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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Thanks all - he is interested in science.  When discussing college he IDed “marine biology” as a possible major.  He has zero experience with marine bio other than he took AP bio this year and got a 5 on the exam.  I encouraged him to do a two week marine bio program this summer and he wouldn’t do it.  He has no motivation aside from doing well in school, which isn’t overly hard for him.  This summer he is sleeping in, hanging out with friends at the beach, and golfing.  I honestly don’t think he would start a club, or volunteer - he has no interest in spending his time that way and I don’t want to fight over it even if it means getting into a rice/wash U instead of a lower ranked school.

Desire for prestige is coming from him - when he was brainstorming a college list he said his first choice was MIT and then would like to either Penn or Brown.  That isn’t realistic.  [/quote]

Ok that's a start. My 2 cents:

Skip "marine biology" - it's actually quite competitive, and he has zero demonstrated interest. There are better options:

- Applied Math/Statistics (hot field, less competition than pure bio) - does he love math? How would his math LOR look?
- Environmental Science (broader than marine bio, easier to fake interest with urban gardens, gardening, sustainability drives, working in plant nurseries over summer etc)
- Geology or Atmospheric Science (its less competitive STEM major but still STEM - which is a concern)

But. He needs to do something. He'll go to your state flagship otherwise. Truthfully, his application is NOT compelling AT ALL.

What he can do RIGHT NOW (with minimal effort required):

- Get a job - lifeguard, Home Depot, plant nurseries, botanical gardens, camp counselor, anything that shows work ethic
- Online courses in his intended major (Coursera, edX) - shows interest without leaving the house. Rice has some pre-college online programs that start on Monday and the week thereafter (https://precollege.rice.edu/) 
- Science fair project next year - he's smart enough to do well with minimal time investment

Without ECs or personality, he's banking everything on stats. There's a minuscule chance that might work at Rice or WashU ED, but MIT/Penn/Brown are pure fantasies.

I'd ED to Rice or WashU (have him register online now and do some online engagement, apply broadly to schools that love high-stats kids (Case), and hope his personality comes through in essays. He needs to understand that "really smart but unmotivated" doesn't impress anyone at elite colleges. Love your state flagship.[/quote]

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