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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Please help me understand how my son will be viewed as a college applicant and what kinds of schools he should realistically be aiming for. I see terms like "Target" and "Reach" and I wonder what bands of schools would match that for him. He's not going for very elite schools, but what about schools in the top 30-50 range? Top 100? And which bands of schools might be below his level academically? He's intrigued by a particular school that ranks in the low 200s nationally and another that ranks in the 20s regionally. Am I right in feeling these are below him, or do I need to get real about who he is as a student? I went to a very selective school, so my metrics might be off when it comes to a less competitive student. When I go to US News and World Report or a similar site, what rankings of school should I be looking at? What level of selectivity? His profile:

We're in the NYC suburbs, decent but not top-ranked public school, "most demanding" transcript designation with all AP courses junior year, GPA is 3.5 unweighted, SAT should crack 1400 but I don't expect much over that. He's been consistently involved in some school activities since freshman year like playing in a music ensemble, joining in the school musical every year, and a couple of clubs, but he's not president or leader of anything. He's also involved in his school's science research program (most schools around here seem to have a program like this) and is doing well, but I don't expect him to win any awards. And he does some volunteer work, 1-2 hours a week. [/quote]

Your DS sounds great. We need more info.

What is your son's likely or intended major? Is he humanities (Eng/Hist/Phil), sciences, social sciences (Anthropology, Poli Sci, Psychology, Econ), Engineering, Fine Arts, etc.?

What kind of environment is your DS seeking? Big state school, small boarding-school type atmosphere (small LAC), mid-sized private? In city or suburb or rural? Artsy, nerdy, sporty, not sure?

Does he want to stay in Northeast? Mid-west? Northwest? Southwest? Southeast? US or Canada?

[/quote]

He is interested in geology, chemistry, biology, and environmental science. Not quite decided yet on which one, might want to explore a bit initially. As for size, he doesn't really know yet but he doesn't want huge. Not an athlete, more into the arts, but not interested in an arts major.[/quote]

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