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

[Anonymous]

I personally think there is something wrong with the school if standardized test scores do not align with GPAs. If a student is earning straight As in all AP and DE courses with a near-perfect GPA, but cannot score at a similarly high level on the SAT or ACT, that raises a concern about whether the curriculum or grading standards reflect true mastery.

I recently read a thread about a student with a 4.2+ GPA who could not break 1300 on the SAT. How is that acceptable if the GPA is supposed to reflect mastery at that level?

I also think the reverse can be true. If a student scores a 1550 or 1600, especially if that is far above the average for their high school, but is still earning Bs or B+s while genuinely trying, then maybe the issue is not the student. Maybe the school’s curriculum, grading system, or expectations are too harsh or inconsistent.

At the end of the day, SAT and ACT scores are the equalizer because they cut through some of the noise and show how a student performs on the same standard as everyone else. That is why I think they should be weighted heavily, especially when they offset inconsistencies in school grading. FCPS is not ideal, and that should be taken into consideration when evaluating a student’s GPA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:3.8 gpa may pose an issue at the super elite schools

A 3.8 will pose issues at UVA as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally think there is something wrong with the school if standardized test scores do not align with GPAs. If a student is earning straight As in all AP and DE courses with a near-perfect GPA, but cannot score at a similarly high level on the SAT or ACT, that raises a concern about whether the curriculum or grading standards reflect true mastery.

I recently read a thread about a student with a 4.2+ GPA who could not break 1300 on the SAT. How is that acceptable if the GPA is supposed to reflect mastery at that level?

I also think the reverse can be true. If a student scores a 1550 or 1600, especially if that is far above the average for their high school, but is still earning Bs or B+s while genuinely trying, then maybe the issue is not the student. Maybe the school’s curriculum, grading system, or expectations are too harsh or inconsistent.

At the end of the day, SAT and ACT scores are the equalizer because they cut through some of the noise and show how a student performs on the same standard as everyone else. That is why I think they should be weighted heavily, especially when they offset inconsistencies in school grading. FCPS is not ideal, and that should be taken into consideration when evaluating a student’s GPA.

I'm in favor of test-required admissions, but you are taking it too far. Work habits, the ability to write a good essay, proficiency in a foreign language, knowledge of history, and math curriculum beyond Algebra 2 are not measured by the SAT. SATs and ACTs should be a factor in admissions but not weighed too heavily. I kind of like the threshold approach that UVA and Virginia Tech seem to use. Giving too much credit to a 1600 over a 1450 also invites students to treat SAT prep as their main extra-curricular activity while ignoring a lot of more important things.

[Anonymous]

Is money a blocker? There is no point get in when parents cannot pay. Check finances too. So many kids get into Ivy buy parents can't afford the 400k for engineering degree.

[Anonymous]

In my experience parents that think their kids can aim higher than UVA end up not getting into UVA and get shook.

[Anonymous]

Is money a blocker? There is no point get in when parents cannot pay. Check finances too. So many kids got into Ivy but parents can't afford the 400k for engineering degree.

[Anonymous]

Ivy League schools can be quite generous with financial aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my experience parents that think their kids can aim higher than UVA end up not getting into UVA and get shook.

This is what I would worry about as well, but 1600 in state with rigor should get into UVA... but I guess the should is the unknown.

If your child is excited about UVA I would ED there, get in, and save a ton on tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my experience parents that think their kids can aim higher than UVA end up not getting into UVA and get shook.

This is what I would worry about as well, but 1600 in state with rigor should get into UVA... but I guess the should is the unknown.

If your child is excited about UVA I would ED there, get in, and save a ton on tuition.

I doubt the 1600 tips the scales that much. SAT score is not a sliding scale at UVA. The kid could certainly be admitted, but it wouldn't be primarily because of the 1600. To them, 1600 may be viewed the same as 1500.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally think there is something wrong with the school if standardized test scores do not align with GPAs. If a student is earning straight As in all AP and DE courses with a near-perfect GPA, but cannot score at a similarly high level on the SAT or ACT, that raises a concern about whether the curriculum or grading standards reflect true mastery.

I recently read a thread about a student with a 4.2+ GPA who could not break 1300 on the SAT. How is that acceptable if the GPA is supposed to reflect mastery at that level?

I also think the reverse can be true. If a student scores a 1550 or 1600, especially if that is far above the average for their high school, but is still earning Bs or B+s while genuinely trying, then maybe the issue is not the student. Maybe the school’s curriculum, grading system, or expectations are too harsh or inconsistent.

At the end of the day, SAT and ACT scores are the equalizer because they cut through some of the noise and show how a student performs on the same standard as everyone else. That is why I think they should be weighted heavily, especially when they offset inconsistencies in school grading. FCPS is not ideal, and that should be taken into consideration when evaluating a student’s GPA.

Yea, well, you’re a goddamned idiot if you think that standardized tests measure anything with such precision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my experience parents that think their kids can aim higher than UVA end up not getting into UVA and get shook.

I see reaches and targets on their list, but I wonder if they considered a couple of safety schools. CS is a tough admit at a lot of schools and the ones on that list are not sure things.

[Anonymous]

A 1600 is right around the 75% score for most top schools. It isn't that remarkable.

[Anonymous]

From the OP:
//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.//

The bolded are such a long shot, tbh.

I hope the OP can come back to answer the questions of many thoughtful posters who took the time to respond to this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From the OP:
//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.//

The bolded are such a long shot, tbh.

I hope the OP can come back to answer the questions of many thoughtful posters who took the time to respond to this thread.

Georgia Tech OOS is a tougher admit than CMU

CMU admission rate just over 11% and higher if apply Early Decision
Georgia Tech this cycle: Overall Admit Rate OOS 8.9%, Engineering OOS Admit Rate 7.2%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From the OP:
//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.//

The bolded are such a long shot, tbh.

I hope the OP can come back to answer the questions of many thoughtful posters who took the time to respond to this thread.

Georgia Tech OOS is a tougher admit than CMU

CMU admission rate just over 11% and higher if apply Early Decision
Georgia Tech this cycle: Overall Admit Rate OOS 8.9%, Engineering OOS Admit Rate 7.2%

His profile clearly shows a CS inclination.