UVA info session today said “most rigorous in ALL 5 core subjects.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing this thread pop up and every time I can't help but think who the hell does UVA think they are? You are a state school in a podunk town with a mediocre football team - basically a virgin who can't drive. AP's in all five or you're not good enough for us? Ok! I will make my way to all of the other amazing state schools in VA and not even apply to your boring, overrated school. Sit and spin, UVA.

You have to be a kid. Have a hard time imagining an adult taking their time to write this. Appreciate the amusement though.

Come on. No one has said "sit and spin" since the 80's. I'm obviously Gen-X. With a really smart kid, accomplished kid who couldn't care less about UVA. I'm just saying...there are some very twisted pairs of undies out there for a school that is not all that. Does Harvard deserve a wedgie? Probably. Yale? Likely. UVA? Absolutely not.

And one more thing...if you live in Virginia, your tax dollars are supporting UVA. Every kid should have a shot at being accepted at a state school their tax dollars support. Even the ones who don't take five AP's and get all A's at the risk of losing their sanity. What about the kid who made wise choices about their course load because they love their sport and they work part-time and value being a human being on the weekends instead of spending hours and hours on homework, test prep, tutoring? That kid is trash to UVA. Think about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing this thread pop up and every time I can't help but think who the hell does UVA think they are? You are a state school in a podunk town with a mediocre football team - basically a virgin who can't drive. AP's in all five or you're not good enough for us? Ok! I will make my way to all of the other amazing state schools in VA and not even apply to your boring, overrated school. Sit and spin, UVA.

You have to be a kid. Have a hard time imagining an adult taking their time to write this. Appreciate the amusement though.

Come on. No one has said "sit and spin" since the 80's. I'm obviously Gen-X. With a really smart kid, accomplished kid who couldn't care less about UVA. I'm just saying...there are some very twisted pairs of undies out there for a school that is not all that. Does Harvard deserve a wedgie? Probably. Yale? Likely. UVA? Absolutely not.

OK, it doesn't change the reality of their admission criteria. The only twisted undies are yours. If you care less about it and your smart accomplished kid doesn't plan on applying, why comment and say sit and spin? Maybe you started the boxed wine spritzers early today...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing this thread pop up and every time I can't help but think who the hell does UVA think they are? You are a state school in a podunk town with a mediocre football team - basically a virgin who can't drive. AP's in all five or you're not good enough for us? Ok! I will make my way to all of the other amazing state schools in VA and not even apply to your boring, overrated school. Sit and spin, UVA.

You have to be a kid. Have a hard time imagining an adult taking their time to write this. Appreciate the amusement though.

Come on. No one has said "sit and spin" since the 80's. I'm obviously Gen-X. With a really smart kid, accomplished kid who couldn't care less about UVA. I'm just saying...there are some very twisted pairs of undies out there for a school that is not all that. Does Harvard deserve a wedgie? Probably. Yale? Likely. UVA? Absolutely not.

And one more thing...if you live in Virginia, your tax dollars are supporting UVA. Every kid should have a shot at being accepted at a state school their tax dollars support. Even the ones who don't take five AP's and get all A's at the risk of losing their sanity. What about the kid who made wise choices about their course load because they love their sport and they work part-time and value being a human being on the weekends instead of spending hours and hours on homework, test prep, tutoring? That kid is trash to UVA. Think about it.

There are other universities in VA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know why this is so hard to grasp, or why this needs to be parsed nine ways to Sunday:

1) UVA is a competetive school for which to be admitted.

2) Given 1), the way to make yourself stand out is to have a stellar résumé.

3) The way to have a stellar résumé is to take the most challenging classes your school offers and do well in them.

4) And yes, that may include pursuing a foreign language as far as you can.

That's it, that's the formula.

But why a foreign language, why not take another 5th class as far as you can?

It is not foreign language over another core. It is in addition. Many high schools allow 6 core courses: the kids take the 5 main ones then “double up “ with a second science or second history. There are top10 colleges that expect this and say it in their literature, if it is an option at the high school. Prep schools have over 1/3 of students doing this starting 10th grade. The governors schools and the stem magnets have 6 core courses taken by many students. Foreign language for all 4 yrs of HS is not eliminating the option to double something else.

True, but its difficult if you also take 4 years of say, Choir or Band. Which ALSO look good on college apps. Also makes you look well-rounded and shows dedication to something artsy. In the end, its a bit of a crapshoot.

Every high school I know of in Virginia has 7 class periods. Some have 8 (zero period). The band/choir orchestra students take that all4 yrs and can still take 6 core courses. Sure a lot of students take a study hall but many do not. Same with theater kids. Having an art does not preclude one from taking 6 cores at most schools. .

PE, Health.
AP Science.
Computer Science sequence.

My kid did these during the summer so that she could do orchestra, art, and APs in all core subjects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing this thread pop up and every time I can't help but think who the hell does UVA think they are? You are a state school in a podunk town with a mediocre football team - basically a virgin who can't drive. AP's in all five or you're not good enough for us? Ok! I will make my way to all of the other amazing state schools in VA and not even apply to your boring, overrated school. Sit and spin, UVA.

You have to be a kid. Have a hard time imagining an adult taking their time to write this. Appreciate the amusement though.

Come on. No one has said "sit and spin" since the 80's. I'm obviously Gen-X. With a really smart kid, accomplished kid who couldn't care less about UVA. I'm just saying...there are some very twisted pairs of undies out there for a school that is not all that. Does Harvard deserve a wedgie? Probably. Yale? Likely. UVA? Absolutely not.

OK, it doesn't change the reality of their admission criteria. The only twisted undies are yours. If you care less about it and your smart accomplished kid doesn't plan on applying, why comment and say sit and spin? Maybe you started the boxed wine spritzers early today...

Boxed wine is only for lame UVA tailgates. People like me drink real s$*t like rum and Tab. But that's fine. Go ahead and fall for UVA's made up exclusivity like that Dooney and Burke purse you wanted back in the day. It's all the rage. Doesn't matter if your kid ruins their health and sanity for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing this thread pop up and every time I can't help but think who the hell does UVA think they are? You are a state school in a podunk town with a mediocre football team - basically a virgin who can't drive. AP's in all five or you're not good enough for us? Ok! I will make my way to all of the other amazing state schools in VA and not even apply to your boring, overrated school. Sit and spin, UVA.

You have to be a kid. Have a hard time imagining an adult taking their time to write this. Appreciate the amusement though.

Come on. No one has said "sit and spin" since the 80's. I'm obviously Gen-X. With a really smart kid, accomplished kid who couldn't care less about UVA. I'm just saying...there are some very twisted pairs of undies out there for a school that is not all that. Does Harvard deserve a wedgie? Probably. Yale? Likely. UVA? Absolutely not.

You sound sick in the head.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing this thread pop up and every time I can't help but think who the hell does UVA think they are? You are a state school in a podunk town with a mediocre football team - basically a virgin who can't drive. AP's in all five or you're not good enough for us? Ok! I will make my way to all of the other amazing state schools in VA and not even apply to your boring, overrated school. Sit and spin, UVA.

You have to be a kid. Have a hard time imagining an adult taking their time to write this. Appreciate the amusement though.

Come on. No one has said "sit and spin" since the 80's. I'm obviously Gen-X. With a really smart kid, accomplished kid who couldn't care less about UVA. I'm just saying...there are some very twisted pairs of undies out there for a school that is not all that. Does Harvard deserve a wedgie? Probably. Yale? Likely. UVA? Absolutely not.

You sound sick in the head.

You sound like you've downed the UVA snake oil and bought another bottle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing this thread pop up and every time I can't help but think who the hell does UVA think they are? You are a state school in a podunk town with a mediocre football team - basically a virgin who can't drive. AP's in all five or you're not good enough for us? Ok! I will make my way to all of the other amazing state schools in VA and not even apply to your boring, overrated school. Sit and spin, UVA.

You have to be a kid. Have a hard time imagining an adult taking their time to write this. Appreciate the amusement though.

Come on. No one has said "sit and spin" since the 80's. I'm obviously Gen-X. With a really smart kid, accomplished kid who couldn't care less about UVA. I'm just saying...there are some very twisted pairs of undies out there for a school that is not all that. Does Harvard deserve a wedgie? Probably. Yale? Likely. UVA? Absolutely not.

OK, it doesn't change the reality of their admission criteria. The only twisted undies are yours. If you care less about it and your smart accomplished kid doesn't plan on applying, why comment and say sit and spin? Maybe you started the boxed wine spritzers early today...

Boxed wine is only for lame UVA tailgates. People like me drink real s$*t like rum and Tab. But that's fine. Go ahead and fall for UVA's made up exclusivity like that Dooney and Burke purse you wanted back in the day. It's all the rage. Doesn't matter if your kid ruins their health and sanity for it.

NP. Move on Sour Grapes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing this thread pop up and every time I can't help but think who the hell does UVA think they are? You are a state school in a podunk town with a mediocre football team - basically a virgin who can't drive. AP's in all five or you're not good enough for us? Ok! I will make my way to all of the other amazing state schools in VA and not even apply to your boring, overrated school. Sit and spin, UVA.

You have to be a kid. Have a hard time imagining an adult taking their time to write this. Appreciate the amusement though.

Come on. No one has said "sit and spin" since the 80's. I'm obviously Gen-X. With a really smart kid, accomplished kid who couldn't care less about UVA. I'm just saying...there are some very twisted pairs of undies out there for a school that is not all that. Does Harvard deserve a wedgie? Probably. Yale? Likely. UVA? Absolutely not.

And one more thing...if you live in Virginia, your tax dollars are supporting UVA. Every kid should have a shot at being accepted at a state school their tax dollars support. Even the ones who don't take five AP's and get all A's at the risk of losing their sanity. What about the kid who made wise choices about their course load because they love their sport and they work part-time and value being a human being on the weekends instead of spending hours and hours on homework, test prep, tutoring? That kid is trash to UVA. Think about it.

UVA, W&M, and VT have programs that are selective. Everyone knows this.

If you want a state school in Virginia, you have a dozen other options. You don't have to participate in the super competitive admissions processes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing this thread pop up and every time I can't help but think who the hell does UVA think they are? You are a state school in a podunk town with a mediocre football team - basically a virgin who can't drive. AP's in all five or you're not good enough for us? Ok! I will make my way to all of the other amazing state schools in VA and not even apply to your boring, overrated school. Sit and spin, UVA.

You have to be a kid. Have a hard time imagining an adult taking their time to write this. Appreciate the amusement though.

Come on. No one has said "sit and spin" since the 80's. I'm obviously Gen-X. With a really smart kid, accomplished kid who couldn't care less about UVA. I'm just saying...there are some very twisted pairs of undies out there for a school that is not all that. Does Harvard deserve a wedgie? Probably. Yale? Likely. UVA? Absolutely not.

You sound sick in the head.

You sound like you've downed the UVA snake oil and bought another bottle.

Cuckoo, cuckoo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is what we were told by our private college counselor. There are several “must” APs if your child is in FCPS and is applying to the UVA College of Arts and Sciences:

AP Lang
AP Calc - at least AB
APUSH (and avoid Online APUSH)
AP World Language

+ a science, like AP Bio, AP Chem or AP Physics.

Then add at least two or three more APs of your choice. Avoid DE classes in your core classes. Don’t try to take core classes from the online campus.

OP here. The same admissions officer I mentioned in my post claims that DE is viewed “equally” to AP. Take that how you will.

Maggie walker tells the top kids it is not considered equal unless it is post-AP. Admission results confirm the preference that not only UVA but ivies have strong AP preference. Maybe our DE just is not as good as other schools?

You are wrong. Yale explicitly says on their website that DE, IB and AP are considered equally.

Yale is just saying that generically. For some high schools it could be similar . For many it is not nearly as rigorous. DE is completely fine in schools that do not offer the AP or IB equivalent. Maggie Walker considers AP to be superior. They strongly steer the top kids that way. They know what they are doing. They are the ones writing the counselor letter to colleges: the high school determines relative rigor and makes it clear to colleges what is top. At MGLWS, you’d better have AP calc not DE, and AP chem not DE, etc

OP here. This was my clearest takeaway. That the HS guidance counselor making $75k year has a very outsize influence over the application. So cross your fingers that your kid's counselor thinks their courseload is "most rigorous"!

Yeah, how crazy, the guy who does this for a living, knows the colleges and their process, and knows all the kids (or at least the ones assigned to him) is the one whose opinion the colleges trust most! What idiots they all are!

As you point out, if he made more money then maybe his opinion would be more valuable.

Have you ever even met a public high school guidance counselor? They are basically people who wanted summers off but thought teaching sounded too hard.

Yes, and the ones at our public HS are anything but as you describe. Your stereotype is both unfair and untrue. In my state you need a specialized masters to be one.

My DD’s first HS counselor told her she should quit language at level 3 (after 9th grade) if she wanted a slot to take more science (DD was asking about PE in summer school) This was after DD told her she was looking at top schools. She also told DD she didn’t really need to take Physics at all and that DE USH was viewed “the same” as APUSH. Thankfully the school reshuffled the alphabet assignments and we got a new counselor. Jury is still out on the new one.

So you got a bad one, that doesn't mean the idea that GC opinion matters so much is a bad idea, it's still the best one. There are also bad doctors, accountants, plumbers, bosses, CEOs, and every other category of professional. The premise that GCs are unqualified as a category is ignorant. And no I am not one nor related to one.

When anyone asks me for college admissions advice the first thing I always say is "work with your GC from the first day of HS if possible and build a relationship with them".

Do you understand the turnover in a public school? My kid was very close with her GC in 9th and 10th. Now as an 11th grader, when she needs him most, he has left for another school. Lucky her

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing this thread pop up and every time I can't help but think who the hell does UVA think they are? You are a state school in a podunk town with a mediocre football team - basically a virgin who can't drive. AP's in all five or you're not good enough for us? Ok! I will make my way to all of the other amazing state schools in VA and not even apply to your boring, overrated school. Sit and spin, UVA.

My son went to UVA and this reminds me of when he was like "all this hype to get here and there are roaches in my dorm."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing this thread pop up and every time I can't help but think who the hell does UVA think they are? You are a state school in a podunk town with a mediocre football team - basically a virgin who can't drive. AP's in all five or you're not good enough for us? Ok! I will make my way to all of the other amazing state schools in VA and not even apply to your boring, overrated school. Sit and spin, UVA.

You have to be a kid. Have a hard time imagining an adult taking their time to write this. Appreciate the amusement though.

Come on. No one has said "sit and spin" since the 80's. I'm obviously Gen-X. With a really smart kid, accomplished kid who couldn't care less about UVA. I'm just saying...there are some very twisted pairs of undies out there for a school that is not all that. Does Harvard deserve a wedgie? Probably. Yale? Likely. UVA? Absolutely not.

And one more thing...if you live in Virginia, your tax dollars are supporting UVA. Every kid should have a shot at being accepted at a state school their tax dollars support. Even the ones who don't take five AP's and get all A's at the risk of losing their sanity. What about the kid who made wise choices about their course load because they love their sport and they work part-time and value being a human being on the weekends instead of spending hours and hours on homework, test prep, tutoring? That kid is trash to UVA. Think about it.

UVA, W&M, and VT have programs that are selective. Everyone knows this.

If you want a state school in Virginia, you have a dozen other options. You don't have to participate in the super competitive admissions processes.

Ok - I'm gonna move on and let y'all have your masochistic conversation about UVA's deliciously rigorous requirements for admission. If you're gonna use this as your dopamine fix though, please at least give a thought to how it's affecting your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing this thread pop up and every time I can't help but think who the hell does UVA think they are? You are a state school in a podunk town with a mediocre football team - basically a virgin who can't drive. AP's in all five or you're not good enough for us? Ok! I will make my way to all of the other amazing state schools in VA and not even apply to your boring, overrated school. Sit and spin, UVA.

You have to be a kid. Have a hard time imagining an adult taking their time to write this. Appreciate the amusement though.

Come on. No one has said "sit and spin" since the 80's. I'm obviously Gen-X. With a really smart kid, accomplished kid who couldn't care less about UVA. I'm just saying...there are some very twisted pairs of undies out there for a school that is not all that. Does Harvard deserve a wedgie? Probably. Yale? Likely. UVA? Absolutely not.

And one more thing...if you live in Virginia, your tax dollars are supporting UVA. Every kid should have a shot at being accepted at a state school their tax dollars support. Even the ones who don't take five AP's and get all A's at the risk of losing their sanity. What about the kid who made wise choices about their course load because they love their sport and they work part-time and value being a human being on the weekends instead of spending hours and hours on homework, test prep, tutoring? That kid is trash to UVA. Think about it.

UVA, W&M, and VT have programs that are selective. Everyone knows this.

If you want a state school in Virginia, you have a dozen other options. You don't have to participate in the super competitive admissions processes.

Exactly. It’s also important to consider the prospective major. Each school has things it’s known for. VT - engineering and pre-vet, UVA - humanities, W&M - SLAC experience with undergrad focus, JMU - business, Radford - nursing and criminal justice, UMW - historic preservation and geography/cartography, CNU - business, Longwood - education, VCU - arts or pre-med, etc.
We are lucky to have so many options in Va, and smart people will look beyond the “top” 1 or 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing this thread pop up and every time I can't help but think who the hell does UVA think they are? You are a state school in a podunk town with a mediocre football team - basically a virgin who can't drive. AP's in all five or you're not good enough for us? Ok! I will make my way to all of the other amazing state schools in VA and not even apply to your boring, overrated school. Sit and spin, UVA.

You have to be a kid. Have a hard time imagining an adult taking their time to write this. Appreciate the amusement though.

Come on. No one has said "sit and spin" since the 80's. I'm obviously Gen-X. With a really smart kid, accomplished kid who couldn't care less about UVA. I'm just saying...there are some very twisted pairs of undies out there for a school that is not all that. Does Harvard deserve a wedgie? Probably. Yale? Likely. UVA? Absolutely not.

And one more thing...if you live in Virginia, your tax dollars are supporting UVA. Every kid should have a shot at being accepted at a state school their tax dollars support. Even the ones who don't take five AP's and get all A's at the risk of losing their sanity. What about the kid who made wise choices about their course load because they love their sport and they work part-time and value being a human being on the weekends instead of spending hours and hours on homework, test prep, tutoring? That kid is trash to UVA. Think about it.

UVA, W&M, and VT have programs that are selective. Everyone knows this.

If you want a state school in Virginia, you have a dozen other options. You don't have to participate in the super competitive admissions processes.

Ok - I'm gonna move on and let y'all have your masochistic conversation about UVA's deliciously rigorous requirements for admission. If you're gonna use this as your dopamine fix though, please at least give a thought to how it's affecting your kid.

Good deal, you might want to put down the rum and Tab, it's still early. Glad to know your typing your psychotic rant as opposed to yelling it. I'm sure the neighbor in the double wide next door would get pretty pissed.