GPA input

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GPA is important but not the only thing matters, the course rigor goes along with GPA.

And other factors can weigh as much or more than grades because college admissions has never been a meritocracy. Kids with hooks (e.g., alumni/donor child, sports skills, arts skills, music, 1st gen to college, or whatever else) will always have an advantage in admissions over unhooked ordinary kids. College admissions essay which is compelling will help; mediocre essay will hurt. Most college admissions teams are looking at the whole package, and the GPA really is only one factor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GPA is important but not the only thing matters, the course rigor goes along with GPA.

And other factors can weigh as much or more than grades because college admissions has never been a meritocracy. Kids with hooks (e.g., alumni/donor child, sports skills, arts skills, music, 1st gen to college, or whatever else) will always have an advantage in admissions over unhooked ordinary kids. College admissions essay which is compelling will help; mediocre essay will hurt. Most college admissions teams are looking at the whole package, and the GPA really is only one factor.

Op here
he is in the base school Track team since 9th grade… thats about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My ds has a GPA of 3.93uw and a GPA of 4.18w . (not final yet)
He is in 10th grade.

Why do I feel like its not good enough with SO much competition out there?
Or is it because of LCPS students’ standards?

UVA probably wants something like a 4.3 and 1500 SAT
William & Mary probably want a 4.0 and 1450 SAT
VT probably want a 4.0 and 1380 SAT

4.0 would probably be lower than 10th percentile at W&M.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GPA is important but not the only thing matters, the course rigor goes along with GPA.

And other factors can weigh as much or more than grades because college admissions has never been a meritocracy. Kids with hooks (e.g., alumni/donor child, sports skills, arts skills, music, 1st gen to college, or whatever else) will always have an advantage in admissions over unhooked ordinary kids. College admissions essay which is compelling will help; mediocre essay will hurt. Most college admissions teams are looking at the whole package, and the GPA really is only one factor.

GPA is the most impt factor unless you have a hook. Then the hook is the biggest factor. The best essay in the world is not getting a kid in…bc the essays are only read by AOs who have approved the kid to move on based on gpa and test scores.

[Anonymous]

Do they look at the GPA and toss apps
or
do they look at transcript with the courses first round?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not enough for what?

If your kid doesn't get into a T20 school, what will they miss out on?

Grad school? No - in fact you can go from a totally middle-of-the-road undergrad program to an elite grad school.

A job? No. On the private school forum many hiring managers were recently saying their companies have demphasized certain schools in favor of individual applicant characteristics.

A joyful life? Check out Arthur Brooks' series in The Atlantic on what research says makes for a good life that one can look back on contentedly in old age and you won't find a T-20 college in there.

Take rigorous classes because they teach you things. Learn because learning matters for it's own sake and so you can do good in the world some day. Do extracurriculars because it's good to have hobbies and a great way to make friends and hopefully you love your activities. Let the GPA and college admissions chips fall where they may.

Love this! <3

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GPA is important but not the only thing matters, the course rigor goes along with GPA.

And other factors can weigh as much or more than grades because college admissions has never been a meritocracy. Kids with hooks (e.g., alumni/donor child, sports skills, arts skills, music, 1st gen to college, or whatever else) will always have an advantage in admissions over unhooked ordinary kids. College admissions essay which is compelling will help; mediocre essay will hurt. Most college admissions teams are looking at the whole package, and the GPA really is only one factor.

There was a time when high SAT scores were harder to come by and grades were inflated as much as they are now. There used to be a time when a C was average and A students were harder to come by. GPA above 4 existed but were uncommon.

Nowadays it seems like anyone can get a 1200 SAT and 4.0 GPA is subpar.