Scattergrams - how to interpret

[Anonymous]

Our school begrudgingly lets us see scattergrams on SCOIR/Naviance. Separate thread on why this school is so innumerate, hating of scores, ranking, data.

Here's my question, if a kid is in the range of 75th percentile of admitted GPAs (the smallest square) and 50th on test score, would that re-rate a college with 10-15% global acceptance rate from a reach to a low reach / target?

I'm trying to understand how to view this data and practically how to interpret it

[Anonymous]

No, I don’t think so. I use the scattergrams to judge if a school admits based on stats (so for example, they might take only a few kids but those kids admitted are among those in the upper right corner) or have a more “vibes-based” pattern where the admits are scattered throughout. I think that’s helpful in gauging the odds.

If Harvard’s admissions rate is 5%, I might think a certain kid’s odds are more like 20% or even 30% based on flawless stars but I wouldn’t consider it a target under any scenario.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on the school.

Harvard rejects almost all of the 4.0 and 1600 kids it gets, so even though those stats are at or above the 75th, it's not a target or even a low reach unless you have a Nobel Prize.

But a school like Purdue, which is a reach for many people, probably accepts the majority of kids over the 75th. It could well be a match for a highly capable kid.

I would look at that top right corner on the scattergram and see what you see. If it's a sea of acceptances, then you're probably OK thinking of it as a target, especially if the acceptance rate is above the teens. If the acceptance rate is under 20, and/or the top right corner is a mix of acceptances, rejections and waitlists, then I would assume it's still a reach.

[Anonymous]

Note, they will also look at the test score in context of the high school. It is a top percentile test score in comparison other from that high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our school begrudgingly lets us see scattergrams on SCOIR/Naviance. Separate thread on why this school is so innumerate, hating of scores, ranking, data.

Here's my question, if a kid is in the range of 75th percentile of admitted GPAs (the smallest square) and 50th on test score, would that re-rate a college with 10-15% global acceptance rate from a reach to a low reach / target?

I'm trying to understand how to view this data and practically how to interpret it

Take Georgetown or Wellesley as examples, their admit rates are in that range.
I would say yes, in the context of your school, they become low reach, as long as other parts of the application is as strong as the numbers. These include rigor, recommendation, and essay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our school begrudgingly lets us see scattergrams on SCOIR/Naviance. Separate thread on why this school is so innumerate, hating of scores, ranking, data.

Here's my question, if a kid is in the range of 75th percentile of admitted GPAs (the smallest square) and 50th on test score, would that re-rate a college with 10-15% global acceptance rate from a reach to a low reach / target?

I'm trying to understand how to view this data and practically how to interpret it

Take Georgetown or Wellesley as examples, their admit rates are in that range.
I would say yes, in the context of your school, they become low reach, as long as other parts of the application is as strong as the numbers. These include rigor, recommendation, and essay.

And if it's DC's first choice, ED there will likely give you a boost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our school begrudgingly lets us see scattergrams on SCOIR/Naviance. Separate thread on why this school is so innumerate, hating of scores, ranking, data.

Here's my question, if a kid is in the range of 75th percentile of admitted GPAs (the smallest square) and 50th on test score, would that re-rate a college with 10-15% global acceptance rate from a reach to a low reach / target?

I'm trying to understand how to view this data and practically how to interpret it

Take Georgetown or Wellesley as examples, their admit rates are in that range.
I would say yes, in the context of your school, they become low reach, as long as other parts of the application is as strong as the numbers. These include rigor, recommendation, and essay.

And if it's DC's first choice, ED there will likely give you a boost.

super helpful thank you