Sky-High GPAs at Virginia State Schools? Time to Ground Expectations and Open Doors

[Anonymous]

I can't wrap my head around why Virginia state schools like UVA, Virginia Tech, and JMU are setting their GPA requirements so high. For instance, UVA wants a 4.3, Virginia Tech a 4.0, and JMU a 3.5. It feels like they're trying to compete with Ivy Leagues, which might make sense for private schools that thrive on exclusivity, but for public universities funded by taxpayer dollars? That just doesn’t sit right with me.

My own kid, who is gifted in math and computers and two grade levels ahead in these subjects, is looking at Virginia Tech because of its strong emphasis on tech and computer programs. Yet, he might have to reconsider his top choice because he faces challenges in foreign languages and English, and those could drag his GPA down. It's absurd that a student who excels in the exact fields a school specializes in might miss out because of a few lower grades in unrelated areas. I also have to tell him that getting a B or B+ isn't good enough, which to me seems absurd.

Also, why not increase their capacity? More seats would mean more students getting a good education without the crazy pressure of scoring more than a perfect GPA. Another idea could be to limit the number of out-of-state or international students to free up more spots for in-state students, ensuring that Virginia's own have better access to these educational resources.

Isn’t it time we reassess these academic expectations to make higher education more accessible and relevant to what students are actually studying and excelling in? Shouldn't state schools focus on educating more students rather than acting like they're something they’re not? Let's hear some opinions on this!

[Anonymous]

you kid should go to a technical college--they would do great there--

[Anonymous]

My 4.3 NOVA kid was waitlisted at JMU as were several at the high school. Much lower out of state required though. Many of those same students were admitted to Tech. Weird year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:you kid should go to a technical college--they would do great there--

Virginia Tech is Virginia Public Technical College!

[Anonymous]

I would want to know the % of kids enrolled at the Va. public schools who are _Virginians_. I know it varies among the universities.

Because here's the thing: if the % of state residents is "high" and the bar to entry is also high (say, 4.3 and 1470 or something), then I don't see the problem. It just means that State School X is enrolling the generally best-performing Virginia residents.

If however the bar is high for entry but a lot of the kids come from New Jersey, that's a different matter.

re: OP's point about being mediocre at Spanish and thus not earning a lotto ticket to do CS at Va Tech ... why not just study harder in the don't-come-easily-to-me subjects? My own kid is a brilliant writer but also sucked at Spanish and really struggled with Calc+. Higher order math shouldn't matter for his future life as a corporate lawyer, but he spent 6x as long studying Calc / Chem / Physics to get that high grade because he needs that entry into Exclusive U. to be the lawyer he wants to be someday.

All the CS wannabes could probably do the same with English comp, no?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 4.3 NOVA kid was waitlisted at JMU as were several at the high school. Much lower out of state required though. Many of those same students were admitted to Tech. Weird year.

How on earth did that happen?

[Anonymous]

Flip it. Have him apply, and likely get merit aid, to the publics of other states. Look at the USNWR rank of VT, and choose schools a little better or further down.
Yes Op, your complaint is valid and extremely frustrating ~ just trying to emphasize a real option.

[Anonymous]

In order to increase capacity, they have to also increase faculty. They would have to increase dorms and also the surrounding town would need more apartments, grocery stores, and other businesses suited for college students (I think the local residents are already not pleased with the growth that has already happened. They'd need to increase the food services on campus. So many things would need to be increased and it's not just as simple as "just admit more students."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In order to increase capacity, they have to also increase faculty. They would have to increase dorms and also the surrounding town would need more apartments, grocery stores, and other businesses suited for college students (I think the local residents are already not pleased with the growth that has already happened. They'd need to increase the food services on campus. So many things would need to be increased and it's not just as simple as "just admit more students."

pp quoting myself here

https://www.wfxrtv.com/virginia-tech-news/blacksburg-mayor-raises-concerns-about-virginia-techs-expanding-student-population/

This article explains what I was thinking.

[Anonymous]

How many students are in vs out of state? My understanding was that other states prioritize in state students more than Virginia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't wrap my head around why Virginia state schools like UVA, Virginia Tech, and JMU are setting their GPA requirements so high. For instance, UVA wants a 4.3, Virginia Tech a 4.0, and JMU a 3.5. It feels like they're trying to compete with Ivy Leagues, which might make sense for private schools that thrive on exclusivity, but for public universities funded by taxpayer dollars? That just doesn’t sit right with me.

My own kid, who is gifted in math and computers and two grade levels ahead in these subjects, is looking at Virginia Tech because of its strong emphasis on tech and computer programs. Yet, he might have to reconsider his top choice because he faces challenges in foreign languages and English, and those could drag his GPA down. It's absurd that a student who excels in the exact fields a school specializes in might miss out because of a few lower grades in unrelated areas. I also have to tell him that getting a B or B+ isn't good enough, which to me seems absurd.

Also, why not increase their capacity? More seats would mean more students getting a good education without the crazy pressure of scoring more than a perfect GPA. Another idea could be to limit the number of out-of-state or international students to free up more spots for in-state students, ensuring that Virginia's own have better access to these educational resources.

Isn’t it time we reassess these academic expectations to make higher education more accessible and relevant to what students are actually studying and excelling in? Shouldn't state schools focus on educating more students rather than acting like they're something they’re not? Let's hear some opinions on this!

You seem to be forgetting that there are several good Virginia universities besides UVA/VT/W&M/JMU. Why can't your kid study CS at GMU or VCU, for example? The fact is there IS a seat at a Virginia university for kids with less than stellar GPA, even if you believe some of those universities aren't good enough for your kid.

[Anonymous]

Why on earth should these schools expand or lower their standards? They are large enough and there are many other good in-state options.

[Anonymous]

So, in other words, you want your kid to do less work than the kids who are actually accepted? I really can’t roll my eyes hard enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth should these schools expand or lower their standards? They are large enough and there are many other good in-state options.

This. There are people that won't be happy unless 100% of students are in-state, but no school--and most applicants--want a mix of in state and OOS.
OP, to answer your question, these schools can require this kind of GPA because they have more than enough applicants that meet that. I assure you that your kid will find a great school for them. There are many, MANY great options.

[Anonymous]

Curious where you’re getting this info and also reminding folks that even in VA there is a wide discrepancy in how individual school districts calculate GPA.