Anonymous
09/30/2025 10:46
Subject: Majors for boy who might not crack 700 on SAT math
My son (a current senior) got a 1380 as well (only a 670 math) his one and only time taking the SAT, and that was after he took a prep course. This score is in the 92% percentile for all test takers, so I'm not sure why you'd consider it a low score, it's a good score. It's 100 points better than the average score was from kids at his school (one of the top publics in our state) on that test date.
My son is submitting that score to every school he's applying to, because it's better than expected for his GPA, and better than his school's average. And because he's not applying for STEM subjects.
Our school is full of boys like this--sporty, good grades, good scores, not sure what they want to be. They go to either our state flagship, OOS flagships like Penn State or VT or South Carolina if they want more of a sports culture, or to the more bro-ish small schools like Lafayette and Bucknell. Consider business, sports management, sports marketing maybe? Sociology is a good suggestion. Or maybe a construction management or an engineering technology degree (like the degrees at Purdue Polytechnic--it's a college at the main Purdue campus) if he enjoys working with his hands? Or maybe some type of communications?
He can look at LACs if he's interested in a smaller school, but it's not necessary to go to a LAC just because he's undecided. Lots of students change their major and many come in undecided. He could also look at big state schools and just apply to the broadest college at the school (usually called "College of Arts and Sciences" or similar) so that he has a lot of options for a major. If he's a sports fan he might prefer a D1 school with a sports culture over a LAC.
My son is submitting that score to every school he's applying to, because it's better than expected for his GPA, and better than his school's average. And because he's not applying for STEM subjects.
Our school is full of boys like this--sporty, good grades, good scores, not sure what they want to be. They go to either our state flagship, OOS flagships like Penn State or VT or South Carolina if they want more of a sports culture, or to the more bro-ish small schools like Lafayette and Bucknell. Consider business, sports management, sports marketing maybe? Sociology is a good suggestion. Or maybe a construction management or an engineering technology degree (like the degrees at Purdue Polytechnic--it's a college at the main Purdue campus) if he enjoys working with his hands? Or maybe some type of communications?
He can look at LACs if he's interested in a smaller school, but it's not necessary to go to a LAC just because he's undecided. Lots of students change their major and many come in undecided. He could also look at big state schools and just apply to the broadest college at the school (usually called "College of Arts and Sciences" or similar) so that he has a lot of options for a major. If he's a sports fan he might prefer a D1 school with a sports culture over a LAC.
Anonymous
09/30/2025 10:41
Subject: Majors for boy who might not crack 700 on SAT math
Seriously. If you can afford it send him to a SLAC and let him get some kind degree that does not lock you into a career path: history, poli sci, English etc. Then if he’s still not sure after four years, he can drag things out another three years with law school.
That’s what I did - a non STEM English major. I stared out in BigLaw for a while and eventually ended up in finance. I got a D in my first semester of HS calculus senior year, but back in the day was still able to get into a decently selective SLAC. That set me on a path that was probably best for me. Worked out fine.
That’s what I did - a non STEM English major. I stared out in BigLaw for a while and eventually ended up in finance. I got a D in my first semester of HS calculus senior year, but back in the day was still able to get into a decently selective SLAC. That set me on a path that was probably best for me. Worked out fine.
Anonymous
09/30/2025 10:38
Subject: Majors for boy who might not crack 700 on SAT math
Anonymous wrote:He is a senior and struggling a bit with high level math. But also not really that interested in soft subjects. His is a very good kid but his only current true “passions” are cars, his sports, and working out.
Should he even go to college?
Should we just send him anyway to LAC and let him figure it out? Unprepped SAT 1380, too late to prep now obviously.
Schools generally have students complete career interest surveys with guidance. Might be something there. Have you discussed with your student? Hes a senior. Has he applied anywhere?
Anonymous
09/30/2025 10:34
Subject: Majors for boy who might not crack 700 on SAT math
Anonymous wrote:Everyone here suggesting he should do sports management because he likes sports. No.
What he needs to do is go to an affordable school and take different classes until he finds something he feels passionate about.[/quote]
My kid, who was like this, got $$$ from schools like: CU-Boulder, Lehigh, Bucknell, Elon, etc.
Male.
3.8uw
33 ACT (test optional at many schools)
Niche humanities majors based on a few ECs.
Mostly sports.
Sociology minor.
The Soc angle here is the right one for purposes of APPLYING and GETTING $$$$. Pick whatever you want in arts & sciences after you get there.
Anonymous
09/30/2025 10:32
Subject: Majors for boy who might not crack 700 on SAT math
Can't he apply undecided?
Are you full pay? What's your state school option.
Are you full pay? What's your state school option.
Anonymous
09/30/2025 10:29
Subject: Majors for boy who might not crack 700 on SAT math
Anonymous wrote:If he really likes cars, why not mech Eng at a non competitive engineering school?
I take it OP's DC likes cars as a sport. Not in a way of building an engine ab novo.
Anonymous
09/30/2025 10:29
Subject: Majors for boy who might not crack 700 on SAT math
Everyone here suggesting he should do sports management because he likes sports. No.
What he needs to do is go to an affordable school and take different classes until he finds something he feels passionate about.
What he needs to do is go to an affordable school and take different classes until he finds something he feels passionate about.
Anonymous
09/30/2025 10:28
Subject: Majors for boy who might not crack 700 on SAT math
What the heck? There are a lot of college options for student with this profile! Has he expressed an interest in any particular schools?
Anonymous
09/30/2025 10:27
Subject: Majors for boy who might not crack 700 on SAT math
If he really likes cars, why not mech Eng at a non competitive engineering school?
Anonymous
09/30/2025 10:26
Subject: Majors for boy who might not crack 700 on SAT math
I just finished reading about an astrophysicist who started college as a recruited athlete. When he got injured and lost his scholarship he tried to become a physics major. He wasn't ready and had to drop out. He went to community college for remedial math and eventually made it back in. Took the long, long road but finally got there
Don't worry so much
Don't worry so much
Anonymous
09/30/2025 10:26
Subject: Majors for boy who might not crack 700 on SAT math
My ds who couldn't crack 700 on math is an Econ Major at a T30.
Anonymous
09/30/2025 10:25
Subject: Majors for boy who might not crack 700 on SAT math
Sports management is a hard major to get into. Same with business. Both are very competitive with more male applicants than they can handle.
The sociology poster is on the right track, with the sports leadership minor.
Kids can slightly pivot to the right major when they get to college, unless it's a direct admission program.
The sociology poster is on the right track, with the sports leadership minor.
Kids can slightly pivot to the right major when they get to college, unless it's a direct admission program.
Anonymous
09/30/2025 10:22
Subject: Majors for boy who might not crack 700 on SAT math
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:He is a senior and struggling a bit with high level math. But also not really that interested in soft subjects. His is a very good kid but his only current true “passions” are cars, his sports, and working out.
Should he even go to college?
Should we just send him anyway to LAC and let him figure it out? Unprepped SAT 1380, too late to prep now obviously.
Sports management major if he should be interested.
Miami, Michigan, NYU, SMU, Syracuse, and many more colleges offer this major.
Most of them are test optional. Miami is test required this year. But his score is high enough for SMU and Syracuse.
The thing with sports management is that it is an extremely popular major with limited (competitive) job/career prospects. Better off doing business which is open to any industry.
Anonymous
09/30/2025 10:18
Subject: Majors for boy who might not crack 700 on SAT math
Anonymous wrote:He is a senior and struggling a bit with high level math. But also not really that interested in soft subjects. His is a very good kid but his only current true “passions” are cars, his sports, and working out.
Should he even go to college?
Should we just send him anyway to LAC and let him figure it out? Unprepped SAT 1380, too late to prep now obviously.
Sports management major if he should be interested.
Miami, Michigan, NYU, SMU, Syracuse, and many more colleges offer this major.
Most of them are test optional. Miami is test required this year. But his score is high enough for SMU and Syracuse.
Anonymous
09/30/2025 10:16
Subject: Majors for boy who might not crack 700 on SAT math
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What are his grades like? Unweighted GPA?
No EC leadership?
Favorite subjects?
Public or private HS?
UW 3.8, 8 IB classes
High level participation in sports with leadership experience
Doesn’t seem to have a favorite subject, how he feels about a class seems to depend more on how well he connects to teacher and other students in the class.
Public school
Agree with others. If you can afford full pay, pick a full pay choice. Very important.
Look at these schools and narrow down major choice.
Wake:
Major: https://sociology.wfu.edu/ (Courses: Sociology of Sports; Society, Culture & Sport; Sport, Media & Communication (COMM);
Minor: Communication or Entrepreneurship https://admissions.wfu.edu/academics/majors-minors/communication/ https://entrepreneurship.wfu.edu/minor-in-entrepreneurship/
You can do the same as the above for any other school - does he want big, small? Greek life? Urban, suburban, rural?
What is your in-state option?
Look at WashU, Lehigh, BU, W&M, Villanova, GW.