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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My DS attends RPI in the Aerospace Engineering program. He had just under a 3.3 GPA in HS and did not take any Honors or AP math or science classes in HS. He got mostly Bs in his CP classes. The only APs he took were the Computer Science ones. He definitely considered it a reach (he did not get into VT, FWIW). His grades were often hurt by turning things in late or not at all.

I can only assume he got in because of his ACT (34) but that score was helped by getting extra time in the exam (he is, mildly, on the spectrum and had IEP from 2nd-11th grade). And SAT/ACT score averages are pretty high at RPI despite its high acceptance rate.

I was definitely worried about him because the classes are known to be tough and there is no grade inflation. But he’s doing fine. He decided he did not want any supports, so does not get extra time or any other accommodations, his grades are generally A- to B- range, and he’s become really active in a couple of activities. He’s even in better shape physically. He has known several kids who have dropped out or on academic probation because of their grades.

So honestly he’s fine at his reach. I think he just had to mature a little and apply himself.[/quote]

Thanks for sharing. This is my DD’s top choice and I have a ton of concerns about the rigor of RPI.

How much do you think it’s him being engaged in the academics vs. maturing?  What year is he?[/quote]

He's a sophomore. I definitely noticed the maturation senior year of HS. He had by far his best year academically and seemed more engaged in his classes. Some of that was because he was able to take more classes he was interested in, since he'd completed his HS requirements and was taking mostly electives.

He's wanted to be an aerospace engineer since middle school and never wavered on that, so I think him being engaged in his coursework also helps. And in college he just kind of developed a routine and stuck with it. Gets up early every weekday. Works out at the gym if he doesn't have an early class. Found good places to study. One benefit of RPI is a lot of the kids are taking the same classes, since the vast majority are STEM majors, so it's easy to find study partners or, if you befriend upperclassmen, people who have taken the class and can share their wisdom. I should mention specifically--he also heard from classmates that a certain required class was A BEAR at RPI, and avoid if at all possible. So he took the class this past summer at our local community college and RPI accepted the transfer credit.

The strange thing is that my current HS senior DC seems to have the exact same trajectory. Slacked off a lot in HS. Unfocused. Executive function difficulties. Then . . . started senior year with his best grades by far . . . knows what he wants to do in college and applied accordingly, but his grades were simply not good enough to apply to some schools that otherwise would have been good fits. Maybe I should have just redshirted all these boys.

Best of luck to your DD![/quote]

This is VERY helpful, thank you for the details![/quote]

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