William and Mary vs. Boston College vs. Case Western

[Anonymous]

BC will proclaim that 74% of ADMITTED students submitted an SAT.

Why are they trumpeting that when last year fewer than 30% of enrolled freshman submitted an SAT?

That's blatantly misleading. As others have mentioned the Common Data Set gives you the real apples to apples comparison.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:William and Mary, hands down. Not even close.

First question is money. Do you have a ton? If so it changes the answer. If 90k a year is nothing to you either because it is saved already or you are rich or high income then BC is the answer hands down. On the other hand if the above is not accurate go instate to W&M. CWU would lose in either case unless your kid loved it and you can afford it.

Whoever said BC is a B+ school is nuts. Have you looked at stats?

only 28% bother to submit an SAT, my brother. They take 2/3rds of their class from early decision. They're not getting the best and brightest

Aww, this brother has trouble with fractions. For BC, 3/4 submitted test scores snd averaged over 1500.

You mean 28% a little over 1/4?

Facts. BC is ranked #37. 75% submitted test scores for the class of 2029. Average SAT was over 1500. Yes, it's expensive, especially compared to a state school. Case Western reports a COA at $92,130.

How would you even know about test scores for class of 29? That data hasn't yet been shared. The last CDS shared was for the class of 27, and that data showed 44% submitted test scores. 75% is an enormous number. Even Notre Dame is less than that.

Is your google broken?

Help me out then. If you have a link, share it. You can't because it doesn't exist.

literally came up in the first google search. you can do it!

It doesn't exist. You just proved it. Plus, no school anywhere has shared 2025-2026 CDS (which would be class of 29) yet.

haha you think only CDS has this data. so sad!

CDS would be the only legitimate source for this data. If you are getting it elsewhere, it is flawed. No way 75% submitted test scores. There is only one place you could have pulled that data and it is not from google but from part of your body I will not decline naming.

You're such an ugly deterrent for anyone coming here looking for helpful college advice. Please go back to reddit or wherever it is you hang out.

My information is actually accurate while yours seeks to mislead and confuse. People, please don't let college website numbers confuse you. If you want to know for sure, look at the common data set, which is data supplied by all institutions for the sake of accuracy and fair comparisons. The 75% number is a gross misrepresentation because they are using admitted students, not enrolled students. Enrolled students is the only numbers that matter.

Does BC say these numbers are for admitted students?

This is where BC manipulates just like its ED. Right from the horse's mouth: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/sites/bc-news/articles/2025/spring/boston-college-admits-undergraduate-class-of-2029.html#:~:text=Academically%2C%2095%20percent%20of%20the,the%20University's%20test%20optional%20policy.

"Academically, 95 percent of the admitted students rank within the top 10 percent of their graduating classes and their SAT/ACT test scores average 1503 and 34, respectively. A total of 74 percent submitted standardized scores, despite the University’s test optional policy."

Then you look at the Common Data Set and realize that only 28% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT score.
2023-2024 common data set
https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/bc1/offices/irp/ir/cds/CDS_2023-2024-Final.pdf

Are you saying the data they present is wrong?

DP, but it appears what they are saying is BC is sharing data that may be misleading because it is for admitted students, not enrolled students (students that were accepted by BC AND accepted BC). This is different than data for enrolled students, which is in the CDS and is the best source for apples-to-apples comparisons.

Yes, I understand the difference between the data sets, thanks.

The school clearly presents the data as for admitted students. How is this misleading?

It's less misleading and more meaningless. Why would anyone bring this up? It's kind of like if they said "we want students with 1500+ SATs!!!!" Like....okay, I guess?

So it’s not “a gross misrepresentation”? The school isn’t manipulating the data?

Actually, it is kind of misleading because I think, regardless of what is actually on the announcement, people will assume it reflects enrollees. Same thing with Virginia Tech saying the number of spots instead of those admitted. It isn't an outright lie but it's misleading because it's putting in a statistic people wouldn't expect in an exact context where people would expect another statistic. They aren't manipulating the data, per se, but they are manipulating readers who don't know better (in this case, readers who don't connect the dots and realize that data is meaningless BS.)

It’s not misleading; it’s clearly stated. It’s not difficult to understand.

[Anonymous]

Wow. Another Catholic institution engaged in lies and a cover up. In MA too. Shocked….

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:William and Mary, hands down. Not even close.

First question is money. Do you have a ton? If so it changes the answer. If 90k a year is nothing to you either because it is saved already or you are rich or high income then BC is the answer hands down. On the other hand if the above is not accurate go instate to W&M. CWU would lose in either case unless your kid loved it and you can afford it.

Whoever said BC is a B+ school is nuts. Have you looked at stats?

only 28% bother to submit an SAT, my brother. They take 2/3rds of their class from early decision. They're not getting the best and brightest

Aww, this brother has trouble with fractions. For BC, 3/4 submitted test scores snd averaged over 1500.

You mean 28% a little over 1/4?

Facts. BC is ranked #37. 75% submitted test scores for the class of 2029. Average SAT was over 1500. Yes, it's expensive, especially compared to a state school. Case Western reports a COA at $92,130.

How would you even know about test scores for class of 29? That data hasn't yet been shared. The last CDS shared was for the class of 27, and that data showed 44% submitted test scores. 75% is an enormous number. Even Notre Dame is less than that.

Is your google broken?

Help me out then. If you have a link, share it. You can't because it doesn't exist.

literally came up in the first google search. you can do it!

It doesn't exist. You just proved it. Plus, no school anywhere has shared 2025-2026 CDS (which would be class of 29) yet.

haha you think only CDS has this data. so sad!

CDS would be the only legitimate source for this data. If you are getting it elsewhere, it is flawed. No way 75% submitted test scores. There is only one place you could have pulled that data and it is not from google but from part of your body I will not decline naming.

You're such an ugly deterrent for anyone coming here looking for helpful college advice. Please go back to reddit or wherever it is you hang out.

My information is actually accurate while yours seeks to mislead and confuse. People, please don't let college website numbers confuse you. If you want to know for sure, look at the common data set, which is data supplied by all institutions for the sake of accuracy and fair comparisons. The 75% number is a gross misrepresentation because they are using admitted students, not enrolled students. Enrolled students is the only numbers that matter.

Does BC say these numbers are for admitted students?

This is where BC manipulates just like its ED. Right from the horse's mouth: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/sites/bc-news/articles/2025/spring/boston-college-admits-undergraduate-class-of-2029.html#:~:text=Academically%2C%2095%20percent%20of%20the,the%20University's%20test%20optional%20policy.

"Academically, 95 percent of the admitted students rank within the top 10 percent of their graduating classes and their SAT/ACT test scores average 1503 and 34, respectively. A total of 74 percent submitted standardized scores, despite the University’s test optional policy."

Then you look at the Common Data Set and realize that only 28% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT score.
2023-2024 common data set
https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/bc1/offices/irp/ir/cds/CDS_2023-2024-Final.pdf

Are you saying the data they present is wrong?

DP, but it appears what they are saying is BC is sharing data that may be misleading because it is for admitted students, not enrolled students (students that were accepted by BC AND accepted BC). This is different than data for enrolled students, which is in the CDS and is the best source for apples-to-apples comparisons.

Yes, I understand the difference between the data sets, thanks.

The school clearly presents the data as for admitted students. How is this misleading?

It's less misleading and more meaningless. Why would anyone bring this up? It's kind of like if they said "we want students with 1500+ SATs!!!!" Like....okay, I guess?

So it’s not “a gross misrepresentation”? The school isn’t manipulating the data?

It is a gross misrepresentation even though it is accurate because it is presented to confuse and mislead prospective students. Most high school students don't even think about the difference between data for enrolled vs. admitted students. Sharing such information on admitted students is, as others point out, meaningless. The only admitted student information that is useful is number admitted vs applied to get a admission rate and ultimately yield rate once students enroll. That's about the extent of it. Look how Notre Dame presents stats on their website...it focuses mainly on enrolled students. https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/

You don’t understand the definition of gross misrepresentation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BC will proclaim that 74% of ADMITTED students submitted an SAT.

Why are they trumpeting that when last year fewer than 30% of enrolled freshman submitted an SAT?

That's blatantly misleading. As others have mentioned the Common Data Set gives you the real apples to apples comparison.

It’s not misleading; it’s true. If you want different data, go get it.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:William and Mary, hands down. Not even close.

First question is money. Do you have a ton? If so it changes the answer. If 90k a year is nothing to you either because it is saved already or you are rich or high income then BC is the answer hands down. On the other hand if the above is not accurate go instate to W&M. CWU would lose in either case unless your kid loved it and you can afford it.

Whoever said BC is a B+ school is nuts. Have you looked at stats?

only 28% bother to submit an SAT, my brother. They take 2/3rds of their class from early decision. They're not getting the best and brightest

Aww, this brother has trouble with fractions. For BC, 3/4 submitted test scores snd averaged over 1500.

You mean 28% a little over 1/4?

Facts. BC is ranked #37. 75% submitted test scores for the class of 2029. Average SAT was over 1500. Yes, it's expensive, especially compared to a state school. Case Western reports a COA at $92,130.

How would you even know about test scores for class of 29? That data hasn't yet been shared. The last CDS shared was for the class of 27, and that data showed 44% submitted test scores. 75% is an enormous number. Even Notre Dame is less than that.

Is your google broken?

Help me out then. If you have a link, share it. You can't because it doesn't exist.

literally came up in the first google search. you can do it!

It doesn't exist. You just proved it. Plus, no school anywhere has shared 2025-2026 CDS (which would be class of 29) yet.

haha you think only CDS has this data. so sad!

CDS would be the only legitimate source for this data. If you are getting it elsewhere, it is flawed. No way 75% submitted test scores. There is only one place you could have pulled that data and it is not from google but from part of your body I will not decline naming.

You're such an ugly deterrent for anyone coming here looking for helpful college advice. Please go back to reddit or wherever it is you hang out.

My information is actually accurate while yours seeks to mislead and confuse. People, please don't let college website numbers confuse you. If you want to know for sure, look at the common data set, which is data supplied by all institutions for the sake of accuracy and fair comparisons. The 75% number is a gross misrepresentation because they are using admitted students, not enrolled students. Enrolled students is the only numbers that matter.

Does BC say these numbers are for admitted students?

This is where BC manipulates just like its ED. Right from the horse's mouth: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/sites/bc-news/articles/2025/spring/boston-college-admits-undergraduate-class-of-2029.html#:~:text=Academically%2C%2095%20percent%20of%20the,the%20University's%20test%20optional%20policy.

"Academically, 95 percent of the admitted students rank within the top 10 percent of their graduating classes and their SAT/ACT test scores average 1503 and 34, respectively. A total of 74 percent submitted standardized scores, despite the University’s test optional policy."

Then you look at the Common Data Set and realize that only 28% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT score.
2023-2024 common data set
https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/bc1/offices/irp/ir/cds/CDS_2023-2024-Final.pdf

Are you saying the data they present is wrong?

DP, but it appears what they are saying is BC is sharing data that may be misleading because it is for admitted students, not enrolled students (students that were accepted by BC AND accepted BC). This is different than data for enrolled students, which is in the CDS and is the best source for apples-to-apples comparisons.

Yes, I understand the difference between the data sets, thanks.

The school clearly presents the data as for admitted students. How is this misleading?

It's less misleading and more meaningless. Why would anyone bring this up? It's kind of like if they said "we want students with 1500+ SATs!!!!" Like....okay, I guess?

So it’s not “a gross misrepresentation”? The school isn’t manipulating the data?

It is a gross misrepresentation even though it is accurate because it is presented to confuse and mislead prospective students. Most high school students don't even think about the difference between data for enrolled vs. admitted students. Sharing such information on admitted students is, as others point out, meaningless. The only admitted student information that is useful is number admitted vs applied to get a admission rate and ultimately yield rate once students enroll. That's about the extent of it. Look how Notre Dame presents stats on their website...it focuses mainly on enrolled students. https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/

Exactly this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BC will proclaim that 74% of ADMITTED students submitted an SAT.

Why are they trumpeting that when last year fewer than 30% of enrolled freshman submitted an SAT?

That's blatantly misleading. As others have mentioned the Common Data Set gives you the real apples to apples comparison.

It’s not misleading; it’s true. If you want different data, go get it.

Anyone would because that data means nothing.

[Anonymous]

Honest question about W&M. As an oos student from the ny area, W&M was very well regarded/prestigious when I went to college, and yet It's interesting that the school doesn't seem to be on anyone's list among the many non-dmv private school kids we know. Wondering what changed? Plenty of kids apply to schools in VA, MD, NC, SC region but why do we hear more about wake, south carolina, and many others, yet silence about W&M? Just wondering why... we did an online info session this year and it seems like they are making lots of renovations/improvements.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BC will proclaim that 74% of ADMITTED students submitted an SAT.

Why are they trumpeting that when last year fewer than 30% of enrolled freshman submitted an SAT?

That's blatantly misleading. As others have mentioned the Common Data Set gives you the real apples to apples comparison.

It’s not misleading; it’s true. If you want different data, go get it.

You’d have been a great mortgage broker circa 2007.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BC will proclaim that 74% of ADMITTED students submitted an SAT.

Why are they trumpeting that when last year fewer than 30% of enrolled freshman submitted an SAT?

That's blatantly misleading. As others have mentioned the Common Data Set gives you the real apples to apples comparison.

It’s not misleading; it’s true. If you want different data, go get it.

You’d have been a great mortgage broker circa 2007.

Best analogy on this thread yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BC will proclaim that 74% of ADMITTED students submitted an SAT.

Why are they trumpeting that when last year fewer than 30% of enrolled freshman submitted an SAT?

That's blatantly misleading. As others have mentioned the Common Data Set gives you the real apples to apples comparison.

It’s not misleading; it’s true. If you want different data, go get it.

You’d have been a great mortgage broker circa 2007.

[phone]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honest question about W&M. As an oos student from the ny area, W&M was very well regarded/prestigious when I went to college, and yet It's interesting that the school doesn't seem to be on anyone's list among the many non-dmv private school kids we know. Wondering what changed? Plenty of kids apply to schools in VA, MD, NC, SC region but why do we hear more about wake, south carolina, and many others, yet silence about W&M? Just wondering why... we did an online info session this year and it seems like they are making lots of renovations/improvements.

Not sure. Maybe different circles? The OOS % has actually increased in recent years as have median test scores. I could also see how a school like UofSC would have a more broad appeal to all levels of kids than W&M. Not sure about Wake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BC will proclaim that 74% of ADMITTED students submitted an SAT.

Why are they trumpeting that when last year fewer than 30% of enrolled freshman submitted an SAT?

That's blatantly misleading. As others have mentioned the Common Data Set gives you the real apples to apples comparison.

It’s not misleading; it’s true. If you want different data, go get it.

Anyone would because that data means nothing.

Meaningless. Useless. Irrelevant.

But not a gross misrepresentation.

Posters come to this forum and post garbage about the schools they don’t like. Someone posted on another thread that Case charges $99k/yr. Blatantly untrue. Saying BC grossly misrepresents data when it is accurate and clearly labeled is simply an attempt to post garbage about a school the poster doesn’t like.

The real question is why do they do it?

[Anonymous]

Boston College playing fast and loose with their admissions statistics?

Shocked. Shocked, I tell you.

There seems to be a rat race for prestige for the Boston schools, between BC, BU, Northeastern and Tufts, all trying to pretend they are more prestigious than they really are.

[Anonymous]

Some posters do tend to get irrational about certain schools. It’s a downside of the DCUM anonymity that you can’t see who is posting misinformation and then know to skip over everything else they post.