Strong academics, not much else

[Anonymous]

Looking to build a sensible list for a rising junior at a DMV catholic high school.

Academics are relatively strong; if the trend holds, will end up 4.0/4.5 (U/W):
Hon/AP for all progressions of science, social science, math, English, foreign language (Chem, Euro, US, Lang, Lit, BC, MV)
High curiosity and enjoyment of learning, moderate to low ambition. Reads a lot of sci-fi, dystopian fiction, and philosophy, not interested in any activity to turn that into into a “spike”

No notable ECs — 2 different non-cut sports, chess club, summer job at non-profit.

Preference for schools within 3hr drive of DMV.

Thanks for any suggestions!

[Anonymous]

AP class grades need to be supported by equivalent AP Scores. Same with SAT/ACT scores. This GPA means nothing without more context.

You're Catholic. That's a way-in. Start there, you may find a Catholic college your son prefers.

[Anonymous]

Does he need more motivation in life - Like needs to be surrounded by peers who are more driven? ED to BC

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks!

Waiting for July AP results.
Haven’t taken standardized tests yet, but with coaching, will likely end up around 34/1500.
DC is not catholic, but not opposed to a catholic university.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does he need more motivation in life - Like needs to be surrounded by peers who are more driven? ED to BC

OP here - thanks!

Boston is too far

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does he need more motivation in life - Like needs to be surrounded by peers who are more driven? ED to BC

Also, my intent is not to change him, just help build a sensible list for who he is.

[Anonymous]

What does he want to major in and how does his schedule and hobbies reflect it? He should have a connection between personal passion and college program. If he wants to be an architect, then hd should be taking art classes. If he wants to be a historian, then he should be taking all the AP history courses and like museums. Who is this kid? Why does he want to go here (to our university)? What is his trajectory from high school and beyond? Our kids chose colleges with the department geared to their main area of interest. Many universities admit by major where students apply directly to that department. If you want to be a history major, for example, then you apply directly to the history department that will take 60 incoming freshmen out of hundreds of applicants. So why should your kid be chosen? What demonstrated interest have they shown to that field of study?

[Anonymous]

Your DC needs to think about his narrative. Right now he looks like a lot of other candidates, so he could benefit by defining himself a bit more. How does he see himself? How does he want schools to see him? Also, what is he looking for in a school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does he need more motivation in life - Like needs to be surrounded by peers who are more driven? ED to BC

OP here - thanks!

Boston is too far

Good because 4.5wGPA won't get anyone into BC even ED.

Does he want big or small, urban or not, warm/cold/indifferent to weather? Full pay or chasing merit? Is Greek life a pro or a con? What prospective major?

We can give better input with more details. I had a 4.5wGPA kid and we found the a great school for him, ED also helped to hit a high target.

[Anonymous]

You say your DC is not catholic, but he goes to a catholic high school - that's still a strong signal to catholic college admission staff. They will consider him a fit. Don't disregard this, his HS experience is an advantage applying when applying to catholic colleges.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks!

These are all useful questions.

So far, DC seems interested in going deeper in whatever he happens to be studying. Asked which class he enjoys most, he lists 5. I can’t discern a leading interest either.

Of the schools he’s learned about, he consistently points out the ones that don’t require declaring a major until the end of sophomore year.

[Anonymous]

Most universities offer an honors college, perhaps target those opportunities first?

Some options within 3 hours of DC:
UMD
UMBC
St Mary’s College of Maryland
Loyola Maryland
GMU
VCU
Temple
Scranton

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does he need more motivation in life - Like needs to be surrounded by peers who are more driven? ED to BC

OP here - thanks!

Boston is too far

Good because 4.5wGPA won't get anyone into BC even ED.

Does he want big or small, urban or not, warm/cold/indifferent to weather? Full pay or chasing merit? Is Greek life a pro or a con? What prospective major?

We can give better input with more details. I had a 4.5wGPA kid and we found the a great school for him, ED also helped to hit a high target.

3hr locality to DMV
Chasing merit
Greek life is a con
Not engineering

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most universities offer an honors college, perhaps target those opportunities first?

Some options within 3 hours of DC:
UMD
UMBC
St Mary’s College of Maryland
Loyola Maryland
GMU
VCU
Temple
Scranton

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does he need more motivation in life - Like needs to be surrounded by peers who are more driven? ED to BC

OP here - thanks!

Boston is too far

Good because 4.5wGPA won't get anyone into BC even ED.

Does he want big or small, urban or not, warm/cold/indifferent to weather? Full pay or chasing merit? Is Greek life a pro or a con? What prospective major?

We can give better input with more details. I had a 4.5wGPA kid and we found the a great school for him, ED also helped to hit a high target.

Good lord, where does your kid go to high school that the grade inflation is so over the top? My kid had a 4.4 and was top 5% of her class, headed to her first choice T20, and here you are talking about a 4.5 as if it’s some massive handicap!