Our Current Situation - Not thrilled

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:So one deferral and you decided that it’s going to be a wash at the other schools? Your outlook is ridiculously depressing and unwarranted. Those are great stats. Your kid will get into one of the others they’re waiting on.


+1. Your attitude stinks. Wait until you hear back from the other schools before panicking. Plus Pitt’s good in CS and I know a surprising number of top kids going to GMU CS. Apparently a great program.
Anonymous
My guess is that this is another troll. But, if not, then why didn't your son/daughter apply to VT, UVA, UMDCP?
Anonymous
CS is very competitive right now and you’d be surprised how many other applicants have similar stats.

I’m guessing essays were actually weaker than you think they are. “Funny” - that’s a huge gamble. One person’s “funny” can really annoy another person for a whole number of reasons. Perhaps the applicant came off as not serious or not sensitive in some way.
Anonymous
At this stage neither Purdue or CU Boulder were rejections. Of the ones waiting for, I wouldn’t be surprised if Wisconsin Madison came through. The other ones left are really tough admission in general, and then you add in a competitive major and being OOS for the public universities.

The bottom line is even if the college season doesn’t give all the choices your child would like, all that experience with leadership and the field that they enjoy will serve them well wherever they end up. As much as students in this area apply to Pitt as a likely, the programs are respected and a lot of really strong, high achieving students end up there.
Anonymous
I understand it is disappointing given those stats, but it not over--and they will do well at their current choices. Pitt for CS seems like a great option (not to discount the other options). It does seem possible there will be another acceptance coming--maybe Wisconsin? Did they have a favorite? U of Washington, if for CS, is a really tough OOS admit.

Best of luck to you and your kid!
Anonymous
I still think he has a good shot at UT Austin and Rice, which would be my choices in that mix. Lots of other schools your kid hasn’t heard from yet and has strong chances at.

I know several highly qualified Stem oriented kids who were deferred at Purdue engineering this year (and one qualified but not nearly as Stem focused kid who was accepted to Purdue engineering this year - go figure).

so the CU is the only outlier making you nervous and I’d disregard it- I am sure it has zero to do with anything lacking in your kid’s app and relates to some internal priority you’ll never be able to figure out.

Sit tight, appreciate the current good acceptances, and keep hoping!
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:At this stage neither Purdue or CU Boulder were rejections. Of the ones waiting for, I wouldn’t be surprised if Wisconsin Madison came through. The other ones left are really tough admission in general, and then you add in a competitive major and being OOS for the public universities.

The bottom line is even if the college season doesn’t give all the choices your child would like, all that experience with leadership and the field that they enjoy will serve them well wherever they end up. As much as students in this area apply to Pitt as a likely, the programs are respected and a lot of really strong, high achieving students end up there.


This is great advice.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Why did you aim so low? It seems that some of those choices (Colorado, even Purdue) know he won't attend.


Purdue is great for CS and several engineering disciplines.

Why wouldn't one attend CU-Boulder for CS ?
Anonymous
Purdue is a top 15-20 computer science program and OP's son (or daughter?) applied from out of state. He (or she?) wouldn't have been a shoo-in no matter what the stats are. A deferral isn't a total surprise. And Pitt's a great school.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I still think he has a good shot at UT Austin and Rice, which would be my choices in that mix. Lots of other schools your kid hasn’t heard from yet and has strong chances at.

I know several highly qualified Stem oriented kids who were deferred at Purdue engineering this year (and one qualified but not nearly as Stem focused kid who was accepted to Purdue engineering this year - go figure).

so the CU is the only outlier making you nervous and I’d disregard it- I am sure it has zero to do with anything lacking in your kid’s app and relates to some internal priority you’ll never be able to figure out.

Sit tight, appreciate the current good acceptances, and keep hoping!


Disagree about UTexas at Austin if applying for CS. Almost zero chance for admission. Rice will be difficult as OP did not apply ED.
Anonymous
You are lucky to have a healthy, talented child. He has options among the schools he selected. You haven’t even heard back from many, so it is premature to be discouraged.

No matter the outcome, please express pride and excitement in front of your child, who has worked so hard. He /she clearly has a bright future ahead (unless you telegraph the message that it is not good enough).
Anonymous
Why no ED app?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why did you aim so low? It seems that some of those choices (Colorado, even Purdue) know he won't attend.


Purdue is great for CS and several engineering disciplines.

Why wouldn't one attend CU-Boulder for CS ?


This kid basically has a perfect application. It couldn't be stronger unless he/she wrote a textbook.
There's no reason this kid could not apply to any CS program in the country.

CU-Boulder is a great school but they KNOW (without a doubt--100%) that this kid is not going to attend there. Hence they don't waste an outright CS admit on him/her.
Perdue CS is competitive but also may defer to see how it shakes out in terms of continued interest. I'm sure they're not convinced that OP would take an offer either.
Anonymous
OP which is it boy or girl? HUM...

And nothing wrong with GMU if you think there is then there is something wrong with you.

GMU students get jobs last time I checked that was the goal.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:The Facts:
Son UW GPA 4.0. NEVER made below an A (even middle school). WGA 4.5 (only classes that are weighted are AP level) Top 1% class (everyone with a 4.0 gets rank of 1 so % rank based on WGPA)
9 APs total after Senior year including good mix of science (AP Physics 1,2 and C), math (Calc BC), computer science, humanities (history, government)....
1550 SAT one sitting May of junior year (balanced math/verbal score)
Attends specialized engineering courses through CC and Magnet program
Eagle Scout with lots of leadership positions and projects through the scouting program
Lots of EC focused on computer science that he does because he loves them and does totally on his own (has website blog with details of all projects that is very well written)
Community service since 9th grade (even through covid) at same organization - has many hours
Awesome LOR from computer science teacher and AP physics teacher and community leader
Coherent, funny, on topic essays

Deferred Purdue CS
Offered Exploratory Studies CU Boulder
Admitted to Pitt CS and GMU CS with honors
Admitted to VCU CS

Waiting to hear from GT, UT Austin, Wisconsin Madison, U Washington, Rice and not expecting good results based on the deferral and exploratory studies garbage can offer.

If choices end up being Pitt, GMU or VCU so be it but that seems ridiculous. She has so much potential. Pitt seems to be the winner so far


1. Stop borrowing trouble.
2. He’ll do great at any of these schools.
3. You should realize there are LOTS of applications that look like his.
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