1600 SAT, 10 APs, 5 DEs, 5 college math/CS courses. Kid wants UVA ED, but I think they can aim higher?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you Asian? What are kid’s ECs?

OP reminds me of Stanley Zhong. Zhong’s GPA is higher though not top 10% of the class.

https://abc30.com/amp/post/stanley-zhong-google-college-admissions-rabbitsign/13894948/

Stanley Zhong is in deed top 9% of his class, he just happen to be an Asian boy wanting CS major, and SAT 1590 is useless in UC application.

Considering a third failed CS 10 course in UCB, LOL

That was a massive AI cheating scandal, F for academic dishonesty, not falling due to academic performance.

https://www.dailycal.org/news/campus/academics/failing-grades-soar-as-professors-see-greater-ai-usage-dwindling-math-skills-in-uc-berkeley/article_16fad0bf-02cb-4b8c-8d88-888ffd9f8608.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This profile sounds familiar.

The “college level” cs/math classes are DE classes from a community college? I don’t think they mean much at all for top colleges, as they’re of pretty low quality. I know the truly exceptional kids take classes directly at the top universities.

Are the eng/history DE classes supposed to be above AP levels?

This is idiotic. Elite colleges don't enroll high school students, and the *intro* college courses are also "low quality"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dumb question - how did he take all of these classes? My kid has 7 classes a year. 1 is PE, one is a non-honors elective, and math/Spanish are non-honors as the school doesn't offer an honorable track (just AP when you get to that point). So he had 2 honors classes and one AP. Next year will be the same. I spoke with the college counselor who confirmed he's on the most challenging track. Is this school just an even worse public school than I thought? She said they send alot of kids to UVA.

Every school is different, so no one will know unless you name the school.

In our school it’s common to start language and math in 7th grade so you can get multiple years of honors/AP language in. PE can be taken over the summer to free up space for more AP courses. Additional DE courses can be done over the summer or in the evenings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This profile sounds familiar.

The “college level” cs/math classes are DE classes from a community college? I don’t think they mean much at all for top colleges, as they’re of pretty low quality. I know the truly exceptional kids take classes directly at the top universities.

Are the eng/history DE classes supposed to be above AP levels?

This is idiotic. Elite colleges don't enroll high school students, and the *intro* college courses are also "low quality"

Not true:
-I’ve seen examples of kids doing classes in top colleges. But these kids were truly exceptional, not the AP/DE level kids;
-Some intro classes in top colleges could be very challenging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a Virginia junior looking for honest feedback on ED/EA strategy for a CS/math/AI/engineering kid.

Student has a 1600 SAT, roughly 6 honors courses, 10 APs, 5 dual-enrollment courses, and additional real college-level math/CS through community college. This is beyond the normal AP/DE path: Calculus I/II, Multivariable/Calc III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Discrete Math, and Computer Organization.

They also have a real builder/technical profile: coding projects, AI work, GitHub/portfolio, programming tutoring, project/nonprofit leadership, and external validation from a selective tech/startup-style program.

Student likes UVA a lot and wants to apply Early Decision. We are in-state, and UVA has obvious advantages: cost, prestige, balance, social life, and possible credit transfer.

My concern is that UVA ED may limit them too early. I think they may have a real shot at stronger CS/engineering fits like Georgia Tech, MIT, CMU, Purdue, UIUC, Michigan, Cornell Engineering, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, etc. Georgia Tech especially seems like a strong fit: elite CS/engineering, good value compared with private elites, big-school energy, and likely more balanced/fun than some of the most intense tech schools.

I am not knocking UVA. It may end up being the best overall choice. But would you let a student like this do UVA ED, or push for UVA EA so they can keep Georgia Tech and higher-ranked CS/engineering options open?

Trying to balance "UVA is excellent" with "do not lock in too early if the student may have a real shot above UVA for CS/engineering."

lol...slipping Michigan in there

Forgot to add GPA: about 3.8 unweighted**, estimated 4.35-4.5 weighted, with the separate community college math/CS courses around an A average so far. Junior year is where there is a noticeable jump in both grades and rigor, including the advanced college coursework.

yes my point is that through my research here are the school "better" than UVA i am concerend they are going to miss out, with this profile here is the esimates based (these are not exact but i spent months creating context with an MCP /agent)


MIT: 4-8%
CMU SCS: 5-10%
Stanford: 3-8%
Berkeley EECS/CS: 8-15%
Georgia Tech: 15-25%
Princeton: 5-10%
Cornell Engineering: 10-18%
UIUC CS: 10-20% direct CS, higher for CS+X/math/engineering
Michigan: 20-35%
Purdue: 35-55%
Penn Engineering: 6-12%
Columbia Engineering: 6-12%
Duke: 10-20%
Rice: 10-20%
UVA: 45-60%

has your kid visiting the other schools? why do they love UVA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SAT does not make up for grades at these really selective schools.

That sounds right to me. From my research, I would expect a straight A student with max rigor and a 1450 SAT would be viewed more favorably at UVA than a student with a 3.8 GPA and a 1600 SAT. I understand that at many selective schools, a strong SAT score is more a threshold to cross and confirm that the high grades are legit than it is a way to rank students. Once you clear the bar, which at schools like Virginia Tech could be 1350, and at UVA could be 1450 or so, the SAT doesn't matter that much. I did hear that some schools care more about a high SAT than others (e.g., Vanderbilt) but UVA is not one of those. I am not an expert here, just a dad who has read a lot of college admissions info recently, so correct me if I'm wrong.

[Anonymous]

What is the B in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many said UVA is a great school, disagree when it comes to engineering or CS. I think this is a kid who would do really well at UIUC or Purdue or UMD. Georgia Tech is good too but really too competitive for OOS. Other elite schools appear to be unrealistic.

OP, has your DC toured some of these schools? For an engineering/CS/AI kid, they are 100x more exciting.

DP Other than MIT, CMU, Stanford, which schools have legitimate AI programs and professors who are truly connected to the forefront?

According to USNWR 2026 Best Undergraduate Schools for AI
1. CMU
2. MIT
3. Stanford
4 UC Berkely
5. Georgia Tech

According to USNWR 2026 Best Undergraduate Schools for Engineering
1. MIT
2. Stanford
3. Georgia Tech (tie)
3. UC Berkely (tie)
5. Cal Tech

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAT does not make up for grades at these really selective schools.

That sounds right to me. From my research, I would expect a straight A student with max rigor and a 1450 SAT would be viewed more favorably at UVA than a student with a 3.8 GPA and a 1600 SAT. I understand that at many selective schools, a strong SAT score is more a threshold to cross and confirm that the high grades are legit than it is a way to rank students. Once you clear the bar, which at schools like Virginia Tech could be 1350, and at UVA could be 1450 or so, the SAT doesn't matter that much. I did hear that some schools care more about a high SAT than others (e.g., Vanderbilt) but UVA is not one of those. I am not an expert here, just a dad who has read a lot of college admissions info recently, so correct me if I'm wrong.

I had a kid like this - perfect SAT but imperfect GPA with top rigor. Upward trend though. It was very hard to figure out how he would do in college admissions. On Naviance, the kids with his test scores didn't have his GPA and those with his GPA didn't have his test scores.

He got into his ED1 choice which was a reachy and very selective SLAC. He wasn't aiming for Ivy/MIT level. So I still don't know what was possible.

I do think there is some added bang for a perfect SAT score.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAT does not make up for grades at these really selective schools.

That sounds right to me. From my research, I would expect a straight A student with max rigor and a 1450 SAT would be viewed more favorably at UVA than a student with a 3.8 GPA and a 1600 SAT. I understand that at many selective schools, a strong SAT score is more a threshold to cross and confirm that the high grades are legit than it is a way to rank students. Once you clear the bar, which at schools like Virginia Tech could be 1350, and at UVA could be 1450 or so, the SAT doesn't matter that much. I did hear that some schools care more about a high SAT than others (e.g., Vanderbilt) but UVA is not one of those. I am not an expert here, just a dad who has read a lot of college admissions info recently, so correct me if I'm wrong.

I had a kid like this - perfect SAT but imperfect GPA with top rigor. Upward trend though. It was very hard to figure out how he would do in college admissions. On Naviance, the kids with his test scores didn't have his GPA and those with his GPA didn't have his test scores.

He got into his ED1 choice which was a reachy and very selective SLAC. He wasn't aiming for Ivy/MIT level. So I still don't know what was possible.

I do think there is some added bang for a perfect SAT score.

I think for the Top Engineering/Tech Schools it's not as much as a bang. Especially those that do not to Early Decision. They are use to seeing top 99% and higher scores on their applications. They assume top GPA I think what they more want to see is a dynamic applicant that stands out among the thousands. Service in community, took leadership school activities, showed interest in subject matter they want to study in college etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAT does not make up for grades at these really selective schools.

That sounds right to me. From my research, I would expect a straight A student with max rigor and a 1450 SAT would be viewed more favorably at UVA than a student with a 3.8 GPA and a 1600 SAT. I understand that at many selective schools, a strong SAT score is more a threshold to cross and confirm that the high grades are legit than it is a way to rank students. Once you clear the bar, which at schools like Virginia Tech could be 1350, and at UVA could be 1450 or so, the SAT doesn't matter that much. I did hear that some schools care more about a high SAT than others (e.g., Vanderbilt) but UVA is not one of those. I am not an expert here, just a dad who has read a lot of college admissions info recently, so correct me if I'm wrong.

You need to compare the AP scores to make sure you're drawing the right inferences re: 4.0 v. 3.8. People love to say it does not matter, but of course having this data matters precisely because grade inflation is so rampant. The 1450 requires further inquiry into that kind of GPA, so if APs show 5s, the SAT can be disregarded. If it's a mix of 4s and 5s, and a kid with 1600 has a 3.8 and all 5s, I'm going with kid with 3.8, all else equal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a Virginia junior looking for honest feedback on ED/EA strategy for a CS/math/AI/engineering kid.

Student has a 1600 SAT, roughly 6 honors courses, 10 APs, 5 dual-enrollment courses, and additional real college-level math/CS through community college. This is beyond the normal AP/DE path: Calculus I/II, Multivariable/Calc III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Discrete Math, and Computer Organization.

They also have a real builder/technical profile: coding projects, AI work, GitHub/portfolio, programming tutoring, project/nonprofit leadership, and external validation from a selective tech/startup-style program.

Student likes UVA a lot and wants to apply Early Decision. We are in-state, and UVA has obvious advantages: cost, prestige, balance, social life, and possible credit transfer.

My concern is that UVA ED may limit them too early. I think they may have a real shot at stronger CS/engineering fits like Georgia Tech, MIT, CMU, Purdue, UIUC, Michigan, Cornell Engineering, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, etc. Georgia Tech especially seems like a strong fit: elite CS/engineering, good value compared with private elites, big-school energy, and likely more balanced/fun than some of the most intense tech schools.

I am not knocking UVA. It may end up being the best overall choice. But would you let a student like this do UVA ED, or push for UVA EA so they can keep Georgia Tech and higher-ranked CS/engineering options open?

Trying to balance "UVA is excellent" with "do not lock in too early if the student may have a real shot above UVA for CS/engineering."

What is your kid looking for from a school? All of these options—including UVA are excellent. What, specifically, do Georgia Tech, MIT, CMU, Purdue, UIUC, Michigan, Cornell Engineering, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, etc. offer over UVA? Ignore rankings. Tell me why these schools would be a better fit and offer a better college experience for your kid? Will they get a more prestigious internship? Will they have access to better research opportunities? Do these schools offer deeper classes or more obscure spinoffs of the major topics?

Other than the name of the school—what are you or your kid looking for that UVA does not offer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAT does not make up for grades at these really selective schools.

That sounds right to me. From my research, I would expect a straight A student with max rigor and a 1450 SAT would be viewed more favorably at UVA than a student with a 3.8 GPA and a 1600 SAT. I understand that at many selective schools, a strong SAT score is more a threshold to cross and confirm that the high grades are legit than it is a way to rank students. Once you clear the bar, which at schools like Virginia Tech could be 1350, and at UVA could be 1450 or so, the SAT doesn't matter that much. I did hear that some schools care more about a high SAT than others (e.g., Vanderbilt) but UVA is not one of those. I am not an expert here, just a dad who has read a lot of college admissions info recently, so correct me if I'm wrong.

I think this is 100% true. Some schools care about SAT. UVA is not one of them. We saw many kids going test optional with straight As get in over kids with high SATs but a few too many Bs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAT does not make up for grades at these really selective schools.

That sounds right to me. From my research, I would expect a straight A student with max rigor and a 1450 SAT would be viewed more favorably at UVA than a student with a 3.8 GPA and a 1600 SAT. I understand that at many selective schools, a strong SAT score is more a threshold to cross and confirm that the high grades are legit than it is a way to rank students. Once you clear the bar, which at schools like Virginia Tech could be 1350, and at UVA could be 1450 or so, the SAT doesn't matter that much. I did hear that some schools care more about a high SAT than others (e.g., Vanderbilt) but UVA is not one of those. I am not an expert here, just a dad who has read a lot of college admissions info recently, so correct me if I'm wrong.

I think this is 100% true. Some schools care about SAT. UVA is not one of them. We saw many kids going test optional with straight As get in over kids with high SATs but a few too many Bs.

Agree with this. Not on UVA admissions but I do read for the Jefferson Scholarship. Based on the metrics we get and what I have learned about admissions, high rigor 4.0 and slightly lower SAT are viewed more favorably than 3.8 and 1600. The latter looks like a very smart person who potentially doesn’t fully apply themselves all the time. UVA loves the grinders. If UVA is truly their #1 pick then I would ED, otherwise there is a decent chance of a waitlist.

[Anonymous]

If your kid loves UVa and can explain what it is that they love, why fight it? It's a great school, you'll save tons of money, they'll be happy and well-prepared for whatever direction they take next.