Help??? Advice needed.

Better take a SAT prep course ASAP, sign up to re-take the SAT, and try to get those scores up. The academic marks you have will prevent many schools from even considering you.

first of all you should change your name to school is life, nothing is more important.

Other than that i woul agree with hokieone

I didn't ask for preaching SSMD89, just advice on schools. He is taking SAT prep classes, tutors, everything. The scores will bounce some but not drastically. Is an LD student and is making great progress but it is what it is, troubling as that is, there ARE schools that will accept students in this range, I'm just looking for advice on who I might be missing and what insights anyone has.

baseball - With a 2.25 can he even be a NCAA DI qualifier? My son was an '05 and I can't remember the numbers. I remember the GPA balances out with ACT/SAT scores to determine eligibility. With a LD, it might be wiser to consider a small school or a JUCO for him in the beginning.

As far as recommending schools, that is just an impossible question for people to answer from the criteria you've listed. "Fit" is just too varied depending on many things involving your son.... ability, position, personality, the learning disability in question.....

If he's had schools contact him, that's a good starting point.... look at what each of those offer for your son and his academic needs and his baseball desires. Then if you have a particular question about a particular school, I think someone might be able to help you. If he can raise that GPA and scores, he will have even more options.

Check the schools in the picture and see who has special situations for LD students---much of it can be taken care of--my own son was a LD kid and he did fine at the D-I level but the university gave him great support

I think most people are trying to help you with your unique situation. SSMD89 may think school is life but that is only SSMD89’s opinion. Important things in your life are defined by you not by anyone else. Having said that I also have to agree with lafmom when she says no one can help another select a school or a baseball program. She also give good advice about where to start. EVERY situation is different and ONLY the family and the player can determine if they have a good “fit”. While my son may love his coach, another player may have a real problem with the same coach. So, what do you do? In addition to what lafmom says, I think I would start a letter campaign with schools you THINK might fit your criteria. Also make some phone calls to the baseball staff. A good starting point would be the schools you mentioned --- everything from Ohio State to Florida Southern, UMass to Coastal Carolina and many in between --- Get some feedback from them. This should help you establish an evaluation system. Best of luck to you and your son.
Fungo

Test scores could keep you from playing at a D1 school. There are alot of great baseball programs at jr colleges in the south. Some have dorms and campus life like 4yr schools and offer more full scholarships than the 4yr schools

I realize you didn't ask this question but I think many of the academic eligibility questions can possibly be answered from online analysis and phone calls as Fungo suggests. Go to the school's website in question (you listed several of them) and all of them list their requirements for admission. They will often publish their average SAT scores for admission. Otherwise you can call and ask an admissions counselor. Remember this is the average score - thus there are scores below the average that are admitted. The 2.25 GPA does not scare me assuming your son is a hard worker. Also, since admissions are complicated, his entire background including sports will be considered by admissions.

I don't believe in labels and LD is one that I am not particularly fond of. There may be kids who are currently better at taking exams but that does not necessarily mean they are smarter nor will they necessarily be the most successful in the long run. Sometimes the story about the tortus and the hare really applies. Someone who is dedicated, persistent, establishes a PERSONAL relationship with any school's admission's staff and/or coaching staff can make things happen in a positive manner. Finally, I truly believe (from experience) that intelligence can be increased through PLAIN OLD FASHIONED hard work. Your son can indeed make his dreams come true - he just needs to find the right fit

Unfortunatly most schools do have a minimum SAT score. Most also like athletes to get max money for academics to lighten the athletic money used from the 11.7 schollarships. JC can offten be a good route to help get the marks up.
One friend had a low CPA and SAT and he found a 4 year school in Kansas but I know he struggled to get a school that would take him. He attended a JC for 2 years.

Begin by using a college search engine like collegeNET.com or collegeboard.com This allows you to enter parameters like type of institution (4 yr, Jco, 2yr campus of 4 yr college, etc.) area of country, minimum SATs, GPA, major, and sports. Using your parameters they search their database and come up with matches. Putting in your criteria on collegeNET, I got 14 hits. Using those hits, you can do further research to find a school that suits your son.

Good Luck!

Also, consider having son take the ACT. It is considered "easier" and many colleges accept it.

Thanks for all th input. His GPA will get to 2.5 by the end of his SR year and his SAT scores should jump a bit, along with taking the ACT. JUCO or a prep year is obviously a strong consideration, I was just looking to brainstorm some programs to make sure I'm seeing the enitre landscape of college options.

In Virginia, I would think VCU and ODU might talk to you though the comments above are correct about needing to get some better scores in the coming months. Both are solid programs with good facilities and strong coaching staffs, plus a record of putting players into the pros. George Mason might also be in that loop.

Also, BBIL, your son may be eligible for extra time on the SAT and ACT if he has a documented Learning Disability. You must discuss with the high school counselor to make sure this LD is in school records and is one that makes your son eligible for extra time, and then your school must submit a request to the testing board in advance of the test. This could make a big difference for your son and his scores, and not every parent of an LD kid knows to ask. Check this ASAP.

I think quillgirl gave great suggestions, you need to begin with academic criteria first, JMO.

Lafmom brings up a great point, he most likely is not a qualifier for D1.

If your son has a learning problem of some type , smaller programs would be to his benefit. Much easier sitting in a class with 30-50 than 300.

And I think that your own suggestion of JUCO or prep should be a strong consideration.

To be a minimum Qualifier under the NCAA guidelines, you need an SAT (Math/Verbal, writing excluded) of 820 if the GPA is 2.5

As the GPA goes down, the SAT's must go up in order to be a qualifier.

But that isn't the only rule. Your son will be subject to the following guidelines:

For Division I, that GPA is based on the core courses, not the HS GPA. Those courses used in the GPA computation are:
14 Core Courses:
4 years of English.
2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher).
2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school).
1 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science.
2 years of social science.
3 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy).

No other courses are used in the computation of the GPA by the Clearinghouse to determine eligibility.

The requirements for D2 are lighter.
2005 and after
14 Core Courses:
3 years of English.
2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher).
2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab by high school).
2 years of additional mathematics or natural/physical science.
2 years of social science.
3 years of additional (from any area above,
language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy).

-----------------
These are the NCAA minimums. Most colleges and many conferences have higher qualification standards. They would have to be addressed on a case-by-case basis. As lafmom stated, the Juco route may be an excellent option.

I don't know all the technicalities involved with getting into a D1 school, but I attended a JUCO for many years and it has served me well in this life. It can be a launch pad for a fine athletic career as well.

FWIW - I just saw an old movie entitled "Rudy"

I recommend watching it with your son even if you both have seen it before. Apparently, Rudy had LD with a mild form of dyslexia. Through sheer force of will and determination, he struggled at a JUCO a few years before finally being admitted to Notre Dame - one of the finest academic institutions in the nation.

I would try and study some college profile books. When you determine particular schools you are interested in, tell the baseball coach upfront your academics. Likewise if any school has expressed an interest in you, do the same. His reponse will tell you alot.

Think Lafmom offered some very sound advise. You have set your sights high Baseball Is Life, but what if your son does get into a D1....it's not just getting admitted....it's being able to stay......meeting the school's academic requirements.....that could be a lot for your son to carry.....along with competing for the right to play baseball.

Think it might be good if you also looked at junior colleges as a start.....

BB is L,

It’s not on your list but take a look at the University of Wisconsin Oshkgosh (b’gosh).

This university has programs specifically tailored for men and women with learning disabilities. My understanding is that 30% of the student population has some form or degree of LD. He will be in an understanding environment with students and faculty that will put him in a position to succeed academically. Test scores do not scare these people but the LD must be properly documented. They have a great DIII baseball program, one of the best, producing champions in 1985 and 1994. We looked at this school for our oldest son who is dyslexic and dysgraphic but opted to keep him close to home.

God Bless & Good Luck.

http://www.uwosh.edu/

http://www.uwosh.edu/dean/disabilities/index.php

http://www.titans.uwosh.edu/Baseball/

Oh ya… you may have to put up with a few cheese head Packer fans.

P.S. This at least may help you understand curriculums available in college for LD students.

Plan your kid's post-high school education around his degree of Learning Disability. It takes a little research and effort on everyone's part but he can be a Rudy or a Nolan Ryan as long as he is not set up for failure.