How does this application strategy look?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She's going to get into ED UVA no doubt. It's a good list with all but UNC guaranteed. I didn't know you could apply both ED and EA?

Agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:for UVA make sure she is taking 4 years of language.

OP here. Many recent data points from our HS indicate that language in senior year was not a requirement as long as 4-5 years of language were taken (starting in middle school) and schedule was otherwise still rigorous. DD made it to 5 years (ending in junior year) but is dropping it senior year in favor of another AP science class and because she just really doesn't enjoy foreign language. We discussed the potential risk and decided to proceed anyway.

UVA is not a shoe-in with that profile.
I would ED to W&M, where ED actually makes a significant difference. RD to UVA - where the ED advantage is not that great. Also, be sure to take the most rigorous classes available - and realize that even with all the boxes checked, UVA is still iffy.
DD applied ED with similar stats and was waitlisted for College of Arts & Sciences. Was offered Year in Wise, but declined.
Good luck!

This only works if the kid really wants to go to W&M more than UVA.

OP, your kid has very strong prospects at UVA. If UVA is the #1 preference, you have a good plan and a good list.

[Anonymous]

How does she feel about having W&M and VT as her choices? If she doesn't get into UVA (and at our private, her stats put you in the running but not guaranteed by any stretch), that will probably be what she's considering and I'd ask her how she'd feel if that was really her situation. If she's ok with that and can see herself liking them both, or at least one, then sounds good. If she's going to be disappointed with VT and W&M, then I'd keep looking.

[Anonymous]

This is a great list. I'd take off UNC. It's incredibly hard to get into AND is going to be more expensive than your very good in state options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Univ. of Florida is the only other good one which she is a very strong candidate for. Good list.

OP here. Yes, I almost listed it and DD is interested. If ED doesn't work out she will probably apply there.

To the other PP, she does not want to apply binding ED to W&M because she is not sure she wants to go there over other choices. It's still in the running but may be too small for her.

[Anonymous]

I agree w the advice to add UGA ED. If this year follows last she’ll hear from UGA EA before UVA ED. Also OOS cost for UGA is very reasonable and w her stats there’s a likelihood of an offer for their excellent honors program.

But if she loves UVA definitely ED. And agree it would be shocking if she doesn’t get in. Make sure she looks at all of the info on their admissions about what they’re looking for - not just achievement but character. Assuming with her GPA she’s maxing out AP across all categories. Grade progression (as in getting better over time if not all As) also matters.

Good luck to her!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:for UVA make sure she is taking 4 years of language.

OP here. Many recent data points from our HS indicate that language in senior year was not a requirement as long as 4-5 years of language were taken (starting in middle school) and schedule was otherwise still rigorous. DD made it to 5 years (ending in junior year) but is dropping it senior year in favor of another AP science class and because she just really doesn't enjoy foreign language. We discussed the potential risk and decided to proceed anyway.

UVA is not a shoe-in with that profile.
I would ED to W&M, where ED actually makes a significant difference. RD to UVA - where the ED advantage is not that great. Also, be sure to take the most rigorous classes available - and realize that even with all the boxes checked, UVA is still iffy.
DD applied ED with similar stats and was waitlisted for College of Arts & Sciences. Was offered Year in Wise, but declined.
Good luck!

Kid isn't sure about W&M, so this is dumb. And in-state RD acceptance rate at uva is 11% vs 30% ED; EA is is 25%.

[Anonymous]

UVA ED also looks at high school class - If she is top of class she should be good!

[Anonymous]

I think the list and strategy are good! Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

It all depends on how many other top students there are in her grade at her school. Is she in the top 5? Top 10? Top 20? Top 50?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It all depends on how many other top students there are in her grade at her school. Is she in the top 5? Top 10? Top 20? Top 50?

OP here. Our school no longer gives class rank as of a couple years ago, but as of now she is top 5% (we know this because she was asked to be a Junior Marshall at this year's graduation) and counselor has confirmed that DD will receive "most rigorous" designation from the high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Add Vandy, WashU, Emory for premed

+1 if interested in privates

[Anonymous]

UMass Amherst
Florida
Florida State

My DD has similar stats but we are in Maryland so no UVA for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't want to try private? maybe a few top SLAC like Wellsesley. If just public, how about UM, UCLA?
The list is really short in today's standard.

OP here. We've been reading and researching but can't really find any comparable privates that would give decent merit aid. We wouldn't qualify for need-based and while we could pay $90k a year for college, I'm just not convinced it's worth it. Especially since it's looking likely DD will want to attend some form of grad school as well. I don't know - is that a mistake? She is our oldest so this is new to us. We have the money but we are frugal by nature and I do think she'd be happy somewhere like UVA.

I went to Pitt in parent times. Excellent outcomes at a bargain in-state price. Out of state is mid-priced. My friends and I were near the top of the class. Some outcomes among my circle: DH full-ride to Georgetown for grad, me full-ride to Michigan for grad, best girlfriend Harvard law, other close friends went to Pitt Med (now ENT), one went to Katz for MBA and is a VP at a big Healthcare company, and another never went to grad school but was an engineer and ended up in name brand software engineering sales consulting (this pays very well).

Based on this board, there's a chance of getting 5-10K merit as an OOS applicant. I enjoyed Pitt. I transferred from PSU main campus after freshman year. I was in Honors programs at both. I found out I was more of a city and liberal arts person than rural and business undergrad. PSU was comparatively weak in the humanities vs. Pitt. There are hints this is still true. But that wouldn't affect biology and data science majors. I would recommend Pitt for a pre-med though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:for UVA make sure she is taking 4 years of language.

OP here. Many recent data points from our HS indicate that language in senior year was not a requirement as long as 4-5 years of language were taken (starting in middle school) and schedule was otherwise still rigorous. DD made it to 5 years (ending in junior year) but is dropping it senior year in favor of another AP science class and because she just really doesn't enjoy foreign language. We discussed the potential risk and decided to proceed anyway.

UVA is not a shoe-in with that profile.
I would ED to W&M, where ED actually makes a significant difference. RD to UVA - where the ED advantage is not that great. Also, be sure to take the most rigorous classes available - and realize that even with all the boxes checked, UVA is still iffy.
DD applied ED with similar stats and was waitlisted for College of Arts & Sciences. Was offered Year in Wise, but declined.
Good luck!

Last year’s ED rate for UVA in state was three times higher than RD. Yes it’s a significant advantage.