If your child got into a T25 in the last 2 years

[Anonymous]

These weighted GPAs don’t translate easily across school systems. DD top 5% Arlington Public Schools. 4.34 WGPA. Full IB. White UMC with decent ECs. No hooks. Introverted and quirky kid. Admitted to Top 10.

[Anonymous]

3.87 GPA top rigor (no weighting @ school)
35 ACT
36 ACT super score (over 2 tests)
36 on 3/4 subtests (over 2 tests)
No hooks

ED at T5 SLAC - WL then rejected at RD

RD rejections: two T10 and one T25

RD WL (with no WL movement): two T25

RD Acceptance: one T25

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:- what were their stats
- did they apply Test Optional
- did they have a hook (athletic recruit, first gen etc)
- did they apply ED

Just trying to understand what’s really possible. Our school’s SCOIR data includes students from many years ago.

4.0/4.7
1580
No hook
Accepted RD T25 and LAC T5
Attending LAC

[Anonymous]

4.0/4.0
34 ACT - no superstore
No hooks (AF)
ED to one T5 SLAC - deferred and then rejected
WL RD at another T5 SLAC - diid not pursue admission
Accepted RD at another T5 SLAC and will attend.
Numerous other good acceptances and merit scholarships but not accepted at WASH-U

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:- what were their stats
- did they apply Test Optional
- did they have a hook (athletic recruit, first gen etc)
- did they apply ED

Just trying to understand what’s really possible. Our school’s SCOIR data includes students from many years ago.

How about this, tell us your kid's stats and we will tell you if it is possible.

+1. Much faster. Give us your kid's stats as well as what state they are in and what type of school they are attending (public, independent, parochial). We will chance them.

Ok
4.0 UW / 4.7 W
1560 SAT (one time , no superscore)
5s on AP exams taken so far
12 APs , plus 2 years post BC Calc math (multi var calc and DifEq / linear Alg)
4 years varsity in one sport (but not recruited)
National qualifier in an academic Ec
Exceptional ECs in 2 areas w lots of initiative/ leadership and service

NP.. my DC had higher stats, but they were rejected at T25.

It's the essays. There are a gazillion students with great stats.

The essays are where it's at. It's the chance to shine. Some rise to the occasion. Some don't. It's the only place where you can get a an app reader to argue for you at the table. People ignore that at their peril.

Or it's just chance?

Nah. People really underestimating the power of a good essay.

Pretty sure that's how mine got into a top school. Had the grades and the test scores. But the essay was kick-ass. It was really funny and self-deprecating. It totally rocked.

Good writing generally corresponds with good thinking. It's the one spot where applicants can distinguish themselves. And don't even think about using AI or tutors. Readers can sense BS from a mile away

Essays. The dirty secret.

I think you are overestimate acting the impact of the essay, most admissions officers admit it has little impact on admissions decisions unless it is bade enough to eliminate a candidate.

+1. Most admissions officers will tell you that the essays aren’t even read until an application passes through several stages of “readers” who are looking for requisite GPAs, test scores, rank, ECs, etc. Only when the application makes it to the regional reps are essays read. Think about it -a small public admissions office like UVA can’t possibly read 54,000 multiple essays. Time reading essays is not going to be wasted on applicants who don’t meet what the school needs a looking on other criteria.

It entirely depends on the school. At many schools, essays are a critical part of the application. Yes lower tier apps will be dropped, but of those within range, essays are absolutely considered. And they can help sway a student’s application. Many students have the same stats afterall!

? Isn't that what the PP stated.

Yes

[Anonymous]

-Accepted ED UVA
-1430 SAT
-FCPS Low ranked HS - 4.4 gpa
-9 AP courses to include AP World Language
-URM
-3 sport varsity athlete -captain on one team
-Summer job with leadership position
-Youth sports coach

[Anonymous]

some of you guys are stretching the definition of T25 here ......

[Anonymous]

I’m not going to post bc you all would not believe me. No hooks, miracles happen people.shoot your shot!

[Anonymous]

NYC Private - no hooks. Asian STEM
GPA 3.65, SAT 1580, National Merit Finalist
One Top 20 (USNWR) attending
Got into 3 schools ranked 30 to 50
Deferred and rejected ED Ivy
Wailisted 3 other Top 25
Rejected rest, applied to 15 schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not going to post bc you all would not believe me. No hooks, miracles happen people.shoot your shot!

I would believe you. The schools we’re talking about here look at so much more than stats and accept many kids whose stats might not seem exceptional (in the context of the applicant pool for these schools; of course they’re exceptional in the context of the general population) based on the combination of essays, recs, ECs, etc.

FWIW, I’ve found Reddit Applying2College to have MUCH more helpful info than DCUM. There are verified AOs and admissions counselors on there who share a lot of great information, and they universally say what I’ve noted above. The assumption that you have to be a national award-winner with published research and perfect stats is just not true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These weighted GPAs don’t translate easily across school systems. DD top 5% Arlington Public Schools. 4.34 WGPA. Full IB. White UMC with decent ECs. No hooks. Introverted and quirky kid. Admitted to Top 10.

your DD was in an IB program? My DC is too. Was there anything you felt you needed to do differently on applications with an IB curriculum vs AP heavy?

[Anonymous]

Could someone list "real" EC vs not real ECs if possible? TIA!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could someone list "real" EC vs not real ECs if possible? TIA!

My kid’s ECs are real. The other kid’s ECs are not real.

[Anonymous]

Two years ago
Big 3 private - about 3.85? GPA
1550 SAT
no hooks, but lots of good extracurriculars
admitted ED to top 5 SLAC

[Anonymous]

Attended one of the top private high schools in country (so we're told)
3.83 gpa UW
1550 (single sitting)
National level distinctions: National Merit Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction (seven 5s and one 4), French award (forgot name, sorry)
City level distinctions: all league soccer, won league in 3 track events
School level distinctions: CS award, math award, track captain, track record holder
EC: caregiver for neighbor with dementia

Attends a top 10 LAC