is applying Test Optional to UVA arts and sciences disadvantageous

[Anonymous]

UVA AOs say that they do not need test scores to extend offers, but in reality, how much is it going to hurt an applicant?

[Anonymous]

It doesn’t at all, as long as all your other duckies are in a row.

—Admissions consultant

[Anonymous]

You can look at their cds data and see how many accepted kids applied test optional. It’s a lower percentage than I expected given how many times I I’ve heard Dean J say test optional is fine on her Insta talks,

[Anonymous]

Test optional is fine at UVA but everything else needs to be outstanding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Test optional is fine at UVA but everything else needs to be outstanding.

My kid is submitting a 33….
OOS though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Test optional is fine at UVA but everything else needs to be outstanding.

My kid is submitting a 33….
OOS though.

What’s the 50% in CDS?

[Anonymous]

It is if you are not otherwise hooked

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can look at their cds data and see how many accepted kids applied test optional. It’s a lower percentage than I expected given how many times I I’ve heard Dean J say test optional is fine on her Insta talks,

[Anonymous]

The CDS data will give you overall. UVA's own data site gives breakdown by schools.

https://ira.virginia.edu/university-data-home/undergraduate-admissions

[Anonymous]

This is probably not helpful. My DS applied test optional this last cycle because his SAT was very low for UVA, even during the pre-test optional era. He was deferred then ultimately waitlisted - BUT he also had one C in IB Chemistry (the year FCPS was online for 3/4 of the school year.) I do think the combination of test optional and one C was what waitlisted him. If that grade had been a B-, he might have been admitted test optional but who knows.

[Anonymous]

You have to imagine that the range of scores they're getting is small, so it makes sense that they don't find them significant anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t at all, as long as all your other duckies are in a row.

—Admissions consultant

+1

[Anonymous]

If I were an UMC white kid from NOVA I’d submit my scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I were an UMC white kid from NOVA I’d submit my scores.

That is the key question, and the data doesn't distinguish. One other point, if you are applying to Engineering, the percentage submitting is about 20 points higher, and the standardized test scores are also higher than UVA average. Lower percentages submitting for Education, Nursing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to imagine that the range of scores they're getting is small, so it makes sense that they don't find them significant anymore.

With close to 50% not submitting scores, high scores would be helpful.

I keep hearing that if you come from a good school district, are MC-UMV-Wealthy, no scores = low scores to universities nowadays. As our Counselor likes to say, nobody is NOT submitting a 35 or 1500 SAT.