where to apply

[Anonymous]

My nephew is a senior at a good high school in MoCo. He is a decent student (~3.2 GPA) with a college-track but not particularly challenging courseload (he has taken 1 or 2 APs, but he struggles with math and science and is in Algebra II as a senior). His SATs are ~1000, but he is re-taking the test next month. It is hard getting him to focus on where he wants to apply - the only criteria he has given are that he does not want a huge school (I would say under 10k), he wants to stay within about a 4 hour driving distance of MoCo, and he is social and very into sports but he does not drink alcohol so he does not want a college that's mainly a drunk-fest on the weekends. The tuition would need to be reasonable or have good financial aid packages. Also he is a minority (latino) so a student body with some diversity would be welcome. I think that Frostburg could be a good fit for him, but my impression is that there is a lot of drinking on campus (I suspect that is the case for many colleges in rural areas). His mom and I are scouring the college websites, us news and world report, etc. but it feels very overwhelming. Can you suggest some other colleges to put onto our list to look at that might be a good fit for him academically and socially? Many thank yous.

[Anonymous]

If you are Catholic OP - what about Loyola in MD, and since he gets to check the hispanic box...what about St. Marys in MD (which is public)

[Anonymous]

Mount Saint Mary's (Catholic), Salisbury, UMBC (may be a stretch with weak grades and scores), Shippensburg, Mary Washington, Wesley (in DE).

I wouldn't worry so much about the drinking thing as every school will have students who drink and those who don't. He will surely find a niche. But if that's really a primary factor for him what about Liberty University? Very strict rules for students, even on dress.

[Anonymous]

Stevenson University (MD)
University of Baltimore\
Towson University (maybe too big)
Bowie State University

[Anonymous]

Hood College in Frederick MD has great sports facilities and an engaging and encouragine faculty.

[Anonymous]

op here - thanks for all of these suggestions. his guidance counselor does not think he is a strong candidate for umbc or st. mary's college of md with his b average. we will look at the other uni's mentioned. also he is catholic and his mother would be very happy for him to go to a catholic school, but those are all private so tend to cost a lot more. thank you!

[Anonymous]

Another though to consider is for him to attend a community college for 2 years and then transfer into a 4-year college. It may not be his first choice and he should most certainly try for all the colleges listed because he may get in, but it something to keep in the back of your minds as an option.

Also, if he's willing to put in the application then he should apply to the schools despite what the counselor says. He won't know if he'll get in unless he tries!

[Anonymous]

Maybe Washington College in Chestertown, MD or Indiana University in PA (not Bloomington), if he can get FA.

I don't hear great things about Salisbury from local kids - they are bored.

[Anonymous]

I have a daughter with similar stats and she is applying to some if these schools. We have looked at some Pennsylvania state schools like Shippensburg. Some offer a break on the tuition for out of state students as low as a 3.0 GPA. Some breaks are just for STEM students unfortunately. Indiana University of Pennsylvania has a tuition discount for all Maryland residents.

University of Baltimore in downtown Baltimore has really low tuition, but not a huge variety of majors. Frostburg State University is another state school choice, although it is pretty isolated.

[Anonymous]

My high school bff went to Loyola. Only has about 25k in loans. That's $200 something a month. It's an awesome school. Not far from home and gives good financial aid (her parents are government employees too) and the minority population was mostly diverse AA and hispanic. Take a look. Also what about LaSalle in Philadelphia? Also a heavy hispanic population

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op here - thanks for all of these suggestions. his guidance counselor does not think he is a strong candidate for umbc or st. mary's college of md with his b average. we will look at the other uni's mentioned. also he is catholic and his mother would be very happy for him to go to a catholic school, but those are all private so tend to cost a lot more. thank you!

Apply anyway.

I'd also look into McDaniel College in Westminster, MD.