Rejections

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having such a high SAT score with a relatively low GPA makes him look low effort.

I agree with this statement. It makes him look like a "good test taker" except that he likely didn't prepare for his tests in classes. Aren't there remedy pathways to correct low grades? I'm estimating that the OP's kid had a couple of Cs on his transcript to have a 3.58 gpa. I thought there's a way to fix these types of grades at nova high schools--am I wrong?

A 3.58uw is a mix of As and Bs. Sure, there could be a C in there, but 3.58 is a solid A/B student, which is pretty good in most places outside of NOVA, MCPS "W" schools and other wealthy pressure-cooker communities. As one PP said, 95% of schools would've accepted OP's kid, but he only applied to reach schools + two safeties. No targets.

And the bolded is exactly the problem and why kids/families are surprised. Solid A/B students are now getting rejected from schools that just a year ago or few years ago were targets. Not everyone can be a straight A student taking the highest rigor, while maintaining a job and three extracurricular activities and a notable research project. An admissions per was just the other day giving band activities low weight for extracurricular while acknowledging how time consuming it is and how much outside practice was required and noting that it takes a lot to stand out.

We have lost the plot. What are we asking from kids at this point? No wonder they are burned out and having mental health issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having such a high SAT score with a relatively low GPA makes him look low effort.

I agree with this statement. It makes him look like a "good test taker" except that he likely didn't prepare for his tests in classes. Aren't there remedy pathways to correct low grades? I'm estimating that the OP's kid had a couple of Cs on his transcript to have a 3.58 gpa. I thought there's a way to fix these types of grades at nova high schools--am I wrong?

A 3.58uw is a mix of As and Bs. Sure, there could be a C in there, but 3.58 is a solid A/B student, which is pretty good in most places outside of NOVA, MCPS "W" schools and other wealthy pressure-cooker communities. As one PP said, 95% of schools would've accepted OP's kid, but he only applied to reach schools + two safeties. No targets.

And the bolded is exactly the problem and why kids/families are surprised. Solid A/B students are now getting rejected from schools that just a year ago or few years ago were targets. Not everyone can be a straight A student taking the highest rigor, while maintaining a job and three extracurricular activities and a notable research project. An admissions per was just the other day giving band activities low weight for extracurricular while acknowledging how time consuming it is and how much outside practice was required and noting that it takes a lot to stand out.

We have lost the plot. What are we asking from kids at this point? No wonder they are burned out and having mental health issues.

It has been this way since at least 2020 so it is unfortunately it is not new. I blame the high schools first due to grade inflation, though I understand that is a nationwide problem. Secondly, most of them wait until junior year to start counseling the students and trying to rein in expectations in terms of college lists. The main thing students (and parents) get from using an external consultant is cool hard truth. The cold hard truth is class rank, max rigor with A's, perhpas a B or two in 9th or 10th grade, but not junior year, EC's with impact (leadership, awards etc) is what it takes to have a shot at T30 and even with all of that it is just a chance as there are far more kids who have all of that than there are spots for them. The upside of this is that there are dozens of other colleges that are great where those students can and will thrive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC had a 1590 SAT, 4.95 WGPA, stellar internships and recommendations. Accepted at just 1 Ivy, WL in 2 and rejects at others. flagship state schools were either a WL or acceptances. Surprised with the outcome.

Why were you surprised? Ivys are a lottery and you just need to hit one.

“Just one Ivy” 🙄

[Anonymous]

Virginia received $893.5 million from more than 23,000 international students at its colleges and universities from 2024 to 2025, according to the Association of International Educators (NAFSA).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Virginia received $893.5 million from more than 23,000 international students at its colleges and universities from 2024 to 2025, according to the Association of International Educators (NAFSA).

Okay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC had a 1590 SAT, 4.95 WGPA, stellar internships and recommendations. Accepted at just 1 Ivy, WL in 2 and rejects at others. flagship state schools were either a WL or acceptances. Surprised with the outcome.

Why were you surprised? Ivys are a lottery and you just need to hit one.

“Just one Ivy” 🙄

It only takes one.

[Anonymous]

My nephew was similar: 1560 SAT and a mix of As and Bs. He got rejected by a couple reaches, waitlisted at a couple reaches, but into every single target (Pitt, Macalaster, Fordham, GW) and a couple that are reaches for this profile (Northeastern and BC). He's lucky that his parents can pay for private but the point is, you have to make a balanced list.

My kid with lower stats than OP's last year got into: Virginia Tech, JMU, Tennessee, Penn State, UConn, Pitt, and Delaware.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC had a 1590 SAT, 4.95 WGPA, stellar internships and recommendations. Accepted at just 1 Ivy, WL in 2 and rejects at others. flagship state schools were either a WL or acceptances. Surprised with the outcome.

We must have the same kid! Almost exactly stats and outcomes

Stop talking about my kid, guys!

[Anonymous]

Hello I’m Jayden Braden, I am 17 and I live in Northern Virginia.

I play a sport (soccer) but I’m not State Champion or Olympic Level.

I have great test scores but not a 1600.

I have good grades, a 3.9 unweighted. I’m not valedictorian.

I volunteer somewhere obvious like a hospital or food bank. I did the required hours.

I was a Boy Scout but I’m not an Eagle.

Summers I am a lifeguard at my local pool club.

My family has enough money for my state flagship, but not necessarily full pay at a private. I haven’t won any nationally competitive scholarships like Coca-Cola.

I wrote my essay on how college will help me broaden my horizons.

There are literally tens of thousands of applicants like me in every state.

I am applying mostly to colleges with a sub 10% admit rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:op again
sorry about the typos on my previous post.

Which OOS public did he apply to? All high reaches?

Case Western, Ga Tech UMd

Case western was waitlist? We have a friend that had a rough go of it but got in there and just had a fab admitted student day. Have you submitted a LOCI and said it would be your first choice if accepted? Might be a serendipitous gem. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

They very much review each in the context of the school. That’s why they have the profile. The higher rigor is rewarded at most selective schools. I used to be a reader and digging it was the most important and time consuming part of the review. Most schools read in teams that deeply know the high school offerings as well.

[Anonymous]

I am wondering how he got Bs in a school where 20% are straight A students. It seems that is a bigger issue than where he goes for college. No one seems to care.

[Anonymous]

Op, I remember your previous posts. I really hope your son gets off the waitlist for VT. I just wanted to send a supportive message.

[Anonymous]

Was CW a waitlist? If so I would send a LOCI letter asap. Say it’s your first choice if admitted. Where else was WL? Look into rolling schools. Pitt, Loyola Chicago (had a friend tour today and loved it) and others. Or embrace VCU or GM and love it or transfer. A shame someone didn’t help with a better target list. NACAC will publish a list of schools in the next week or two showing which schools are still accepting apps. Hang in there.

[Anonymous]

I think OP wants in state schools