Virginia Tech SAT Scores
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
That seems close. UVA and W&M have pretty similar stats but are different types and sizes of schools. VT may be more selective for some majors (although I have not seen this data), but overall is in its stats are lower than UVA/W&M but above the other state schools so it is in its own tier. It also has a different "vibe" (hate that overused word but it works here). It is a more typical large state school experience. Below that, there are several schools that have pretty similar stats and acceptance rates high enough that many applying students may be accepted at their first choice of those: GMU, JMU, MWU, VCU, VMI, and CNU. There is a range of locations, sizes, and experiences in those schools. Overall, Virginia has good variety and the schools aren't "cookie cutter" as they are in some states. A lot of people on DCUM fret about prestige or outcomes based on where their kid is accepted, but I don't really see that big of a difference in the data once you adjust for majors and where graduates tend to settle. |
Anonymous
The percentage submitting is really the interesting number. Overall, those with lower percentages submitting are less selective than a school with a higher percentage submitting all other things being equal. The SAT range for JMU, for instance, is only reflective of slightly more than a quarter of the enrolled class. It is less than half of VT's submitting percentage and only about 37% of the percentage submitting for UVA and W&M. |
Anonymous
I don't understand what you are saying here. |
Anonymous
I think the numbers are showing a downward trend in students' academic quality for JMU--it's really surprising to me that it has slightly lower SATs than GMU even though a fewer percent of students submitted scores to JMU. I think the rise of VT and GMU has come at a cost to JMU--maybe because they are perceived to have more STEM/career focus? This is a precarious time for colleges because after all these years of competing for students, they are going to be hitting the demographic cliff that started in lower birth rates in 2008/2009 recession and never quite let up. I wonder if JMU's strategy is to become popular with a broader range of students rather than to continuously admit more academically strong students? I know GMUs strategy has been to grow to meet demand rather than to become increasingly selective. |
Anonymous
Not making excuses, but I believe the college class of 2026 was the first time JMU accepted the Common App. Applications have increased tremendously. Probably take them a couple of cycles to figure out where they "want to be". |
Anonymous
DP: When comparing SAT scores for schools during test optional it's important to look at the percent submitting scores because people with high scores tend to submit while those with lower scores do not. JMU has the lowest percent submitting of the examples listed here. So their SAT range really is the range of a little over 1/4 of the admitted students who opted to submit scores. Their 26.2% submitting is less than half the percentage of VTs (where about 56% submit) and 37% of UVA/WM (where about 70% submit). |
Anonymous
Thanks. It wasn't clear to me that you were using JMU as the base school to compare the other three schools to. |
Anonymous
This is a good point--the data may need to shake out after a bit. But plenty of schools have grown their profile/reputation by becoming less selective in terms of scores--there are obviously more kids with lower grades and SATs than those without. By loosening their admissions they can attract more people who think they have a chance which grows their popularity--an attractive safety or low-target is more needed than yet another competitive school. VT is already doing this to some degree by having a fairly wide and less predictable acceptance pattern with variation by majors. VT is attracting more applications each year which necessarily lowers its acceptance rate, but it's not really becoming notably that much harder to get into when you look at GPA/SAT. UVA and WM which have much smaller student bodies instead just steadily attract more applications and continue to just admit mainly the highest scorers. |
Anonymous
Additionally, and I know some folks hate the focus on athletics, JMU recently switched conferences, with success on the field and more exposure, AND reclassified as a R2 university. USNWR moved them from a regional school to a national university. A number of changes taking place. Tough to gage admission numbers. |
Anonymous
I think GMU also probably benefits from drawing more strong engineering students given the uncertainty with VT while JMU doesn't get those students because it has a kind of small "general engineering" program. |
Anonymous
The scores cited above show about 26% of enrolled JMU students submitted SAT scores vs 57% at VT and about 71% at UVA and W&M. So on a percentage basis, less than half of JMU enrolled students submitted SAT scores compared to VT and only about 37% in comparison to UVA/W&M. It means the score ranges at JMU are reflective of a significantly smaller slice of the enrolled class. |
Anonymous
JMU made a decision 20 plus years ago to significantly expand enrollment to increase its revenue base. This impacted its selectivity and over time has perhaps changed its perception from where some considered it "Big 4" with UVA/W&M/VT to now more in the mix with several other schools like GMU. GMU also grew significantly, but was quite a bit larger all along and it has significant locational appeal for students who can't go away to a 4 year residential school. |
Anonymous
There is a huge amount of self-selection in Virginia publics. In state kids tend not to apply to schools that their counselors say are reaches. UVA and W&M have had much of their application growth from OOS and they may be the only two schools that are more selective from OOS than in-state. The rest of the Virginia publics are probably less selective from OOS than in-state. They are eager to get OOS students to get more tuition. I think VT has gotten more selective in state, which drives many of the comments, because historically kids with similar stats would have been admitted. |
Anonymous
Disagree. Gen Z students (and their parents) do whatever they want |
Anonymous
Eh, I don't think so--it's easier than ever to look at scores and see where they will get in. So even if they don't listen to counselors, they don't bother. Why pay the application fee, do the extra work when Naviance shows you have no chance? |