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[quote=Anonymous][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]

I agree with the others to not focus on rankings. Focus on a school that will do a great job of supporting what he wants to do. A strong program at a good regional school in the region where he wants to be is likely better than going a few notches up in ranking when it means being in a different area. Outside of really top schools, hiring and reputation is pretty regional. Budget is also a consideration.

I'd work on visits to get a better sense of the environment he wants. For those interests, maybe U of Vermont, or Colorado-Boulder, if he wants a bigger schools. Small regional schools with good environmental programs - SUNY ESF (nice option if he likes an urban setting + shared facilities with Syracuse gives access to a biggest school community), Paul Smiths, Juniata.

FWIW, my DD sounds similar (environmental/bio + arts) with uwGPA and SAT slightly higher. Didn't get into any reach schools and some higher-ranked admits were out of budget. She really wanted a small school and admits we could afford were generally in the USNews LAC rankings in the 50-80 range. Ended up at one of those and it's been a good fit. [/quote]

Are you comfortable with sharing which school? Or which schools she got into that offered good merit aid? I'm the OP and I'd love to know, because affordability matters to us too. Not going to get any financial aid but would love to have good merit offers.[/quote]

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