UVA strategy: RD vs ED?
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Anonymous
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If a kid is in a spot on the Scattergrams where some kids are accepted but many others are not, would it be better to apply ED to UVA in the hope he gets an extra look and a little boost? Or would it be better to wait until the RD round to keep pushing the GPA upward?
Rigor is strong all throughout high school, so they'll see that whether he does ED or RD. He has very good ECs and is a bit spiky for his interest but it isn't a unique interest. He is likely to be somewhere between 4.2-4.3 at a school where most 4.4s get in. SATs likely around 1450 (though he is hoping to raise it). Kid absolutely loves UVA and older sibling attended (but he had much stronger stats). Thanks for advice. |
Anonymous
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UVA publishes statistics on admissions. It is very open about that. SCHEV also has online numbers.
For a well-qualified in-state student, the statistical odds of admission to UVa are best ED, EA is 2nd best, and RD is hardest (again statistically speaking). |
Anonymous
Thanks. I checked the stats and definitely see that ED has a much higher admissions rate (though I suspect some of these are hooked and some may be exceptionally strong students). But I am wondering about the strategy for someone who is qualified but not at all a shoo-in. Do people think UVA would look at the classes and assume the GPA will continue to go up incrementally (in which case, kid would go ED)? Or is it better to wait to have the stronger GPA in hand? |
Anonymous
They’re not going to assume anything. And everyone is in the same situation so you get no advantage (by your logic everyone’s gpa probably goes up). If UVA is the absolute #1, then definitely go ED. |
Anonymous
| UVA says the early groups are stronger academically than the RD one and to wait for RD if senior grades will make you look better. |
Anonymous
When we toured UVA in spring of 2024 the admissions person definitely told the entire crowd this when we were all together in the auditorium. "Wait to apply RD if your senior grades will be higher." |
Anonymous
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If UVA defers lots of ED applicants, then apply ED. Otherwise, apply RD.
Do you have an explanation of the “lower” GPA? Is there an upward trend? My kid has similar issues. He got a deliberate condition and voluntarily chose mostly standard classes in the first couple of years, but his course loads for junior and senior years are very rigorous (10 mostly core AP classes total). He has 4.0 uwGPA, but his wGPA has a sharp upward trend. He was deferred ED by a top 15 (reach) college, but already got into a few in the 20-40 range. He also applied to a handful of other top 15 (all reach) in the RD. With his good mid-year grades (all As), I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up getting into at least one reach school (possibly the deferred ED one) in late March. But he’s very happy with his top choice among the offers so far and is preparing as if he’s attending that school next year. I’m very happy for him! |
Anonymous
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Dean J has stated multiple times-if you want senior grades to be considered apply RD.
My ‘24 daughter was waitlisted with a 4.0/4.2 GPA in EA round (this is one year they didn’t defer to RD). She just didn’t have enough rigor (5 IB/AP classes). Her senior year she took 5 more IB/AP classes and still ended up with all As. I do think she would have been accepted if either A) applied RD or B) been deferred. |
Anonymous
| 1450 /under 4.0 is going to be tough at UVA unless another hook. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| Yes but. At 4.2 or 4.3 you are in the ballpark already -- not sure you are going to get much of a bump from Senior grades enough to make it worth the while to go RD. If that's really truly the dream school, go ED. Beat the competition. |
Anonymous
| I didn't realize people got senior grades before Jan 1 of senior year.....our school only does grades at the end of the year (IB). |
Anonymous
| How strong are UVa ED admits at your school generally? If admits are usually good, my gut would be to hit ED. You don’t get what you don’t ask for. Your kid loves uva, love them back and commit early. Try hard to nail that SAT. Sounds like your kid is really in the zone. Mine kept retaking it and prepping and had scores ranging from low 1400 to over 1500 (and done!). Good luck, OP! Watch Dean J on instagram. Helps get the vibe for what they are looking for. My kid is at UVA and really happy. |
Anonymous
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GPA doesn’t usually include semester grades, only final end of year grades. You could make a nice showing with the semester grades and that could help a student on the bubble, but it won’t be calculated into the GPA most likely.
If UVA is the first choice, apply ED. You can send semester grades if deferred. |
Anonymous
| If your kid does go ED UVA, be sure to get a bunch of EA apps in on time and shiny, so options will be strong. Some schools take most of their class early so waiting until after you hear in December and cranking out apps is a bad plan. Both my kids went to their ED school and one had 8 apps in by the time they got the admit and the other had 10. Both left a few big essay / demanding app RD schools to deal with after the news. |
Anonymous
| ED admitted around 25% in state, deferred another 25% and rejected 50%. |