t want to visit UVA, Vtech, W&M if zero chance with his GPA. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Maybe W&M ED? I would hope that they would take a kid like this (smart but maybe more motivated when studying things he's interested in during college). Once you get your school's data (generally towards the end of junior year at most schools) you should be able to see how your school does.

I would not visit UVA. They require a 3.85, even with a high SAT from my kid's DC Big3 private. They have a GPA cut-off each year and don't go below it.

[Anonymous]

There are lots of possibilities for your student! Hopefully your private school will give some useful guidance. A couple ideas that come to mind: Dickinson, Muhlenberg, Skidmore (though that one is further than 3 hours away but could be a great fit). I’d also consider St. Mary’s College of MD and UMW in Virginia. Ursinus and Juniata are other smaller PA liberal arts colleges worth researching. Washington College in MD comes to mind as well (it has some really strong, hands on science programs).

All of these are generally attainable for students with a similar profile from our small DMV private school. And he may even get generous merit scholarships at several.

[Anonymous]

My DD (also ADHD) had an unweighted 3.7 (weighted 4.0) with a 1490 and applied to W&M regular decision, got waitlisted with the option to start in Spring (with Fall study abroad). I think she would likely have been admitted early decision. I think it's worth visiting and considering ED.

Other than W&M, she applied to UMW and several LACs that had potential via merit to meet in-state cost. Got in everywhere and chose one of the LACs.

[Anonymous]

If you haven’t already, I’d also suggest joining these two FB parent groups where you will get lots of useful advice and insights.

1. Parents of college bound students with learning disabilities, ADHD and ASD.

2 College admission advice for awesomely average kids (no GPAs over 3.5 and your student’s SAT is technically over the page limit, but you could still lurk and read)

[Anonymous]

Very similar to my child's profile. ED W&M if he loved it. Otherwise consider Dickinson, Macalester (ED or EA), Oberlin & Kenyon - all schools we liked and were considered targets for my kid.

[Anonymous]

Woops, I jsut saw the 3 hour distance. Definiltely consider ED to W&M, and look at Dickinson and F&M.

[Anonymous]

and EA to Vtech.

[Anonymous]

If test optional is a thing then I don't see why GPA optional shouldn't also be a thing God damn it.

[Anonymous]

Which private high school? That matters a lot.

Set up a meeting with school counselor to get some real advice. There are a lot of good options.

[Anonymous]

Any options for a similar DC who is in MD and willing to apply anywhere on east coast ? Thx!

[Anonymous]

GMU should be on the list. And Drexel. I believe both schools have special autism services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which private high school? That matters a lot.

Set up a meeting with school counselor to get some real advice. There are a lot of good options.

This is the answer. You need to figure out what a 3.5 means? Only your school counselor would know for sure.

[Anonymous]

Depends on course rigor. If he has a 3.5 in the setting of 8 or more APs (harder ones like APUSH, Calc BC, AP physics etc) in a private school with no grade inflation, then he definitely has a shot at the lower ranked Top 50 schools(especially private ones). Chances increase if applying ED and/or full pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on course rigor. If he has a 3.5 in the setting of 8 or more APs (harder ones like APUSH, Calc BC, AP physics etc) in a private school with no grade inflation, then he definitely has a shot at the lower ranked Top 50 schools(especially private ones). Chances increase if applying ED and/or full pay.

I wouldn't go this far.
It depends entirely on the high school, what their history is with colleges and who else is applying from the high school.
Even from a Big3 a 3.5 is a HARD admit to the lower ranked topi 50. You're not getting into places like WF with that and Tulane will likely defer and then maybe admit in RD. Maybe and maybe not.