Anonymous
Post 11/25/2025 13:42     Subject: Son has good grades but middling SAT - wants engineering

Anonymous wrote:Vtech for sure those scores are good. dont worry.

+1
VTech is test optional. My ds got in with a lower gpa and test optional.
Anonymous
Post 11/25/2025 13:36     Subject: Re:Son has good grades but middling SAT - wants engineering

Anonymous wrote:
If he has good grades in advanced math and physics classes and has shown promise in engineering through classes and ECs,


He has good ECs that are engineering focused, and good grades in BC Cal and AP Physics, but unfortunately, those grades only translated to a 3 and 4 on the AP exams (the 3 was in BC Cal). He stopped math after sophomore year because his school does not offer classes beyond BC cal.


This is going to be more of a problem than the SAT score. Why didn’t he take a math class online? Why in the world would you accelerate a kid in math if that means they will run out of classes to take for 11th and 12th.
Anonymous
Post 11/25/2025 13:13     Subject: Re:Son has good grades but middling SAT - wants engineering

720


He could be become project manager/ admin who coordinates engineer activities without running numbers/ models


Why would he do that instead of going to Clarkson or Rose Hulman, where he has a solid chance of admission, unless there are financial constraints that OP has not mentioned?
Anonymous
Post 11/25/2025 13:02     Subject: Re:Son has good grades but middling SAT - wants engineering

Anonymous wrote:

what is his math score?


720


He could be become project manager/ admin who coordinates engineer activities without running numbers/ models
Anonymous
Post 11/25/2025 12:57     Subject: Re:Son has good grades but middling SAT - wants engineering

If he has good grades in advanced math and physics classes and has shown promise in engineering through classes and ECs,


He has good ECs that are engineering focused, and good grades in BC Cal and AP Physics, but unfortunately, those grades only translated to a 3 and 4 on the AP exams (the 3 was in BC Cal). He stopped math after sophomore year because his school does not offer classes beyond BC cal.
Anonymous
Post 11/25/2025 12:48     Subject: Son has good grades but middling SAT - wants engineering

That’s not a middling score
Anonymous
Post 11/25/2025 12:48     Subject: Son has good grades but middling SAT - wants engineering

Tons of options. This board is so focused on top ranked schools that it skews perception.
Anonymous
Post 11/25/2025 12:38     Subject: Son has good grades but middling SAT - wants engineering

He'd get merit at Miami Ohio and they have an engineering school.
Anonymous
Post 11/25/2025 12:36     Subject: Son has good grades but middling SAT - wants engineering

If SAT math < 700 then don’t do engineering
Anonymous
Post 11/25/2025 12:00     Subject: Son has good grades but middling SAT - wants engineering

Vtech for sure those scores are good. dont worry.
Anonymous
Post 11/25/2025 11:52     Subject: Son has good grades but middling SAT - wants engineering

UVa SEAS is not top-20 but cares about SAT Verbal.
Anonymous
Post 11/25/2025 11:51     Subject: Son has good grades but middling SAT - wants engineering

The grades and rigor in Math and Science classes are also going to matter here. I think he still hsa decent shot at a lot of places assuming the math score is combined with a strong record in thsoe subjects.
Anonymous
Post 11/25/2025 11:48     Subject: Re:Son has good grades but middling SAT - wants engineering

Anonymous wrote:

I think he should be able to get into Tennessee with a 1360, esp. if the SAT is split so he is 700 math, 660 verbal. (I'm just guessing here.)


Thanks, this is a great suggestion. My cousin lives in Knoxville, and so it would be also great for him to be able to be near him and his kids.


(Tennessee mom commenting again.) With some family in Knoxville, definitely look at Tennessee. Your cousin can tell you anything you need to know about Knoxville. Don't believe all the crazies here. I think it has its advantages and disadvantages, like basically everywhere. My student loves it there.

He probably has a good shot at NC State, too, esp since the SAT Math is 720.
Anonymous
Post 11/25/2025 11:38     Subject: Son has good grades but middling SAT - wants engineering

^^I agree with this. Don't discount those possibilities.
Anonymous
Post 11/25/2025 11:17     Subject: Son has good grades but middling SAT - wants engineering

Do engineering schools outside of the top 10 care about a verbal score? If he has good grades in advanced math and physics classes and has shown promise in engineering through classes and ECs, I would think he will be a strong candidate at many schools.