Anyone have a high stats kid who ended up at their true safety school?

[Anonymous]

I have a very high stats junior (highest rigor, all A's, probably NMF, varsity athlete, leadership and huge involvement in theater, major-specific extra curriculars) who wants to major in something very niche, so there are very few accredited options.

The school that seems to be the best for for her is a true safety. She is excited about it and likes the idea of applying early and to only one school, thus eliminating a lot of stress and freeing up a lot of time. Opting out of the admissions game is looking very appealing

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Yes, ended up at UMD for CS major, with merit.

They applied to 4 reaches, and 2 targets, and the one UMD safety.

1580 sat
4.0 uwgpa, 4.92 wgpa from a magnet program

They seem happy there and will do a 3+1 masters program. They are also a dual math major. So, they will graduate with 2 bachelors and 1 masters in four years, all for under $120K. Not too bad.

I know of another magnet student who also ended up in the same boat as my DC.

CS major is just tough.

I wouldn't call a computer science major at the #44 university with a top20 computer science program "true safety" by any definition of the phrase. Isn't that a reach for everyone?
i'm glad it worked out.

What makes you think the safeties and reaches are the same for everyone? Are you assuming the college application process is a true lottery? Your understanding is totally wrong.

Unless the acceptance rate into UMD (or anywhere) is 50%+, then it simply cannot be a "Safety" for anyone. The CS acceptance rate at UMD is around 16-20%. That makes it a REACH for literally everyone. Doesn't matter your stats. There will be plenty of Top stats kids who are rejected because they reject 80%+

Wrong. You either don’t know what a safety is or you don’t understand how college admissions work.

NP. A true safety *for a high stats student* has an acceptance rate well over 50%.

Again, you’re saying the chances for everyone should be the same, which is simply false. While safeties doesn’t mean guaranteed, but high stats kids have much better chance than their low stats counterparts.

No, I am saying that EVEN for a high stats student, the acceptance rate must be well over 50% for a true safety. Lower than that, there is too much uncertainty, not sufficient assurance of admission.

Note that many colleges in the 40 to 55 ish % range tend to yield protect. Call these low targets.

This is just not true. My kid had a 1600, 3 800 IIs, quite a few 5 APs, pretty good grades with maximum rigor and great extracurriculars with some national awards. Guidance counselor said Michigan, Wisconsin and 2 UCs were all true safeties for her because their admissions are very stats based and she plotted out as 95%+. (GC was right.)

.

That does not change the fact that they were NOT safeties. Some people manage to get into many of their reaches and all of their targets. But being High stats and OOS does not make Mich or UW a true safety for anyone (unless your families name is on one of the buildings on campus)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a very high stats junior (highest rigor, all A's, probably NMF, varsity athlete, leadership and huge involvement in theater, major-specific extra curriculars) who wants to major in something very niche, so there are very few accredited options.

The school that seems to be the best for for her is a true safety. She is excited about it and likes the idea of applying early and to only one school, thus eliminating a lot of stress and freeing up a lot of time. Opting out of the admissions game is looking very appealing

That is awesome! Just because you are "high stats" does not mean you should attend a T25 school---you should attend a school that is a great fit for your kid. Who wants the pressure cooker of a T25 school after you went thru HS---not everyone does. Even in the 25-50 range it can be a pressure cooker.
Example: my kid is at a 25-50 school. Took credit for Chem 101/102 and went straight to Org Chem (a class for freshman only who took AP/IB credit). Well there are a lot of private school kids and International students (major stem/premed school). So more than half the class had already had Orgo in HS. The average 1st midterm was over 80%, while in Regular Orgo that sophomores take, average is in the 50% (more what is typical). My kid pulled off a B in Orgo and that was impressive, since they hadn't ever taken orgo. Same thing for Calc 3---lots of kids who had it in HS but no way to "earn College credit" (no AP test for that), so the curve was terribly high because it was a repeat for many students. My kid survived both courses, but is definately happy there are not at a T25 school where every student got 5s on all their AP (8-10) courses and had 4.0UW in a rigorous HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, ended up at UMD for CS major, with merit.

They applied to 4 reaches, and 2 targets, and the one UMD safety.

1580 sat
4.0 uwgpa, 4.92 wgpa from a magnet program

They seem happy there and will do a 3+1 masters program. They are also a dual math major. So, they will graduate with 2 bachelors and 1 masters in four years, all for under $120K. Not too bad.

I know of another magnet student who also ended up in the same boat as my DC.

CS major is just tough.

I wouldn't call a computer science major at the #44 university with a top20 computer science program "true safety" by any definition of the phrase. Isn't that a reach for everyone?
i'm glad it worked out.

What makes you think the safeties and reaches are the same for everyone? Are you assuming the college application process is a true lottery? Your understanding is totally wrong.

Unless the acceptance rate into UMD (or anywhere) is 50%+, then it simply cannot be a "Safety" for anyone. The CS acceptance rate at UMD is around 16-20%. That makes it a REACH for literally everyone. Doesn't matter your stats. There will be plenty of Top stats kids who are rejected because they reject 80%+

Wrong. You either don’t know what a safety is or you don’t understand how college admissions work.

NP. A true safety *for a high stats student* has an acceptance rate well over 50%.

Again, you’re saying the chances for everyone should be the same, which is simply false. While safeties doesn’t mean guaranteed, but high stats kids have much better chance than their low stats counterparts.

No, I am saying that EVEN for a high stats student, the acceptance rate must be well over 50% for a true safety. Lower than that, there is too much uncertainty, not sufficient assurance of admission.

Note that many colleges in the 40 to 55 ish % range tend to yield protect. Call these low targets.

This is just not true. My kid had a 1600, 3 800 IIs, quite a few 5 APs, pretty good grades with maximum rigor and great extracurriculars with some national awards. Guidance counselor said Michigan, Wisconsin and 2 UCs were all true safeties for her because their admissions are very stats based and she plotted out as 95%+. (GC was right.)

.

That does not change the fact that they were NOT safeties. Some people manage to get into many of their reaches and all of their targets. But being High stats and OOS does not make Mich or UW a true safety for anyone (unless your families name is on one of the buildings on campus)

Also any kid applying with SAT II scores, as the PP says her child did, applied some time ago, likely before the pandemic, widespread test optional, and plummeting acceptance rates. The SAT II exams haven’t been offered in years.

[Anonymous]

My 1540 STEM kid from Blair magnet didn’t get into any of his reaches and is now very happy at UMD, which was a safety for him. He was bummed at first but seems very happy now- likes his classes, professors, good social life. I’m happy for the in-state tuition!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 1540 STEM kid from Blair magnet didn’t get into any of his reaches and is now very happy at UMD, which was a safety for him. He was bummed at first but seems very happy now- likes his classes, professors, good social life. I’m happy for the in-state tuition!

Same situation here.

[Anonymous]

I’d be interested to hear more details from the last 2 Blair posters if you’re willing to share. 50 percent of Blair magnets students have a 4.0 GPA and about 1540 SAT, so it’s not surprising that most get rejected from the reach schools, even though the kid is so impressive. What other awards/ECs did your kid have and where did they apply?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d be interested to hear more details from the last 2 Blair posters if you’re willing to share. 50 percent of Blair magnets students have a 4.0 GPA and about 1540 SAT, so it’s not surprising that most get rejected from the reach schools, even though the kid is so impressive. What other awards/ECs did your kid have and where did they apply?

It is not ECs that separate the T20 successful 4.0/1500s Blair kids from the ones who end up at UMD: it’s course rigor.

[Anonymous]

Kid isn't high stats for here (4.1 (6 APs and 2 DE)/captain of varsity sport/several leadership roles/4 summers of working....

Could have gone to a higher ranked school (got in) but due to finances, ended up instate (didn't get into UMD) and is in the Honors College at Towson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d be interested to hear more details from the last 2 Blair posters if you’re willing to share. 50 percent of Blair magnets students have a 4.0 GPA and about 1540 SAT, so it’s not surprising that most get rejected from the reach schools, even though the kid is so impressive. What other awards/ECs did your kid have and where did they apply?

All the Blair kids- or many, anyway, have a paper with a professor about their summer internship. Mine did and it won an award. But he didn’t have a variety of extracurricular activities - some that he’s been doing for years and loves, but no big awards or anything. In fact he talked about how he kinda does them bc he loves them and not to win the awards. In high school, he refused to do even a modicum of “credentialing” and his essays were about his quirky self and his academic interests- like a deep dive. He isn’t well rounded, I guess, so the Ivies weren’t the right place for him. But he also didn’t get into MIT - one of his reaches- which may have been a decent fit.

In the end, he’s happy where he’s at. He was disappointed at first, but he’s a pretty logical kid and one night just sat down and was like, well- this is the best choice. And he hasn’t looked back and he’s very happy.

The whole experience took years off my life and now I look at the whole process a little differently. He deserved to put a ticket into the lottery of the reaches- he’d earned that- but he wasn’t who they wanted and he’ll be okay! My next kid teeing up to do this is a natural-born credentialer, so I imagine, maybe? but maybe not!, they’ll have a different experience.

It may not be true, but I have come to the realization that kids end up where they’re supposed to. Life is long and college is just one step, esp for magnet kids who, like my kid, wants to go to grad school.

Good luck, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS had 4.0 GPA with 1590 SAT, and was accepted to an Ivy. He turned it down to attend George Mason on a full tuition+room/board scholarship because we would have to pay almost 85K per year, and we didn't receive any financial aid at the Ivy where he was accepted. Fast-forward to today, he is currently at UVA medical school.

This. Particularly for med school, higher ranked schools are not always the best option — harder to get labs, perfect grades, publications, recs. Not spending on undergrad also very smart and saving for med.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, ended up at UMD for CS major, with merit.

They applied to 4 reaches, and 2 targets, and the one UMD safety.

1580 sat
4.0 uwgpa, 4.92 wgpa from a magnet program

They seem happy there and will do a 3+1 masters program. They are also a dual math major. So, they will graduate with 2 bachelors and 1 masters in four years, all for under $120K. Not too bad.

I know of another magnet student who also ended up in the same boat as my DC.

CS major is just tough.

I wouldn't call a computer science major at the #44 university with a top20 computer science program "true safety" by any definition of the phrase. Isn't that a reach for everyone?
i'm glad it worked out.

What makes you think the safeties and reaches are the same for everyone? Are you assuming the college application process is a true lottery? Your understanding is totally wrong.

Unless the acceptance rate into UMD (or anywhere) is 50%+, then it simply cannot be a "Safety" for anyone. The CS acceptance rate at UMD is around 16-20%. That makes it a REACH for literally everyone. Doesn't matter your stats. There will be plenty of Top stats kids who are rejected because they reject 80%+

Wrong. You either don’t know what a safety is or you don’t understand how college admissions work.

NP. A true safety *for a high stats student* has an acceptance rate well over 50%.

Again, you’re saying the chances for everyone should be the same, which is simply false. While safeties doesn’t mean guaranteed, but high stats kids have much better chance than their low stats counterparts.

No, I am saying that EVEN for a high stats student, the acceptance rate must be well over 50% for a true safety. Lower than that, there is too much uncertainty, not sufficient assurance of admission.

Note that many colleges in the 40 to 55 ish % range tend to yield protect. Call these low targets.

This is just not true. My kid had a 1600, 3 800 IIs, quite a few 5 APs, pretty good grades with maximum rigor and great extracurriculars with some national awards. Guidance counselor said Michigan, Wisconsin and 2 UCs were all true safeties for her because their admissions are very stats based and she plotted out as 95%+. (GC was right.)

.

That does not change the fact that they were NOT safeties. Some people manage to get into many of their reaches and all of their targets. But being High stats and OOS does not make Mich or UW a true safety for anyone (unless your families name is on one of the buildings on campus)

Also any kid applying with SAT II scores, as the PP says her child did, applied some time ago, [b]likely before the pandemic, widespread test optional, and plummeting acceptance rates. The SAT II exams haven’t been offered in years.

Good catch. My kid took them eight years ago

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:saw this on r/collegeresults.

it was surprising to me.

https://www.reddit.com/r/collegeresults/comments/1fyggrq/good_newsbad_news_from_a_parent_signing_off_from/

I looked at the post. My take is that the student's essays read as "hot mess"/"red flag" to the most elite schools. And in no way do I intend that to be homophobic. One essay was described as about a dead half-brother revelation (TMI, family business) and another as a campaign to undermine a school policy/program (there are more professional and impressive ways to advocate).

Very successful people can come from all circumstances and POVs. But they know what impresses an audience. I think the student may have been authentic but fell flat with elites that can be ultra-picky about candidates.

Agree on the essays.

But, also, she had some great options -- USC, UNC, and she could have possibly gotten off a waitlist. Also wondering if she jumped to conclusions on her essays the way she did in her thoughts on campuses. Glad she is happy, but she really doesn't know what the others are like. Hoping she can ditch the chip on her shoulder and just enjoy her awesome admit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d be interested to hear more details from the last 2 Blair posters if you’re willing to share. 50 percent of Blair magnets students have a 4.0 GPA and about 1540 SAT, so it’s not surprising that most get rejected from the reach schools, even though the kid is so impressive. What other awards/ECs did your kid have and where did they apply?

There was a recent college advising night through the MBHS PTA that had some interesting info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d be interested to hear more details from the last 2 Blair posters if you’re willing to share. 50 percent of Blair magnets students have a 4.0 GPA and about 1540 SAT, so it’s not surprising that most get rejected from the reach schools, even though the kid is so impressive. What other awards/ECs did your kid have and where did they apply?

There was a recent college advising night through the MBHS PTA that had some interesting info.

Can you tell us what you learned?