How do we navigate this

[Anonymous]

No school is a safety until they are admitted. The sooner the better. Nail down, ideally, a choice of safeties early in Fall. Look for schools that notify early (as rolling admission) or EA. I wouldn't classify the usual Va colleges this way. They take forever to notify. They keep students on-edge, under pressure, as far into senior year as possible. They are probably in cahoots w/Va high schools.

[Anonymous]

I think U.Pitt is a good safety OOS, GMU and JMU are good safety in state. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Maybe Lafayette College or Bucknell? They both are liners arts colleges that have a strong engineering program. Or Purdue maybe?

[Anonymous]

^liberal arts^

[Anonymous]

We explained a very similar situation in moving from a higher intense private over to public school in the other information section.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rule 1...this isn't a "we" process. Let your kid navigate it.

Rule 2...see rule 1.

This Karen shows up in ALL. THE. THREADS!! She must never sleep! Is she the KRAKEN!?!?

[Anonymous]

“Average GPA crossing 4”

Does that mean unweighted? An unweighted GPA near 4.0 is not a B+. B+ = approx 3.3 (A- approx 3.6 and A = 4.0).

With an unweighted 4, he may not be getting into Stanford but with a great SAT like that you have plenty of options without groveling in an essay as though he messed up.

[Anonymous]

OP - there are literally thousands of schools out there. And in VA, you have an embarrassment of college riches.

Your son’s grades/tests are great. Sit down and look at what type of school your son would like to attend and within your financial means (your son, not where YOU may be pushing him). Read about their engineering program. Pick a handful and apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all. I am not trying to finagle this, just looking for some real safeties, because everyone keeps telling us it is impossible to get admission without a A/A- average. We are applying widely, and by "we" I mean the parents are helping out to lower stress levels. We don't have problem going lower, if that is what it means, just wanted to get a feel for what is a real safety. I consider VT/UMD as match/high match just to be on safe side. Wondering where else, OOS?

Stop listening to "everyone," and don't feel like you have to "explain" something. Let your kid put their best foot forward and apply were he wants to. My three kids all had varied admission results and got in some places they didn't really expect to and vice versa - same with their friends. The schools are good at this and will be able to tell if your kid will be successful or not based on what he presents. Trust that they know what they are doing. If he doesn't get in somewhere, it isn't because he "wasn't good enough."

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP to look at colleges like Lafayette and Bucknell. Seek STEM opportunities at liberal arts colleges. They will be more understanding of his trajectory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will get some actually helpful advice if you post on College Confidential.

College Confidential is the epitome of toxic caca.

Unlike this dumpster fire site?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe Lafayette College or Bucknell? They both are liners arts colleges that have a strong engineering program. Or Purdue maybe?

Purdue is one of the most competitive engineering programs to get into. That's a no. Bucknell is a good idea. Maybe Lehigh?

[Anonymous]

Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY

Very well-regarded STEM school. Underrated by the snobbish so plenty of merit aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all. I am not trying to finagle this, just looking for some real safeties, because everyone keeps telling us it is impossible to get admission without a A/A- average. We are applying widely, and by "we" I mean the parents are helping out to lower stress levels. We don't have problem going lower, if that is what it means, just wanted to get a feel for what is a real safety. I consider VT/UMD as match/high match just to be on safe side. Wondering where else, OOS?

I agree, VT is not a safety of engineering. Maybe University of Delaware or West Virginia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe Lafayette College or Bucknell? They both are liners arts colleges that have a strong engineering program. Or Purdue maybe?

Purdue is one of the most competitive engineering programs to get into. That's a no. Bucknell is a good idea. Maybe Lehigh?

My DS got into Purdue engineering recently with a lower GPA than OP's child also due to a poor grades in the 9th grade. Purdue's website says that they accept about 40% of applicants and that they look at grades in the courses relevant to engineering. Bucknell also admitted DS for engineering but I think that was the tougher admit b/c their engineering program is small.