To give you a better idea of potential colleges, we need more information:
* Course rigor: What level of courses did your son take (honors, AP, IB)? A higher level of coursework, even with a lower GPA, can demonstrate academic ambition.
* Upward trend: Did his GPA improve over time? Showing an upward trend is very positive.
* Extracurricular activities: What are his extracurricular activities and accomplishments? Strong extracurricular involvement can significantly strengthen his application.
* Essays and letters of recommendation: These can be crucial in showing his personality, motivation, and potential.
* Intended major: Certain majors are more competitive than others.
* Location preferences: Does he prefer a specific region of the country?
General categories of colleges to consider:
* Colleges that prioritize test scores: Some schools place more weight on standardized test scores than GPA. However, a 2.6 GPA will still likely limit the reach to colleges with less stringent admission standards.
* Colleges with open admissions or less selective admissions: Community colleges and many state universities (especially those with less competitive programs) offer open or less selective admissions. This would be a good place to start. He could attend for two years to improve his GPA and then transfer to a more selective four-year institution.
* Colleges that emphasize holistic review: Some schools look beyond just GPA and test scores, considering the whole applicant. This is where strong extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation become vital.
Finding specific colleges: I recommend using online college search tools like:
* Naviance: (If your high school uses it) This is a powerful tool that can suggest colleges based on your son's profile and preferences.
* Common Data Set: This provides data on college admissions from the colleges themselves. You can filter by GPA and test scores, but remember to consider holistic factors.
* College Board's BigFuture: This tool helps students research colleges and scholarships.
* US News & World Report: This provides college rankings and profiles, but it's important not to rely solely on rankings.
In summary, while a 32 ACT score is impressive, the 2.6 GPA significantly limits the range of highly selective colleges your son can realistically apply to. Focusing on colleges with less stringent admissions requirements, while also presenting a compelling narrative through his application materials, is crucial for success. I strongly advise him to focus on schools where he can thrive academically and personally.