Test optional success stories 2025

[Anonymous]

NYC here (same as DMV for all practical purposes in terms of college admissions): close to 100% of kids at DC's high school submit scores. Not submitting would be the kiss of death.

[Anonymous]

Another NYC here - so many high stats kids between the privates and the specialized schools. Anyway, know 1 into Penn and 1 Duke this year TO. fgli in both cases.

[Anonymous]

Interesting that with my two kids, TO wasn't even a consideration. Kid 1: 4.0 GPA, 1560 SAT. Kid 2: Sub 3.0 GPA 1200 SAT. Obviously different tier students and schools. Think both NEEDED SAT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What state are you in?

NY

If you insist on posting here, you should indicate that in every post. Your experience really isn’t relevant for those of us in the DMV.

NP. Please ignore this loon. No rules forbid people from other states or countries from posting on DCUM. If you look at the demographics, people from all over the world post on this forum. College anxiety gets some people's panties in a twist.

Please work on your reading comprehension. If people from different geographical areas are posting, it is absolutely helpful to know that because college admissions differ. Thanks to those NY posters who did so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NYC here (same as DMV for all practical purposes in terms of college admissions): close to 100% of kids at DC's high school submit scores. Not submitting would be the kiss of death.

Nit sure why you would say this. NY clearly has more donor apps than DC, among other distinctions.

[Anonymous]

Interested to hear updates about TO successes (not the running commentary about DMV versus other locales). We’re waiting to hear back from several EA and RD schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i dont but good to know for next year

I advise you don't rely on next year having the same full range of TO options.

[Anonymous]

I know of an urm that went TO and got into an Ivy. It happens for hooked kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are there any UVA ED and TO success stories?

Two of my daughter's friends got in ED without submitting test scores. Both have siblings at UVA and on has a parent that attended.

[Anonymous]

DCUM just can’t accept that TO is real. Yeah a good number have abandoned it, but as long as a school is TO, it’s TO. Every school mentioned is legit TO, despite the DCUM strivers who want to play the only hook they have - unlimited funds for test prep! What’s even more hilarious are the sanctimonious know-it-alls who imply that if you are white, private school and wealthy, then the adcom will hold you to a different standard and expect scores - wrong! and if you disagree, show me published comment or proof from a school indicating this is the official (or unofficial) stance
signed,
parent of 2 TO non-URMs in T25s - 3.9 engineering and 3.92 econ, $130k job offer (‘25) and one making $150k (‘24)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCUM just can’t accept that TO is real. Yeah a good number have abandoned it, but as long as a school is TO, it’s TO. Every school mentioned is legit TO, despite the DCUM strivers who want to play the only hook they have - unlimited funds for test prep! What’s even more hilarious are the sanctimonious know-it-alls who imply that if you are white, private school and wealthy, then the adcom will hold you to a different standard and expect scores - wrong! and if you disagree, show me published comment or proof from a school indicating this is the official (or unofficial) stance
signed,
parent of 2 TO non-URMs in T25s - 3.9 engineering and 3.92 econ, $130k job offer (‘25) and one making $150k (‘24)

College class of 2025 was the first admission season of widespread TO. Where did your 2024/2020 kid attend TO?

Many schools will remain TO, though gradually they are becoming at least test-recommended. This isn't the 2020-21 admission season.

[Anonymous]

Many people claiming that TO isn’t real for certain kids have no credibility. Says who? If AOs say the opposite, why wouldn’t you believe them? Do you think they’re lying, just because you think TO is unfair? Are they tricking students and then penalizing them for following their advice? That’s just silly.

[Anonymous]

DC accepted TO to UVA ED (in state).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know of an urm that went TO and got into an Ivy. It happens for hooked kids.

URM is not a hook anymore. See the Supreme Court. Maybe the student had a great application just like the non-URM students who were admitted TO. Or maybe the student had other “hooks”. But simply being an URM is not one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know of an urm that went TO and got into an Ivy. It happens for hooked kids.

URM is not a hook anymore. See the Supreme Court. Maybe the student had a great application just like the non-URM students who were admitted TO. Or maybe the student had other “hooks”. But simply being an URM is not one.

Not true!