What local university for this profile?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My junior has a 32 on his ACT, and all As with mostly Honors and AP classes (not sure of his exact gpa). 4 and 5 in his History APs so far (more to come), and History is what he wants to study, with Latin perhaps (plans to take AP Latin next year).

However he does not have many extra-curriculars, just a very part-time job walking dogs in the neighborhood, and fostering dogs for a rescue. This is partly because of the pandemic, partly because he has learning disabilities that make it hard for him to have the jam-packed schedule some of his peers seem to have (sports have never been on the menu!).

He would like to stay close to home for undergrad, and ideally to commute, but he also wants intellectual challenge and professorial attention. Is there any local university that would look kindly on his profile?

Are you in VA or MD? Affects what schools are within commuting distance....

[Anonymous]

Take a look at U of Mary Washington. They have a very strong classics program. Not commuting distance but easy to get home on weekends and they have excellent mental health supports so I'd think they'd also support LDs.

https://www.umw.edu/news/2021/01/19/umw-classics-program-shines-no-1-among-students/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My junior has a 32 on his ACT, and all As with mostly Honors and AP classes (not sure of his exact gpa). 4 and 5 in his History APs so far (more to come), and History is what he wants to study, with Latin perhaps (plans to take AP Latin next year).

However he does not have many extra-curriculars, just a very part-time job walking dogs in the neighborhood, and fostering dogs for a rescue. This is partly because of the pandemic, partly because he has learning disabilities that make it hard for him to have the jam-packed schedule some of his peers seem to have (sports have never been on the menu!).

He would like to stay close to home for undergrad, and ideally to commute, but he also wants intellectual challenge and professorial attention. Is there any local university that would look kindly on his profile?

Are you in VA or MD? Affects what schools are within commuting distance....

MD, close to Red line metro station.

[Anonymous]

Are his disabilities such that it would be hard for him to take a full college class load?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He doesn't have a shot at Georgetown. GW on the other hand would be a great target

Why not? His grades are excellent. His ACT is good and can probably be improved to exceptional. And it is not too late to build his EC

DP, yes he has an excellent record, but schools like Georgetown and Hopkins have thousands of applicants with higher stats AND many EC's that this applicant won't have.

AU and GWU seem to be much better fits.

What is DP? Dear poster?

[Anonymous]

Don't discard UMd because of size. He may be able to test out of some intro classes or take them at MC if he really wants small size. (Plus, many of the intro classes will have large lectures but smaller TA-led classes during the week.) A big university will give him access to excellent professors and graduate-level classes -- and will have streamlined the entire process of getting accommodations.

By the way, make sure you have recentish testing (done in high school) if you are going to seek accommodations in college. Talk to the LD offices now - anonymously - so you know what is expected. That was a recommendation given to me five years ago for my son who received accommodations at NYU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He doesn't have a shot at Georgetown. GW on the other hand would be a great target

Why not? His grades are excellent. His ACT is good and can probably be improved to exceptional. And it is not too late to build his EC

DP, yes he has an excellent record, but schools like Georgetown and Hopkins have thousands of applicants with higher stats AND many EC's that this applicant won't have.

AU and GWU seem to be much better fits.

What is DP? Dear poster?

Different Poster--it's so somebody knows that you're adding you're responding to a question that was asked of someone else. You'll also see NP for new poster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't discard UMd because of size. He may be able to test out of some intro classes or take them at MC if he really wants small size. (Plus, many of the intro classes will have large lectures but smaller TA-led classes during the week.) A big university will give him access to excellent professors and graduate-level classes -- and will have streamlined the entire process of getting accommodations.

By the way, make sure you have recentish testing (done in high school) if you are going to seek accommodations in college. Talk to the LD offices now - anonymously - so you know what is expected. That was a recommendation given to me five years ago for my son who received accommodations at NYU.

OP here. Thanks for reminding me about having him re-evaluated!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
OP here. Thank you for all your advice.

Cost is not a factor.

He would prefer smaller classes with professors that are easily available, because of his learning disabilities.

We live in MD close to DC, near a Red line metro station.

He also has an Asian last name. Are Asian males held to higher standards in admissions, if they want to study Humanities, instead of STEM?

No, not at the schools you are considering

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are his disabilities such that it would be hard for him to take a full college class load?

OP here. Missed this question. No idea. He's taking 3 AP classes this year, and is managing well, but as I mentioned, does not have much in the way of extra-curriculars, so that he can focus on school. How does that compare to a college load? Obviously this is my eldest, and I did not go to college in this country

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP-- not answering your question, but a brilliant kid who wants to study history/latin, walks dogs and fosters them for rescue sounds like a lovely human being, the kind that we need more of -- any college would be lucky to have him.

This!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are his disabilities such that it would be hard for him to take a full college class load?

OP here. Missed this question. No idea. He's taking 3 AP classes this year, and is managing well, but as I mentioned, does not have much in the way of extra-curriculars, so that he can focus on school. How does that compare to a college load? Obviously this is my eldest, and I did not go to college in this country

They typically take FEWER classes in college than high school.

I had my child (who also has a learning disability) start with a light load (still full time, but on the low end). Once she got her bearings and we saw that she was adjusting well, she got to chose what she took each quarter. It has worked out fine and she will graduate on time. (Not early, or with a double major like some of her peers...but I am MORE THAN content with how well she has done.) And she feels very successful, which is wonderful to see. All options are open to her from here.

[Anonymous]

Professors aren’t trained as teachers and most don’t know anything about learning disabilities. I get his desire for small class sizes and accessible faculty, but it’s important for you to be aware that he may also need/benefit from institutional support/expertise.

[Anonymous]

For his interest s, st John's in Annapolis. I'm not sure how they are with disabilities, or if the commute would be realistic, or if he would even like the curriculum, but worth checking out for a student interested in classics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP-- not answering your question, but a brilliant kid who wants to study history/latin, walks dogs and fosters them for rescue sounds like a lovely human being, the kind that we need more of -- any college would be lucky to have him.

This!

OP here. Aw, thank you both! Yes, he's my gentle, peaceful soul. I have a younger one who is a lot feistier!