What colleges to aim for?

[Anonymous]

NP. I've heard that a really high SAT in combination with a B-average GPA can be problematic, because it sends a signal that the kid is extremely smart but doesn't have much of a work ethic. Is there any chance he's motivated to get that GPA up a notch this year?

[Anonymous]

Yeah, but a private with a rep for no grade inflation may be viewed differently if the colleges know the school. If AP scores are good, it also sends the message that he learned the material.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, but a private with a rep for no grade inflation may be viewed differently if the colleges know the school. If AP scores are good, it also sends the message that he learned the material.

Yeah, but it will still make a difference as to what schools people recommend. A B average, even from a top private school, is not getting into the top 10 most selective colleges. People are trying to figure out the appropriate range before they make recommendations. That's the point.

[Anonymous]

You are giving too much credit to private school aspect. A B student will be viewed as a B student no matter what. 2100 SAT kids are dime a dozen in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

I think "full pay" will become more important attribute than "private school" if you start considering second/third tier schools.

[Anonymous]

Sarah Lawrence, Muhlenburg, Reed, Earlham, -- There are a large range of schools he could get into but I pick these out as schools for quirky types.

I agree with this list, and I would also add Oberlin, Skidmore, Bard, and Pitzer.

If you are going the liberal arts school route, a lot of schools that are actually pretty rigorous and selective (Reed, or Oberlin for example) will be more likely to take a B student than some guidance counselors might think. These smaller schools tend to look at the applications more holistically than larger places and will take in account things like how rigorous the school/courses were at a low grade inflation school, demonstrating intellectual passion and maybe that you are one of those people who is not a conventional achiever but is still thoughtful and smart, and essays. In particular, the essays, especially the "why this place" essay can really make or break an application at one of those smaller schools because they are looking for a student who is a good fit for the school rather than just someone with good grades and SAT scores who is just spamming the common app out everywhere. The essay can show that you can write and that you are intellectually curious. The key will be tailoring the essay for each school--doing some research about each program rather than just copy paste. It's a little more work, but it can really make a difference.

Reed in particular doesn't give a rats ass about the US news and world report ranking and refuses to give them any info, which means that they are consistently rated using information that is out of date, and incorrect. Because they aren't concerned with gaming the selectivity ranking, they are more likely to let someone with a B average in than a lot of liberal arts schools known for having rigorous academics.

But anyway in his situation, a lot of larger schools, especially large public institutions will tend to be more formulaic about grades/test scores/class rank.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are giving too much credit to private school aspect. A B student will be viewed as a B student no matter what. 2100 SAT kids are dime a dozen in MCPS.

Not true at all.

The Ivy League's academic index always favors class rank over GPA if available. Why? Because they know that not all GPAs are the same. Some schools are more competitive/harsher than others. They want to know where you stand in relation to other students.

Schools send a school report that breaks down the GPA distribution. Colleges will know what your GPA means in the context of your school. They don't look at your GPA in a vacuum.

Don't spread lies about things you don't know anything about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Sarah Lawrence, Muhlenburg, Reed, Earlham, -- There are a large range of schools he could get into but I pick these out as schools for quirky types.

I agree with this list, and I would also add Oberlin, Skidmore, Bard, and Pitzer.

If you are going the liberal arts school route, a lot of schools that are actually pretty rigorous and selective (Reed, or Oberlin for example) will be more likely to take a B student than some guidance counselors might think. These smaller schools tend to look at the applications more holistically than larger places and will take in account things like how rigorous the school/courses were at a low grade inflation school, demonstrating intellectual passion and maybe that you are one of those people who is not a conventional achiever but is still thoughtful and smart, and essays. In particular, the essays, especially the "why this place" essay can really make or break an application at one of those smaller schools because they are looking for a student who is a good fit for the school rather than just someone with good grades and SAT scores who is just spamming the common app out everywhere. The essay can show that you can write and that you are intellectually curious. The key will be tailoring the essay for each school--doing some research about each program rather than just copy paste. It's a little more work, but it can really make a difference.

Reed in particular doesn't give a rats ass about the US news and world report ranking and refuses to give them any info, which means that they are consistently rated using information that is out of date, and incorrect. Because they aren't concerned with gaming the selectivity ranking, they are more likely to let someone with a B average in than a lot of liberal arts schools known for having rigorous academics.

But anyway in his situation, a lot of larger schools, especially large public institutions will tend to be more formulaic about grades/test scores/class rank.

ooh, forgot about Pitzer, good idea. Bard and Oberlin are also good ideas, but might be more rural (especially Bard) than this student wants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Sarah Lawrence, Muhlenburg, Reed, Earlham, -- There are a large range of schools he could get into but I pick these out as schools for quirky types.

I agree with this list, and I would also add Oberlin, Skidmore, Bard, and Pitzer.

If you are going the liberal arts school route, a lot of schools that are actually pretty rigorous and selective (Reed, or Oberlin for example) will be more likely to take a B student than some guidance counselors might think. These smaller schools tend to look at the applications more holistically than larger places and will take in account things like how rigorous the school/courses were at a low grade inflation school, demonstrating intellectual passion and maybe that you are one of those people who is not a conventional achiever but is still thoughtful and smart, and essays. In particular, the essays, especially the "why this place" essay can really make or break an application at one of those smaller schools because they are looking for a student who is a good fit for the school rather than just someone with good grades and SAT scores who is just spamming the common app out everywhere. The essay can show that you can write and that you are intellectually curious. The key will be tailoring the essay for each school--doing some research about each program rather than just copy paste. It's a little more work, but it can really make a difference.

Reed in particular doesn't give a rats ass about the US news and world report ranking and refuses to give them any info, which means that they are consistently rated using information that is out of date, and incorrect. Because they aren't concerned with gaming the selectivity ranking, they are more likely to let someone with a B average in than a lot of liberal arts schools known for having rigorous academics.

But anyway in his situation, a lot of larger schools, especially large public institutions will tend to be more formulaic about grades/test scores/class rank.

Not OP--Do you think Muhlenburg is a quirkier type of place? I wondered if I should take my DS to visit (also someone I would describe as quirky but not unconventional) but had thought of it as being a more conventional place that he might not click with. Can you talk more about it?

[Anonymous]

^^sorry, left out a word. What I meant to say is that my DS is quirky but not *totally* unconventional.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, there's no way to tell if he'll click or not without visiting. You should visit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Sarah Lawrence, Muhlenburg, Reed, Earlham, -- There are a large range of schools he could get into but I pick these out as schools for quirky types.

I agree with this list, and I would also add Oberlin, Skidmore, Bard, and Pitzer.

If you are going the liberal arts school route, a lot of schools that are actually pretty rigorous and selective (Reed, or Oberlin for example) will be more likely to take a B student than some guidance counselors might think. These smaller schools tend to look at the applications more holistically than larger places and will take in account things like how rigorous the school/courses were at a low grade inflation school, demonstrating intellectual passion and maybe that you are one of those people who is not a conventional achiever but is still thoughtful and smart, and essays. In particular, the essays, especially the "why this place" essay can really make or break an application at one of those smaller schools because they are looking for a student who is a good fit for the school rather than just someone with good grades and SAT scores who is just spamming the common app out everywhere. The essay can show that you can write and that you are intellectually curious. The key will be tailoring the essay for each school--doing some research about each program rather than just copy paste. It's a little more work, but it can really make a difference.

Reed in particular doesn't give a rats ass about the US news and world report ranking and refuses to give them any info, which means that they are consistently rated using information that is out of date, and incorrect. Because they aren't concerned with gaming the selectivity ranking, they are more likely to let someone with a B average in than a lot of liberal arts schools known for having rigorous academics.

But anyway in his situation, a lot of larger schools, especially large public institutions will tend to be more formulaic about grades/test scores/class rank.

Not OP--Do you think Muhlenburg is a quirkier type of place? I wondered if I should take my DS to visit (also someone I would describe as quirky but not unconventional) but had thought of it as being a more conventional place that he might not click with. Can you talk more about it?

Depends on the comparison. Strong performing arts reputation attracts a quirkier group than Dickinson or Franklin & Marshall, but it's not like a Bard or Oberlin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, there's no way to tell if he'll click or not without visiting. You should visit.

Well, sure, but there are about a dozen colleges in Pennsylvania alone that meet DS's basic criteria. We aren't going to visit them all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, there's no way to tell if he'll click or not without visiting. You should visit.

Well, sure, but there are about a dozen colleges in Pennsylvania alone that meet DS's basic criteria. We aren't going to visit them all.

True, but there really is no way to tell how much your son will click. There were schools that sounded perfect on paper for DS but there were little things about it that turned him off.

As PP said, Muhlenberg is quirky and artsy because of the very good theater/music programs. But it isn't like Oberlin or Reed where every single person is an activist. It's unconventional but not too unconventional. A good middle ground.

If that sounds good, your son could always apply and visit if he gets in.

[Anonymous]

What's "conventionally quirky"? You said no Cs or Ds, but does he have any As on his transcript? Will his transcript demonstrate an upward trend? Will it demonstrate high ability in some area -- e.g., is he getting As in the most challenging STEM classes, but Bs in humanities, or vice-versa? In terms of class rank, is he second quarter of the class or third quarter? What will his recommenders say about him?