PSAT results

[Anonymous]

We got our DD's a week or so ago. They look good, but the percentiles are based on a nation-wide population. So, are 62-66-62 (93rd percentile) fair, good, or what from a kid from a NoVA public? I don't want to ask friends about their kids, so thought I'd try an anonymous forum

[Anonymous]

You multipy X10 to roughly approximate a likely SAT score. The score distributions are fairly similar for the two tests.

So if you're DD had a 620, 660, 620 on the SAT that would put her within UVA's typical admission range (but on the low side).

UVA's Middle 50% rate for SAT scores:

610-720 Critical Reading

630-740 Math

620-720 Writing

It's a strong score, and if she improves some by senior year (which is likely), she'll find herself with a decent shot at admission to UVA, provided grades, extracurriculars, etc are strong. It's crazy that the 93rd percentile nationally is not good enough to make someone a shoe-in for the state's flagship university, but that's what we get for living in a highly educated state with strong public school systems. Of course, we're also blessed to have multiple public universities (UVA, W&M, VTech, JMU, VCU, GMU, etc.) where our kids can get a great education. We sometimes stress too much about our kids falling behind their peers in Northern Virginia, because it's easy to forget that the peer group here is REALLY strong.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info PP! That's why I asked because the population here is so ahead of the curve!

[Anonymous]

You could ask at your hs guidance office to see where the SAT score puts your kid relative to other kids at the school (this info has been published in places, including DCUM, but I don't have it handy). I must caution, however, that looking at the college's average scores often does nothing to compare your kid from a NoVa hs. For example, DD had similar scores as you mentioned, varsity sports, work experience, volunteer hours, AP classes, etc from a competitive FX County HS. The best VA school she was accepted to was GMU. She is happy at big competitive out of state U right now.