Junior w 3.9/1550 - Big3 - College tour recommendations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much do colleges care about the major you declare when they admit you? Any real intel on this?

NP. I am curious about this too. On 4th one hand, as a parent I hear that highest rigor in math and science is more important when applying for STEM majors (within Arts and Sciences) or for Engineering. On the other hand, folks on DCUM often say that the declared major of interest is not important in the admissions decision. So, if DC declares history vs declaring Chemistry, will it not matter what the training in high school has emphasized. Intuitively, I would think that AOs would care more about science rigor if the student was interest in science/engg. Is this not the case? Should those declaring history be taking highest rigor courses too?

Meant to say "On the one hand.." not "4th"

[Anonymous]

Without a hook if there are T10 DC is interested in I would say apply, but not sure I would waste a ED on them.

With Duke taking in more from the Carolinas I think Duke for DCUM will be the same as ivys now and not sure if I would use that as an ED any longer.

University of Chicago might be the only one I would consider worth an ED if DC loves it.

[Anonymous]

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.

I’ve been to two of the schools people are listing here and had roommates at two others.

In my opinion:

- Every kid should apply to a state flagship type school and, if possible, a four-year state college that would provide a full-tuition scholarship.

- If your daughter has a good, special reason to study at a place like MIT or Harvard and understands that it could be a harsh place, she should at least consider applying there on a regular decision basis. The odds might not be great, but they’re probably over 10 percent. I think this strategy works best if your daughter is driving this and has a burning desire to go to a place like MIT, no matter what.

- Assuming your family is full-pay: I think the beauty of making a school like Rice, Wash. U. or the University of Rochester a top pick is that they’re generally kind places. The work might be hard, and some people might be jerks, but the schools don’t take pride in being nasty, like certain schools in Chicago and New York.

- Another strategy might be to focus on schools like the University of Miami that might have good classes in your daughter’s favorite fields, seem like academic safeties and might lavish merit aid on your daughter. Even if she doesn’t really need the merit aid, and she’d be in the top 2 percent in terms of stats, going to a college as a student a university loves can be a lot of fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Without a hook if there are T10 DC is interested in I would say apply, but not sure I would waste a ED on them.

With Duke taking in more from the Carolinas I think Duke for DCUM will be the same as ivys now and not sure if I would use that as an ED any longer.

University of Chicago might be the only one I would consider worth an ED if DC loves it.

+ 100. Chicago remains the one top school with ED predictability: With stats in a certain range, and unhooked, you will be in with greater certainty than be said for any other top 10/20 school. That said, Chicago's weather and U Chicago's location + Chicago's core curriculum and their quarter system are major factors to consider. For literally any student for whom these are not a problem, Chicago ED is the obvious way to go to endure a quality ED outcome.

[Anonymous]

It must be the holiday spirit, I am seeing outstandingly informative responses on this thread! Keep it up DCUM!

[Anonymous]

Test scores? That could make a huge difference re likely options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Without a hook if there are T10 DC is interested in I would say apply, but not sure I would waste a ED on them.

With Duke taking in more from the Carolinas I think Duke for DCUM will be the same as ivys now and not sure if I would use that as an ED any longer.

University of Chicago might be the only one I would consider worth an ED if DC loves it.

+ 100. Chicago remains the one top school with ED predictability: With stats in a certain range, and unhooked, you will be in with greater certainty than be said for any other top 10/20 school. That said, Chicago's weather and U Chicago's location + Chicago's core curriculum and their quarter system are major factors to consider. For literally any student for whom these are not a problem, Chicago ED is the obvious way to go to endure a quality ED outcome.

But you don't need anywhere near a 3.9 from a Big3 to get into Chicago! Our school's Scoir data shows acceptances last year (unhooked) down to a 3.4!
It really mostly serves to take the kids outside of the top 20% in the class who still want a prestigious and/or academic college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Test scores? That could make a huge difference re likely options.

I think OP said 1550 SAT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Without a hook if there are T10 DC is interested in I would say apply, but not sure I would waste a ED on them.

With Duke taking in more from the Carolinas I think Duke for DCUM will be the same as ivys now and not sure if I would use that as an ED any longer.

University of Chicago might be the only one I would consider worth an ED if DC loves it.

+ 100. Chicago remains the one top school with ED predictability: With stats in a certain range, and unhooked, you will be in with greater certainty than be said for any other top 10/20 school. That said, Chicago's weather and U Chicago's location + Chicago's core curriculum and their quarter system are major factors to consider. For literally any student for whom these are not a problem, Chicago ED is the obvious way to go to endure a quality ED outcome.

But you don't need anywhere near a 3.9 from a Big3 to get into Chicago! Our school's Scoir data shows acceptances last year (unhooked) down to a 3.4!
It really mostly serves to take the kids outside of the top 20% in the class who still want a prestigious and/or academic college.

On what planet? Tons of amazing students are rejected by Chicago in the ED rounds! It is no slam dunk for anyone, regardless of ability to pay, perfect grades and perfect test scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Without a hook if there are T10 DC is interested in I would say apply, but not sure I would waste a ED on them.

With Duke taking in more from the Carolinas I think Duke for DCUM will be the same as ivys now and not sure if I would use that as an ED any longer.

University of Chicago might be the only one I would consider worth an ED if DC loves it.

+ 100. Chicago remains the one top school with ED predictability: With stats in a certain range, and unhooked, you will be in with greater certainty than be said for any other top 10/20 school. That said, Chicago's weather and U Chicago's location + Chicago's core curriculum and their quarter system are major factors to consider. For literally any student for whom these are not a problem, Chicago ED is the obvious way to go to endure a quality ED outcome.

But you don't need anywhere near a 3.9 from a Big3 to get into Chicago! Our school's Scoir data shows acceptances last year (unhooked) down to a 3.4!
It really mostly serves to take the kids outside of the top 20% in the class who still want a prestigious and/or academic college.

Are you sure those weren't URM?

[Anonymous]

In our Big 3, I see an ED enrolled last year
at 3.65. Other than that it is 3.8 and above.

[Anonymous]

For Chicago, I see a sudden increase in Cutoff GPA in the last two years (2022 vs 2023) for our Big 3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Without a hook if there are T10 DC is interested in I would say apply, but not sure I would waste a ED on them.

With Duke taking in more from the Carolinas I think Duke for DCUM will be the same as ivys now and not sure if I would use that as an ED any longer.

University of Chicago might be the only one I would consider worth an ED if DC loves it.

+ 100. Chicago remains the one top school with ED predictability: With stats in a certain range, and unhooked, you will be in with greater certainty than be said for any other top 10/20 school. That said, Chicago's weather and U Chicago's location + Chicago's core curriculum and their quarter system are major factors to consider. For literally any student for whom these are not a problem, Chicago ED is the obvious way to go to endure a quality ED outcome.

But you don't need anywhere near a 3.9 from a Big3 to get into Chicago! Our school's Scoir data shows acceptances last year (unhooked) down to a 3.4!
It really mostly serves to take the kids outside of the top 20% in the class who still want a prestigious and/or academic college.

My DC is not at a big 3, but private in NJ. Our cutoff seems to be 3.87 - all under that have been denied or weight listed/deferred then denied.

[Anonymous]

I’ll never understand why parents pay tens of thousands of dollars a year to send their kids to allegedly the most prestigious high schools in the DC area then have to come here and ask for college advice. What the hell are you paying for? Is it just a humble brag thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much do colleges care about the major you declare when they admit you? Any real intel on this?

NP. I am curious about this too. On 4th one hand, as a parent I hear that highest rigor in math and science is more important when applying for STEM majors (within Arts and Sciences) or for Engineering. On the other hand, folks on DCUM often say that the declared major of interest is not important in the admissions decision. So, if DC declares history vs declaring Chemistry, will it not matter what the training in high school has emphasized. Intuitively, I would think that AOs would care more about science rigor if the student was interest in science/engg. Is this not the case? Should those declaring history be taking highest rigor courses too?

Yes, highest overall rigor regardless of major.