Start with goals, values, wants, likes. What kind of experience do they want to have? What are their interests? What do they not want, what are the limits and parameters beyond stats?

In a way, it's much more interesting once your kid is out of T50 or T100 territory.

Who do they want to be in the world? What are they looking for?

FWIW I have two kids who went to schools outside of the US News rankings -- one at a private college that features in the "regional" rankings and one somewhere in the T200. They've both had really wonderful experiences, have excelled in their courses of study, have had amazing internships, etc etc. So - I'm not just blowing smoke

Good luck!

ODU, CNU, VCU, Longwood, Radford, Mary Washington

Also plenty of private schools: Randolph in Ashland, Mary Baldwin, Roanoke

Are they likely to mature quickly, or need more time?

If they need time, CC might be right. And ultimately transfer school might be surprisingly good.

If they have recently come to their senses, and are ready to live away from home, and you are full pay, I would look at SLACS below 20. A full pay male gets quite the bump.

Look at the SUNYs. They are affordable even out of state and many offer good merit hoping to attract out of staters. New Paltz, Oswego, Plattsburgh, Brockport, Fredonia, and several others.

I would look into the directional state schools, like Eastern Connecticut State, Western Connecticut State, University of Northern Iowa, and South Illinois University Carbondale, as well as non-flagship state universities like SUNY Oneonta and Kutztown (PA). These usually have high acceptance rates and take students with lower GPAs, especially if a higher SAT score offsets it. They also tend to have fairly good resources since they are backed by state funding and not entirely tuition dependent. You could also look into less selective liberal arts colleges, many of which are eager right now for students, especially male ones, and will overlook a lower GPA. Consider Ursinus, Elizabethtown, Lycoming, and similar schools.

Look at all your state schools that accept most students. For example, if you are Virginia look at everything that isn't UVA, W&M, VT or JMU. Then filter for best fit: look at size, location, vibes, program of study, etc. Find a few that are possibilities and visit them.

Towson, Shenandoah, Western Carolina, Missouri State, Kean University, Morgan State

FB page for Awesomely Average kids. Colleges for those under 3.5 gpa. It’s a refreshing change of pace from this board’s usual tone.

What hs year, in what school district? What does your school’s Naviance or SCOIR report say is a target or likely school?

Anonymous wrote:Regular membership extracurriculars, nothing noteworthy. 1300+ SAT. Where should we start in terms of colleges?

Field of interest? Budget? Large/small? Urban/rural? State of residency? Preferred location? Outside interests?

Is he male? Are you in Virginia? University of Mary Washington would likely want him for his pretty-good SAT score., gpa might not matter as much

Look at National Universities ranked by US News. Start no higher, imo, than about the level of the University of Delaware which is at #88 and on down. University of Kansas is #143. Keep looking lower too. Down to #200 and lower. There are plenty of good schools. The lower you go, generally, correlates to: easier to get in. He does not need to go to community college. What can you afford?

VCU, GMU, ODU. Not engineering. Maybe business depending on math grades.

Ole Miss, Bama will be reaches.

Community college then transfer.

Regular membership extracurriculars, nothing noteworthy. 1300+ SAT. Where should we start in terms of colleges?