I know this is an ancient thread and I hope OP's kid ended up happy wherever they went...

But for anyone still reading with the same question for current kids - my college freshman is doing fantastic! He chose a lower-ranked state school out west over his targets (and one reach he was accepted to) because he liked the school location, research programs, and clubs/ activities. It's been great. He's standing out in his classes and already talking to professors about research projects for the spring or next year. He has plenty of time for clubs, which is where he's made some great friends. He's busy all the time but doesn't feel overloaded or stressed out. He's just happy and having a blast while still doing really well in classes.

I hire a lot of engineers. The ones who did well at lower state school are generally great employees. No shame at all in choosing a less expensive school, as long as you do well there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many second tier private schools give generous merit.

Why do you assume she has to go instate?

Which ones? What's their CoA after merit?

There have been a couple of very helpful threads on this — search merit, and you’ll find discussions where parents detail specific merit offers/coa and their kid’s stats.

She sounds arrogant in a NPD way.

Has to speak into translator app to adjust communications for the uninformed / those lower on the bell curve.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, she's not on the spectrum. A psychotherapist friend calls her a late bloomer, which may be the case. She's a kid who reads a four-hundred page book in an hour, yet she forgets to study for an English test. I don't know what you call that. Immaturity?

Are you exaggerating like when people say “I have a million things to do today” ? I didn’t think it was possible to read 400 pages in one hour. I guess I’m a slow reader.

The OP wrote this in 2021. This is an old thread.

OP’s kid can read 750 pages in one hour now. Legend is born.

Anonymous wrote:Many second tier private schools give generous merit.

Why do you assume she has to go instate?

Which ones? What's their CoA after merit?

Many second tier private schools give generous merit.

Why do you assume she has to go instate?

Anonymous wrote:My DD was accepted to great colleges.

She instead chose a B tiered large state engineering program NC State. I was sick to my stomach about her decision. However, I firmly believed it was hers to make. She did undergrad and grad there. CTO by age 32.

Fast forward ten years. She has surpassed two of her siblings, who went to MIT and Stanford. Like I said her choice almost killed me.

Why, because she is more motivated in every aspect of her life. I also think she got very lucky had 7 dormmates all really great friends to this day. Super smart hard working students.

Your daughter is 42 and you are still on the college forum? I’m doomed.

Has a 100 average and professors are wondering what they are doing there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, she's not on the spectrum. A psychotherapist friend calls her a late bloomer, which may be the case. She's a kid who reads a four-hundred page book in an hour, yet she forgets to study for an English test. I don't know what you call that. Immaturity?

Are you exaggerating like when people say “I have a million things to do today” ? I didn’t think it was possible to read 400 pages in one hour. I guess I’m a slow reader.

The OP wrote this in 2021. This is an old thread.

Anonymous wrote:Our kid is in a lower-ranked state school but (a) she is on a BS/MD program and (b) she basically has a full ride (we are paying around $3K a year). She is doing great academically and socially and is having the time of her life. But for this program, we would have never considered the school that she is at. Maybe find a program that your child is really interested in and don't just limit yourself to your state - many out-of-state schools give fantastic merit aid to students they are really interested in.

Smart! DC was not interested in MD before starting so did not research this option. Would be less stressful applying for med school with an all-but- guaranteed admission.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I may have missed it somewhere but have you had actual IQ testing done?

No. I don't believe in IQ tests. DD did take the SAT in 7th grade to get into CTY, and she did very well.

Then you really don't know if she's gifted, or how many standard deviations above normal she is. Without that info, no one here can really help you. That sort of testing usually starts fairly early when applying to privates at pre-K, K, etc. You need to have a professional neuropsych test done (expensive, at least $3,000, should be spread out over several days). That will help to tease out ADHD, Aspergers/ASD, anxiety disorder, depression and I.Q. Best of luck!

Did the IQ test separate verbal from nonverbal to see if there was a gap?

Anonymous wrote:No, she's not on the spectrum. A psychotherapist friend calls her a late bloomer, which may be the case. She's a kid who reads a four-hundred page book in an hour, yet she forgets to study for an English test. I don't know what you call that. Immaturity?

Are you exaggerating like when people say “I have a million things to do today” ? I didn’t think it was possible to read 400 pages in one hour. I guess I’m a slow reader.