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[quote=Anonymous][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]

Pitt is a great school for pre-med sciences (bio, chem, and research jobs).  His GPA might be low, but applying early can help. It's a good school for humanities and social sciences so that makes distribution requirements more interesting.

There is a very small geology department.

https://www.geology.pitt.edu/

Applying with geology in mind but focus on a broader science education might give your student a hook.  And an early acceptance.

The great thing about Pitt is that the Liberal Arts college (which contains non-Engineering STEM majors) is really at the heart of the University.

The broad science interest pattern does suggest a flagship for maximum choices.  However, a more focused, smaller school might be better for getting strong grades and finding jobs.

Previously suggested Syracuse, Binghamton, and Penn State should be looked into.  Syracuse and SUNY also have this interrelationship which I learned about from DCUM:

https://www.esf.edu/

"The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) in Syracuse, NY, is a specialized public research university focused on the environment, natural resources, and sustainability, and is the nation's oldest institution of its kind. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields like forestry, conservation biology, and environmental engineering, leveraging a unique partnership with nearby Syracuse University"[/quote]

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