Looking forward to the process with my B+ student

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IN our area, the kids who are the most bitter are FCPS excellent students, in a sea of excellent students. Their parents have said "instate only." They can't get into UVA/WM. The number of APs has been ridiculous and they are bitter. Did not enjoy high school very much.

I'd of been pissed too if I'd gone through the FCPS AP grind only to end up at JMU. Who are these parents, and why won't they consider OOS or private options that might be the same price as or lower than a VA school?

I'd be upset, too. Looking at my DC's schedule this year, they could have taken it a lot easier and even had a free period. But, they are aiming higher and that means more work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I relate.
I have 2 kids (at competitive privates) who are just below the sure-thing kids. If you're top10% at their schools you can pretty much pick your college--even at the level of Yale.
The next rung down and you're throwing the dice in the mix for the lesser Ivies and other top 20s.
The next rung down and you're securely out of top20 land.

My kids are in that intermediate rung which is highly stressful. College counseling says that almost any school is within reach but we should maximize strategy, etc. It would be a lot easier if my kids were just B+ students. I have a third kid who is still in middle school and doesn't seem to be a strong student. I think admissions will be easier with this one.

What uw gpa is each rung?

I read somewhere on here earlier that it goes:
3.9+
3.8+
3.7+

Is that true?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IN our area, the kids who are the most bitter are FCPS excellent students, in a sea of excellent students. Their parents have said "instate only." They can't get into UVA/WM. The number of APs has been ridiculous and they are bitter. Did not enjoy high school very much.

Bad strategy and planning. Your peers are always your largest competition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I loved going through the process with my B+ student. Everything was a happy surprise. “Hey, this lesser-known school is pretty great!”
“Hey, they want me!” “Hey, that’s a nice merit offer!” Just much more relaxed and fun. Also more thinking about what they want vs. who wanted them. It was really nice.

The process for my shooting-for-prestige A student was different. Much more stressful, more rejections, including both ED1 and ED2, far more stress about what peers thought, and also whether or not they were “wanted.”

I dunno. In retrospect I don’t really think the angst about higher prestige contributed more than it cost. Looking back it feels like a pretty big waste of energy.

I agree but then what is the messaging to these kids who want to try? Don't bother? That feels wrong. It's a total waste of energy though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IN our area, the kids who are the most bitter are FCPS excellent students, in a sea of excellent students. Their parents have said "instate only." They can't get into UVA/WM. The number of APs has been ridiculous and they are bitter. Did not enjoy high school very much.

I'd of been pissed too if I'd gone through the FCPS AP grind only to end up at JMU. Who are these parents, and why won't they consider OOS or private options that might be the same price as or lower than a VA school?

You're bashing JMU but probably wouldn't get into my kid's middle school with that grammar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IN our area, the kids who are the most bitter are FCPS excellent students, in a sea of excellent students. Their parents have said "instate only." They can't get into UVA/WM. The number of APs has been ridiculous and they are bitter. Did not enjoy high school very much.

I'd of been pissed too if I'd gone through the FCPS AP grind only to end up at JMU. Who are these parents, and why won't they consider OOS or private options that might be the same price as or lower than a VA school?

You're bashing JMU but probably wouldn't get into my kid's middle school with that grammar.

Not PP, but I'm guessing that was autocorrect or a simple brain fart given that the rest of the post was fairly well-written.

More importantly, PP makes a solid point, and I don't think they were bashing JMU but pointing out the paradox of parents pushing their kids through a rigorous FCPS high school track, only to leave them with just two options for colleges that could be considered remotely elite or selective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I loved going through the process with my B+ student. Everything was a happy surprise. “Hey, this lesser-known school is pretty great!”
“Hey, they want me!” “Hey, that’s a nice merit offer!” Just much more relaxed and fun. Also more thinking about what they want vs. who wanted them. It was really nice.

The process for my shooting-for-prestige A student was different. Much more stressful, more rejections, including both ED1 and ED2, far more stress about what peers thought, and also whether or not they were “wanted.”

I dunno. In retrospect I don’t really think the angst about higher prestige contributed more than it cost. Looking back it feels like a pretty big waste of energy.

I agree but then what is the messaging to these kids who want to try? Don't bother? That feels wrong. It's a total waste of energy though.

I don’t know, but I did tell my high-stats kid that they didn’t have to try for prestige schools. And a little while later they told me how they were dreaming of game day in a big stadium on a sunny day in the fall, and I did not spend even one breath trying to convince them that they should shoot for something more prestigious.

[Anonymous]

My B+ student applied to two colleges: JMU and GMU and got into both. GMU was a lock, but we weren't sure about JMU. Luckily they got in early action. Picked JMU and is loving it. My other child is a much stronger student with almost all As, but because they want to major in CS, there is a chance they will be choosing between the same two colleges. UVA, VT, and W&M are all possible, but none are guaranteed. The stronger student will definitely be disappointed if they have the same options as their B+ sibling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My B+ student applied to two colleges: JMU and GMU and got into both. GMU was a lock, but we weren't sure about JMU. Luckily they got in early action. Picked JMU and is loving it. My other child is a much stronger student with almost all As, but because they want to major in CS, there is a chance they will be choosing between the same two colleges. UVA, VT, and W&M are all possible, but none are guaranteed. The stronger student will definitely be disappointed if they have the same options as their B+ sibling.

Well, I have an A-/1500+ FCPS kid with lots of APs. They are not getting into UVA and if they get shut out of WM/VT we are going OOS. Our guidance counselor tried to sell us on JMU, but I am sorry, like hell. My kid has worked to hard to end up there with their classmates who goofed off most of high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My B+ student applied to two colleges: JMU and GMU and got into both. GMU was a lock, but we weren't sure about JMU. Luckily they got in early action. Picked JMU and is loving it. My other child is a much stronger student with almost all As, but because they want to major in CS, there is a chance they will be choosing between the same two colleges. UVA, VT, and W&M are all possible, but none are guaranteed. The stronger student will definitely be disappointed if they have the same options as their B+ sibling.

Well, I have an A-/1500+ FCPS kid with lots of APs. They are not getting into UVA and if they get shut out of WM/VT we are going OOS. Our guidance counselor tried to sell us on JMU, but I am sorry, like hell. My kid has worked to hard to end up there with their classmates who goofed off most of high school.

Unlikely that your student will be denied at all of the three top Virginia public universities with those stats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My B+ student applied to two colleges: JMU and GMU and got into both. GMU was a lock, but we weren't sure about JMU. Luckily they got in early action. Picked JMU and is loving it. My other child is a much stronger student with almost all As, but because they want to major in CS, there is a chance they will be choosing between the same two colleges. UVA, VT, and W&M are all possible, but none are guaranteed. The stronger student will definitely be disappointed if they have the same options as their B+ sibling.

Well, I have an A-/1500+ FCPS kid with lots of APs. They are not getting into UVA and if they get shut out of WM/VT we are going OOS. Our guidance counselor tried to sell us on JMU, but I am sorry, like hell. My kid has worked to hard to end up there with their classmates who goofed off most of high school.

They have a good chance of UVA-why dont you think so?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My B+ student applied to two colleges: JMU and GMU and got into both. GMU was a lock, but we weren't sure about JMU. Luckily they got in early action. Picked JMU and is loving it. My other child is a much stronger student with almost all As, but because they want to major in CS, there is a chance they will be choosing between the same two colleges. UVA, VT, and W&M are all possible, but none are guaranteed. The stronger student will definitely be disappointed if they have the same options as their B+ sibling.

Well, I have an A-/1500+ FCPS kid with lots of APs. They are not getting into UVA and if they get shut out of WM/VT we are going OOS. Our guidance counselor tried to sell us on JMU, but I am sorry, like hell. My kid has worked to hard to end up there with their classmates who goofed off most of high school.

Why aren’t they getting into UVA? Sounds like they have a good chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My B+ student applied to two colleges: JMU and GMU and got into both. GMU was a lock, but we weren't sure about JMU. Luckily they got in early action. Picked JMU and is loving it. My other child is a much stronger student with almost all As, but because they want to major in CS, there is a chance they will be choosing between the same two colleges. UVA, VT, and W&M are all possible, but none are guaranteed. The stronger student will definitely be disappointed if they have the same options as their B+ sibling.

Well, I have an A-/1500+ FCPS kid with lots of APs. They are not getting into UVA and if they get shut out of WM/VT we are going OOS. Our guidance counselor tried to sell us on JMU, but I am sorry, like hell. My kid has worked to hard to end up there with their classmates who goofed off most of high school.

Unlikely that your student will be denied at all of the three top Virginia public universities with those stats.

I wouldn't be so sure. Plus--VT is a very different school to W&M.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My B+ student applied to two colleges: JMU and GMU and got into both. GMU was a lock, but we weren't sure about JMU. Luckily they got in early action. Picked JMU and is loving it. My other child is a much stronger student with almost all As, but because they want to major in CS, there is a chance they will be choosing between the same two colleges. UVA, VT, and W&M are all possible, but none are guaranteed. The stronger student will definitely be disappointed if they have the same options as their B+ sibling.

Well, I have an A-/1500+ FCPS kid with lots of APs. They are not getting into UVA and if they get shut out of WM/VT we are going OOS. Our guidance counselor tried to sell us on JMU, but I am sorry, like hell. My kid has worked to hard to end up there with their classmates who goofed off most of high school.

My kid had the same line of thinking. 3.98/4.5, 1560, 9 APs. Only two in state applications: WL at UVA. Accepted at WM. Not interested in Tech nor JMU (my alma mater). Attending OOS flagship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My B+ student applied to two colleges: JMU and GMU and got into both. GMU was a lock, but we weren't sure about JMU. Luckily they got in early action. Picked JMU and is loving it. My other child is a much stronger student with almost all As, but because they want to major in CS, there is a chance they will be choosing between the same two colleges. UVA, VT, and W&M are all possible, but none are guaranteed. The stronger student will definitely be disappointed if they have the same options as their B+ sibling.

Well, I have an A-/1500+ FCPS kid with lots of APs. They are not getting into UVA and if they get shut out of WM/VT we are going OOS. Our guidance counselor tried to sell us on JMU, but I am sorry, like hell. My kid has worked to hard to end up there with their classmates who goofed off most of high school.

They have a good chance of UVA-why dont you think so?

Because unfortunately (1) they do have a few Bs (that together with the As they have gotten average out to an A-), (2) I doubt they are in the top 10% of their HS class (a competitive one, although not McLean or Langley), (3) no national awards although they have some good ECs, and (4) they are in a sea of red in Naviance for UVA.