3.65 unweighted GPA and a 1580 SAT from a BIG 3 - What should realistically be on the list

[Anonymous]

You’ll need to develop a list with reaches, matches and safeties like everyone else. Pick something realistic for ED. Cornell might be within reach.

[Anonymous]

If in Virginia, JMU and maybe Virginia Tech would be good options. UVA probably out of reach, likely W&M too. UMCP might be option if scores high enough and not OOS.

That mediocre GPA is a killer. But JMU is terrific.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard from one admissions person (not an elite school) that they are very cautious with kids who have strong test scores but lower grades. She said it means the kid can do better than they are. She said they try to find out what is holding the kid back (lack of motivation? effort? distractions?) I am not accusing your child of any of those things. Just saying this person said they considered that combination riskier than the alternative (i.e. high grades, low test scores). Because the latter kids has figured out some formula for succeeding academically.

I thought this kid was in the top 25% of his/her private school class. And the top 15% are probably going to Ivies, so this is just a notch below. Seems like this is hardly cause for concern and colleges should be familiar with the grading profile of the Big 3 schools.

OP you just need to listen to the college counselor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard from one admissions person (not an elite school) that they are very cautious with kids who have strong test scores but lower grades. She said it means the kid can do better than they are. She said they try to find out what is holding the kid back (lack of motivation? effort? distractions?) I am not accusing your child of any of those things. Just saying this person said they considered that combination riskier than the alternative (i.e. high grades, low test scores). Because the latter kids has figured out some formula for succeeding academically.

I thought this kid was in the top 25% of his/her private school class. And the top 15% are probably going to Ivies, so this is just a notch below. Seems like this is hardly cause for concern and colleges should be familiar with the grading profile of the Big 3 schools.

OP you just need to listen to the college counselor.

I agree with the earlier poster that something doesn't add up here. I'm sure some college will be willing to take a risk, but there needs to be some good excuse for this poor performance.

Might be good to look through Colleges that Change Lives and find a school that could work for your child and meet his challenges.

Good luck op. Remember that there is a good fit for each child.

[Anonymous]

An A minus average at a Big 3 is hardly a “mediocre GPA.” If the courseload is mostly advanced/AP-level classes like Physics C, Calculus, etc (however the most challenging classes are designated at that particular school) then UVA and W&M are most definitely within reach.

OP, it may also be deceiving in how you calculate top 25% at a school that does not weight or calculate rank. Is that based solely on GPA? The kid with a 3.8 who took all easy classes might be considered by some to be ranked in a higher percentile than the kid with a 3.65 in the most challenging classes, but colleges won’t see it that way.

[Anonymous]

The answer is pretty clear, right? Either a good state flagship or a top 15 slac.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An A minus average at a Big 3 is hardly a “mediocre GPA.” If the courseload is mostly advanced/AP-level classes like Physics C, Calculus, etc (however the most challenging classes are designated at that particular school) then UVA and W&M are most definitely within reach.

OP, it may also be deceiving in how you calculate top 25% at a school that does not weight or calculate rank. Is that based solely on GPA? The kid with a 3.8 who took all easy classes might be considered by some to be ranked in a higher percentile than the kid with a 3.65 in the most challenging classes, but colleges won’t see it that way.

So drop all that money on a private school to be “within reach” of two state colleges that would have been within reach or sure things from any random public high school in VA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If in Virginia, JMU and maybe Virginia Tech would be good options. UVA probably out of reach, likely W&M too. UMCP might be option if scores high enough and not OOS.

That mediocre GPA is a killer. But JMU is terrific.

Nice try.

[Anonymous]

I would look at private schools with more holistic admissions. Agree with PP’s that the big state schools like University of Maryland, UVA, Penn State, etc. aren’t going to consider this kid too seriously because of the GPA - regardless of the fact that it’s pretty high for a selective private HS, they will just see the number. I also don’t think there’s any reason to settle for a less-selective regional SLAC. Full pay at a top SLAC can be a hook.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
An A minus average at a Big 3 is hardly a “mediocre GPA.” If the courseload is mostly advanced/AP-level classes like Physics C, Calculus, etc (however the most challenging classes are designated at that particular school) then UVA and W&M are most definitely within reach.

OP, it may also be deceiving in how you calculate top 25% at a school that does not weight or calculate rank. Is that based solely on GPA? The kid with a 3.8 who took all easy classes might be considered by some to be ranked in a higher percentile than the kid with a 3.65 in the most challenging classes, but colleges won’t see it that way.


So drop all that money on a private school to be “within reach” of two state colleges that would have been within reach or sure things from any random public high school in VA?

PP here. The point wasn't that UVA and W&M are the best DC could do, it was that the earlier poster who tried to say these were out of reach is completely nuts. If a kid is taking the most challenging classes at a big 3 and has an A minus average, that is not "poor performance" or "mediocre" grades. Anyone who says that and starts talking about schools like JMU has no idea what they are talking about. This kid is totally within range at sold schools like Tufts, Middlebury, Bowdoin, Wesleyan, Carleton, Haverford, Boston College, Colby, etc. Probably even good odds at Georgetown, Michigan, Emory, WUSTL, Rice. If in Virginia, UVA and W&M would likely be safeties, IF the 3.65 is in challenging classes.

[Anonymous]

If DC is willing to commit early decision, Penn or Cornell may be possibilities. With good recs, essays, and ECs, DC could probably get into 1-2 of the following: Northwestern, Duke, Chicago, Vanderbilt, Rice, Wash U, Emory, USC, Georgetown, Michigan, or any number of Top 10 SLACs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
An A minus average at a Big 3 is hardly a “mediocre GPA.” If the courseload is mostly advanced/AP-level classes like Physics C, Calculus, etc (however the most challenging classes are designated at that particular school) then UVA and W&M are most definitely within reach.

OP, it may also be deceiving in how you calculate top 25% at a school that does not weight or calculate rank. Is that based solely on GPA? The kid with a 3.8 who took all easy classes might be considered by some to be ranked in a higher percentile than the kid with a 3.65 in the most challenging classes, but colleges won’t see it that way.


So drop all that money on a private school to be “within reach” of two state colleges that would have been within reach or sure things from any random public high school in VA?

PP here. The point wasn't that UVA and W&M are the best DC could do, it was that the earlier poster who tried to say these were out of reach is completely nuts. If a kid is taking the most challenging classes at a big 3 and has an A minus average, that is not "poor performance" or "mediocre" grades. Anyone who says that and starts talking about schools like JMU has no idea what they are talking about. This kid is totally within range at sold schools like Tufts, Middlebury, Bowdoin, Wesleyan, Carleton, Haverford, Boston College, Colby, etc. Probably even good odds at Georgetown, Michigan, Emory, WUSTL, Rice. If in Virginia, UVA and W&M would likely be safeties, IF the 3.65 is in challenging classes.

Dream on. LOL

[Anonymous]

Not a dream. Based on having 3 kids go through this in the past 5 years, and seeing where they and their friends ended up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If DC is willing to commit early decision, Penn or Cornell may be possibilities. With good recs, essays, and ECs, DC could probably get into 1-2 of the following: Northwestern, Duke, Chicago, Vanderbilt, Rice, Wash U, Emory, USC, Georgetown, Michigan, or any number of Top 10 SLACs.

You're not getting into Penn, Chicago, Northwestern, or a few others with those grades. Big three or not, you need nearly all A grades. Same with schools like Williams and Swarthmore. Unless this kid has some hook, look further down the list. And there really would have to be some good reason for high scores and meh grades. Maybe some kind of personal distress that was being worked out? Otherwise, looks like a kid who coasts or has some more significant problems. Talk to your college counselor. But Penn ain't happening.

[Anonymous]

Tufts, Middlebury, Bowdoin are “solid” schools? Oh brother.