Junior w 3.9/1550 - Big3 - College tour recommendations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. We don't have access to Naviance/SCOIR data yet. Assuming that HYPSM's are generally super top (close to 4.0 kids) and folks with solid academics and legacy/donor and/or URM type status? If so, is it best for DC to just forget about HYPSM?

Would not waste time with HYPSM. MIT is not happening. And without a significant hook, neither is HYPS.

But the stats are good enough for anywhere else. Make sure those ECs also demonstrate leadership. Sounds like she is more inclined to go to a university rather than a LAC. Spend spring break visiting campuses to get a better sense of fit and what she might like. Maybe go South - Duke, Vanderbilt, WashU. Or to the Midwest - Northwestern, Chicago, Michigan, Notre Dame. Schools in PA - Penn - and NY - Columbia, NYU - can be done over weekends. I think schools in NE like Dartmouth and Cornell should only be visited in winter. The April visits are very deceptive.

It does tend to be advantageous to apply ED. But only do so to a school where you really want to go. Often it just clicks when you visit. And look at where this year's seniors are getting in. That will give you sense of patterns and possibilities.

Op here. Thanks. This is the kind of straightforward (blunt!) advice I needed.

Sorry - more bad news.. my DD at a big 3 had a similar profile to your daughter and was rejected early from a second tier Ivy and we were hooked. Also FORGET Duke or Brown. Unless your child is hooked no one is getting in and even then not a guarantee.

Wow - it’s rough out there. Hooked at second tier Ivy w those stats and rejected? Yikes

If you're surprised, you haven't been paying attention.

I knew it was rough for unhooked kids. But I guess I mistakenly thought was easier for the hooked kids - as all the ivy admits at our big 3 seem to be hooked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. We don't have access to Naviance/SCOIR data yet. Assuming that HYPSM's are generally super top (close to 4.0 kids) and folks with solid academics and legacy/donor and/or URM type status? If so, is it best for DC to just forget about HYPSM?

Would not waste time with HYPSM. MIT is not happening. And without a significant hook, neither is HYPS.

But the stats are good enough for anywhere else. Make sure those ECs also demonstrate leadership. Sounds like she is more inclined to go to a university rather than a LAC. Spend spring break visiting campuses to get a better sense of fit and what she might like. Maybe go South - Duke, Vanderbilt, WashU. Or to the Midwest - Northwestern, Chicago, Michigan, Notre Dame. Schools in PA - Penn - and NY - Columbia, NYU - can be done over weekends. I think schools in NE like Dartmouth and Cornell should only be visited in winter. The April visits are very deceptive.

It does tend to be advantageous to apply ED. But only do so to a school where you really want to go. Often it just clicks when you visit. And look at where this year's seniors are getting in. That will give you sense of patterns and possibilities.

Op here. Thanks. This is the kind of straightforward (blunt!) advice I needed.

Sorry - more bad news.. my DD at a big 3 had a similar profile to your daughter and was rejected early from a second tier Ivy and we were hooked. Also FORGET Duke or Brown. Unless your child is hooked no one is getting in and even then not a guarantee.

Wow - it’s rough out there. Hooked at second tier Ivy w those stats and rejected? Yikes

If you're surprised, you haven't been paying attention.

I knew it was rough for unhooked kids. But I guess I mistakenly thought was easier for the hooked kids - as all the ivy admits at our big 3 seem to be hooked.

It is easier for the hooked kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. We don't have access to Naviance/SCOIR data yet. Assuming that HYPSM's are generally super top (close to 4.0 kids) and folks with solid academics and legacy/donor and/or URM type status? If so, is it best for DC to just forget about HYPSM?

Would not waste time with HYPSM. MIT is not happening. And without a significant hook, neither is HYPS.

But the stats are good enough for anywhere else. Make sure those ECs also demonstrate leadership. Sounds like she is more inclined to go to a university rather than a LAC. Spend spring break visiting campuses to get a better sense of fit and what she might like. Maybe go South - Duke, Vanderbilt, WashU. Or to the Midwest - Northwestern, Chicago, Michigan, Notre Dame. Schools in PA - Penn - and NY - Columbia, NYU - can be done over weekends. I think schools in NE like Dartmouth and Cornell should only be visited in winter. The April visits are very deceptive.

It does tend to be advantageous to apply ED. But only do so to a school where you really want to go. Often it just clicks when you visit. And look at where this year's seniors are getting in. That will give you sense of patterns and possibilities.

Op here. Thanks. This is the kind of straightforward (blunt!) advice I needed.

Sorry - more bad news.. my DD at a big 3 had a similar profile to your daughter and was rejected early from a second tier Ivy and we were hooked. Also FORGET Duke or Brown. Unless your child is hooked no one is getting in and even then not a guarantee.

Wow - it’s rough out there. Hooked at second tier Ivy w those stats and rejected? Yikes

If you're surprised, you haven't been paying attention.

+1000

[Anonymous]

U Chicago is a great academic school, if your kid likes the school definitely you should Ed1 or at least ED 2 to have a shot at U Chicago.
It is the best school for unhooked strong candidates that can handle the academic load.

[Anonymous]

I should have said one of the best schools, so many great schools all over the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC is at 3.9+ (closer to 3.9 than 3.95). Based on Junior year performance/quarter grades, expect to continue on this GPA path through senior year. Will be in Calc BC in senior year. Mix of rigor in science classes (some highest science and some not). Solid ECs, but not at national level. Well rounded (for what that is worth). No strong legacy connections. Not URM. Will not be recruited athlete.

Are any schools more or less ruled out with this record? Taking MIT/Caltech off the list. I know all T20 are low probability, but want to understand from current/recent Big 3 parents with experience what a kid with these stats should be aiming for as reasonable reaches. Is it simply not worth bothering with HYPSM? Asking now as we are planning college visits in the spring.

Does it matter if it is weighted or un-weighted GPA?

Apparently it is unweighted but colleges will recalculate with their own weighing. That’s where rigor comes in.

Um, no. We have no idea how many colleges recalculate and of those that do if they include rigor. Most info out there reflects that SOME (perhaps most) recalculate but do it without rigor.

[Anonymous]

You still need top rigor for these schools including UVA-class composition does not go unnoticed in this process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. We don't have access to Naviance/SCOIR data yet. Assuming that HYPSM's are generally super top (close to 4.0 kids) and folks with solid academics and legacy/donor and/or URM type status? If so, is it best for DC to just forget about HYPSM?

Would not waste time with HYPSM. MIT is not happening. And without a significant hook, neither is HYPS.

But the stats are good enough for anywhere else. Make sure those ECs also demonstrate leadership. Sounds like she is more inclined to go to a university rather than a LAC. Spend spring break visiting campuses to get a better sense of fit and what she might like. Maybe go South - Duke, Vanderbilt, WashU. Or to the Midwest - Northwestern, Chicago, Michigan, Notre Dame. Schools in PA - Penn - and NY - Columbia, NYU - can be done over weekends. I think schools in NE like Dartmouth and Cornell should only be visited in winter. The April visits are very deceptive.

It does tend to be advantageous to apply ED. But only do so to a school where you really want to go. Often it just clicks when you visit. And look at where this year's seniors are getting in. That will give you sense of patterns and possibilities.

Op here. Thanks. This is the kind of straightforward (blunt!) advice I needed.

Sorry - more bad news.. my DD at a big 3 had a similar profile to your daughter and was rejected early from a second tier Ivy and we were hooked. Also FORGET Duke or Brown. Unless your child is hooked no one is getting in and even then not a guarantee.

Wow - it’s rough out there. Hooked at second tier Ivy w those stats and rejected? Yikes

If you're surprised, you haven't been paying attention.

I knew it was rough for unhooked kids. But I guess I mistakenly thought was easier for the hooked kids - as all the ivy admits at our big 3 seem to be hooked.

It is easier for the hooked kids.

Getting a 3.9 plus and that score is not that easy at these schools. I would’ve thought that plus legacy at lower ivy would get you there - but perhaps, as was noted, I have not been paying attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. We don't have access to Naviance/SCOIR data yet. Assuming that HYPSM's are generally super top (close to 4.0 kids) and folks with solid academics and legacy/donor and/or URM type status? If so, is it best for DC to just forget about HYPSM?

Would not waste time with HYPSM. MIT is not happening. And without a significant hook, neither is HYPS.

But the stats are good enough for anywhere else. Make sure those ECs also demonstrate leadership. Sounds like she is more inclined to go to a university rather than a LAC. Spend spring break visiting campuses to get a better sense of fit and what she might like. Maybe go South - Duke, Vanderbilt, WashU. Or to the Midwest - Northwestern, Chicago, Michigan, Notre Dame. Schools in PA - Penn - and NY - Columbia, NYU - can be done over weekends. I think schools in NE like Dartmouth and Cornell should only be visited in winter. The April visits are very deceptive.

It does tend to be advantageous to apply ED. But only do so to a school where you really want to go. Often it just clicks when you visit. And look at where this year's seniors are getting in. That will give you sense of patterns and possibilities.

Op here. Thanks. This is the kind of straightforward (blunt!) advice I needed.

Sorry - more bad news.. my DD at a big 3 had a similar profile to your daughter and was rejected early from a second tier Ivy and we were hooked. Also FORGET Duke or Brown. Unless your child is hooked no one is getting in and even then not a guarantee.

Wow - it’s rough out there. Hooked at second tier Ivy w those stats and rejected? Yikes

If you're surprised, you haven't been paying attention.

I knew it was rough for unhooked kids. But I guess I mistakenly thought was easier for the hooked kids - as all the ivy admits at our big 3 seem to be hooked.

It is easier for the hooked kids.

Getting a 3.9 plus and that score is not that easy at these schools. I would’ve thought that plus legacy at lower ivy would get you there - but perhaps, as was noted, I have not been paying attention.

3.9 plus at top privates is very far from easy. That, in itself, would get you into a lower Ivy until a couple of years ago. Legacy would cement it. Far more random now.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the Ivy-all of the Harvard and Dartmouth legacies at our private got in and the Dartmouth kids weren’t tippy top in stats or rigor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the Ivy-all of the Harvard and Dartmouth legacies at our private got in and the Dartmouth kids weren’t tippy top in stats or rigor.

DMV private??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Counseling at Our Big 3 is worse than awful. It like that are trying their best to not say anything. Seriously. I say this as a Big 3 parent who paid the half million over the years for my kid to attend.

Completely agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the Ivy-all of the Harvard and Dartmouth legacies at our private got in and the Dartmouth kids weren’t tippy top in stats or rigor.

DMV private??

Can't be a Big3. There are easily 10+ legacy applicants to each at my kids' school in a typical year (between almost all kids having 2 parents) and less than 5 admits to each and not every admit is legacy.

[Anonymous]

Would kid have a shot at Rice with ED?

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]I too have a similarly situated DC with 1580 SAT and unwgted GPA of 3.91 - junior year. Similar EC, good mix but nothing at state or national level. DC has worked over summer and during junior year so hoping that helps. Unhooked, non URM! We are outside of DC area so hoping that helps us a bit. Looking for a good mix of colleges to visit in 2024 as well. These responses are very helpful for us, too. TY to all.

DC first choice is UPenn, but it looks like that may be outside of our reach. [/quote]

UPenn is not out of reach for your DC. I have a DC who currently attends. Really focus on the Penn supplemental essays. If you have friends who have kids there currently, then ask if they will share essay so your DC can get an idea of what works. even better offer to pay them to help your DC really drill down on why Penn. GL