I know “engineering” is the opposite of “doesn’t know what he wants to do,” but to me it is the epitome of high stats plus low intellectual curiosity. (Happy Father’s Day to my engineer dad!) Maybe take some time this summer to explore whether that might be a good path.

Whether engineering or undecided, look at Bucknell. Pitt honors, U of SC honors, and Tulane would all provide access to a small city full of potential internships.

High stats and demoralized? What does that mean?

Maybe colorado college for the one course at a time approach, which includes things like study abroad for a month…

Although a big state school is another good idea because classes will be easy for him and the focus will be social. So like Pitt, UDelaware, Michigan State, West Virginia, florida state, clemson, etc

Anonymous wrote:OP here- thanks this is a great suggestion re Northeastern.

Are there smaller colleges known for experiential learning/pre-professional programs? I’m all for coops.. but wary of highly specialized pre-career programs since he really doesn’t know what he wants to do yet.

Drexel is known for experiential learning

https://www.lebow.drexel.edu/academics/undergraduate/experiential-learning

How about a gap year?

Also U Miami… if interested in finance this is a total arb (with all hedge funds moving there, these kids will be getting outsized internships in coming years)

Was working from ‘high stats’

Santa Clara is also pre-professional oriented if you looking for better odds…

Anonymous wrote:Claremont McKenna is a SLAC but has an explicit focus on pre-professionalism (need high stats).

Deep Springs for a real kinetic experience.

Military academies.

Do you know how competitive CM is? 11% acceptance rate.

The military academies are impossible to get into.

Claremont McKenna is a SLAC but has an explicit focus on pre-professionalism (need high stats).

Deep Springs for a real kinetic experience.

Military academies.

Anonymous wrote:I’d think about aiming down. The competitive level of the “W” schools can be exhausting. Maybe he’d be happier somewhere he sits more comfortably near the top of the class, maybe with a merit scholarship, instead of in the pack at the highest-ranked school he can get into. Also if he’s demoralized already, the long slog of deferrals and rejections that seems to be standard for students aiming for top schools might be a bad idea.

OP here- agree with you and definitely planning to encourage this route. He needs to build up his academic self esteem again.

OP here- thanks this is a great suggestion re Northeastern.

Are there smaller colleges known for experiential learning/pre-professional programs? I’m all for coops.. but wary of highly specialized pre-career programs since he really doesn’t know what he wants to do yet.

I’d think about aiming down. The competitive level of the “W” schools can be exhausting. Maybe he’d be happier somewhere he sits more comfortably near the top of the class, maybe with a merit scholarship, instead of in the pack at the highest-ranked school he can get into. Also if he’s demoralized already, the long slog of deferrals and rejections that seems to be standard for students aiming for top schools might be a bad idea.

Should look to pre-professional oriented a schools with co-op programs and more hands on learning like Northeastern

The “jocks” I know are all at top universities… on scholarship

High stats rising senior DS - who is honestly demoralized from his years in a ‘W’ MCPS school - doesn’t have a love for learning anymore. He’s never been an intellectually curious kid, identifies more with the ‘jocks’, and has no idea what he wants to major in. Just seems so turned off to learning and maybe even feels humiliated by the classroom setting where he says he doesn’t feel comfortable..I’m hoping he can land in a college that stimulates a love for learning again…but lost as to what kind of place that may be. Not sure what my question is but wondering if anyone has any experiences of sons who’ve found their way again for academics after going to college?