So where are the 3.5W students getting in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All of these threads on students getting rejected from schools like Vanderbilt, Emory and other big names make me wonder where are the students getting in that have say a 3.5 weighted GPA and 1200 SAT? I have a younger highschooler and this will probably be where she falls.

SEC schools other than Vandy, UF and UGA; CTCL schools; Jesuit schools other than Georgetown and BC; High Point U, the life skillz university.

Don't waste your money on CTCL schools.

Please say more. Do you have children attending any of these schools?

I am not PP but have a child who attends a CTCL. He is having a fantastic experience (in terms of both the academics and the community). They tend to be very generous with financial aid also. The best feature of these schools is probably the close ties with faculty, who really value teaching and care about student success.

[Anonymous]

Muhlenberg.

[Anonymous]

My dcum-area suburban DS got in regular decision at JMU:

3.6 GPA
- did not submit SAT scores (only took once)
- some honors classes
- one sport, freshman - varsity

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All of these threads on students getting rejected from schools like Vanderbilt, Emory and other big names make me wonder where are the students getting in that have say a 3.5 weighted GPA and 1200 SAT? I have a younger highschooler and this will probably be where she falls.

SEC schools other than Vandy, UF and UGA; CTCL schools; Jesuit schools other than Georgetown and BC; High Point U, the life skillz university.

Don't waste your money on CTCL schools.

Please say more. Do you have children attending any of these schools?

No, I don't. One of my kids applied to a couple of them and she was high achieving and got merit money but went to a top 10-15 LAC instead. CTLC schools are more for underachievers with wealthy parents who tell themselves these schools are special when they're not. They typically have low graduation rates, etc.

So you don't really know anything about them, is what you are saying?

The CTCL do not have "low" graduation rates. Many of them have graduation rates that are quite a bit higher than the average for all private, non-profit colleges, which is 67% (that's a 6-year graduation rate, which is what is tracked). Yes, highly selective private colleges have higher graduation rates than most CTCL schools. At colleges that admit fewer than 25% of their applicants, the 6-year graduation rate is 90%. But that's exactly what you would expect for schools that strictly limit who they let in the door. There's a huge selection bias there.

I'll also add that few of the kids I've know who've gone to CTCL-type schools were likely candidates for a top 10-15 LAC. It's great that your kid had that option, but not everyone does. Where would you like kids who want a SLAC environment to go if they don't get into Amherst?

My own kid went to a CTCL school because he wanted a SLAC environment and he got a scholarship that brought the cost down to what it would have cost us to send them to our in-state public. Their college has a graduation rate that is similar to JMU's and better than CNU's, Mary Washington's, and VCU's, the public schools that were on the table. My kid was a stand-out at the college, which was great because the connections with professors led to all kinds of opportunities that probably wouldn't have been as easy to come by at bigger (or more selective) schools. Graduated in 4 years, received several honors and awards that look very nice on the resume, and is now working a well-paying job in a chosen field. That's special enough for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All of these threads on students getting rejected from schools like Vanderbilt, Emory and other big names make me wonder where are the students getting in that have say a 3.5 weighted GPA and 1200 SAT? I have a younger highschooler and this will probably be where she falls.

SEC schools other than Vandy, UF and UGA; CTCL schools; Jesuit schools other than Georgetown and BC; High Point U, the life skillz university.

Don't waste your money on CTCL schools.

Please say more. Do you have children attending any of these schools?

No, I don't. One of my kids applied to a couple of them and she was high achieving and got merit money but went to a top 10-15 LAC instead. CTLC schools are more for underachievers with wealthy parents who tell themselves these schools are special when they're not. They typically have low graduation rates, etc.

So you don't really know anything about them, is what you are saying?

The CTCL do not have "low" graduation rates. Many of them have graduation rates that are quite a bit higher than the average for all private, non-profit colleges, which is 67% (that's a 6-year graduation rate, which is what is tracked). Yes, highly selective private colleges have higher graduation rates than most CTCL schools. At colleges that admit fewer than 25% of their applicants, the 6-year graduation rate is 90%. But that's exactly what you would expect for schools that strictly limit who they let in the door. There's a huge selection bias there.

I'll also add that few of the kids I've know who've gone to CTCL-type schools were likely candidates for a top 10-15 LAC. It's great that your kid had that option, but not everyone does. Where would you like kids who want a SLAC environment to go if they don't get into Amherst?

My own kid went to a CTCL school because he wanted a SLAC environment and he got a scholarship that brought the cost down to what it would have cost us to send them to our in-state public. Their college has a graduation rate that is similar to JMU's and better than CNU's, Mary Washington's, and VCU's, the public schools that were on the table. My kid was a stand-out at the college, which was great because the connections with professors led to all kinds of opportunities that probably wouldn't have been as easy to come by at bigger (or more selective) schools. Graduated in 4 years, received several honors and awards that look very nice on the resume, and is now working a well-paying job in a chosen field. That's special enough for me.

What school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All of these threads on students getting rejected from schools like Vanderbilt, Emory and other big names make me wonder where are the students getting in that have say a 3.5 weighted GPA and 1200 SAT? I have a younger highschooler and this will probably be where she falls.

SEC schools other than Vandy, UF and UGA; CTCL schools; Jesuit schools other than Georgetown and BC; High Point U, the life skillz university.

Don't waste your money on CTCL schools.

Please say more. Do you have children attending any of these schools?

No, I don't. One of my kids applied to a couple of them and she was high achieving and got merit money but went to a top 10-15 LAC instead. CTLC schools are more for underachievers with wealthy parents who tell themselves these schools are special when they're not. They typically have low graduation rates, etc.

So you don't really know anything about them, is what you are saying?

The CTCL do not have "low" graduation rates. Many of them have graduation rates that are quite a bit higher than the average for all private, non-profit colleges, which is 67% (that's a 6-year graduation rate, which is what is tracked). Yes, highly selective private colleges have higher graduation rates than most CTCL schools. At colleges that admit fewer than 25% of their applicants, the 6-year graduation rate is 90%. But that's exactly what you would expect for schools that strictly limit who they let in the door. There's a huge selection bias there.

I'll also add that few of the kids I've know who've gone to CTCL-type schools were likely candidates for a top 10-15 LAC. It's great that your kid had that option, but not everyone does. Where would you like kids who want a SLAC environment to go if they don't get into Amherst?

My own kid went to a CTCL school because he wanted a SLAC environment and he got a scholarship that brought the cost down to what it would have cost us to send them to our in-state public. Their college has a graduation rate that is similar to JMU's and better than CNU's, Mary Washington's, and VCU's, the public schools that were on the table. My kid was a stand-out at the college, which was great because the connections with professors led to all kinds of opportunities that probably wouldn't have been as easy to come by at bigger (or more selective) schools. Graduated in 4 years, received several honors and awards that look very nice on the resume, and is now working a well-paying job in a chosen field. That's special enough for me.

What school?

I feel like I've given too much identifying information, but whatever. Clark.

[Anonymous]

My 3.5W DD with no test scores was accepted at Syracuse, Temple, St. Joe's, St. John's, Loyola CHI, Texas A&M. She did not get in Rutgers, which I thought was interesting, if accepted to Syracuse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All of these threads on students getting rejected from schools like Vanderbilt, Emory and other big names make me wonder where are the students getting in that have say a 3.5 weighted GPA and 1200 SAT? I have a younger highschooler and this will probably be where she falls.

SEC schools other than Vandy, UF and UGA; CTCL schools; Jesuit schools other than Georgetown and BC; High Point U, the life skillz university.

Don't waste your money on CTCL schools.

Please say more. Do you have children attending any of these schools?

No, I don't. One of my kids applied to a couple of them and she was high achieving and got merit money but went to a top 10-15 LAC instead. CTLC schools are more for underachievers with wealthy parents who tell themselves these schools are special when they're not. They typically have low graduation rates, etc.

So you don't really know anything about them, is what you are saying?

The CTCL do not have "low" graduation rates. Many of them have graduation rates that are quite a bit higher than the average for all private, non-profit colleges, which is 67% (that's a 6-year graduation rate, which is what is tracked). Yes, highly selective private colleges have higher graduation rates than most CTCL schools. At colleges that admit fewer than 25% of their applicants, the 6-year graduation rate is 90%. But that's exactly what you would expect for schools that strictly limit who they let in the door. There's a huge selection bias there.

I'll also add that few of the kids I've know who've gone to CTCL-type schools were likely candidates for a top 10-15 LAC. It's great that your kid had that option, but not everyone does. Where would you like kids who want a SLAC environment to go if they don't get into Amherst?

My own kid went to a CTCL school because he wanted a SLAC environment and he got a scholarship that brought the cost down to what it would have cost us to send them to our in-state public. Their college has a graduation rate that is similar to JMU's and better than CNU's, Mary Washington's, and VCU's, the public schools that were on the table. My kid was a stand-out at the college, which was great because the connections with professors led to all kinds of opportunities that probably wouldn't have been as easy to come by at bigger (or more selective) schools. Graduated in 4 years, received several honors and awards that look very nice on the resume, and is now working a well-paying job in a chosen field. That's special enough for me.

What school?

I feel like I've given too much identifying information, but whatever. Clark.

PP, thanks for sharing your kid's story. While not all of the snobs on DCUM will agree, there is much to be said for being a big fish in a small pond and ultimately, having a positive college experience is more likely to bring future success that the ranking of the school. Kudos to your child.

[Anonymous]

You have literally thousands of options. In addition to the MD/VA schools mentioned previously, I would venture to guess any "directional" schools in MIdwest, flagships in the Plains and any number of privates you may not have heard of.

[Anonymous]

Penn State

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 3.5W DD with no test scores was accepted at Syracuse, Temple, St. Joe's, St. John's, Loyola CHI, Texas A&M. She did not get in Rutgers, which I thought was interesting, if accepted to Syracuse.

Those are great schools -- congrats!

As for Rutgers, I think they get a lot of really high-stats applicants from all over New Jersey. Some of those NY suburban districts are almost as cutthroat as DC suburbs!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All of these threads on students getting rejected from schools like Vanderbilt, Emory and other big names make me wonder where are the students getting in that have say a 3.5 weighted GPA and 1200 SAT? I have a younger highschooler and this will probably be where she falls.

SEC schools other than Vandy, UF and UGA; CTCL schools; Jesuit schools other than Georgetown and BC; High Point U, the life skillz university.

Don't waste your money on CTCL schools.

Please say more. Do you have children attending any of these schools?

No, I don't. One of my kids applied to a couple of them and she was high achieving and got merit money but went to a top 10-15 LAC instead. CTLC schools are more for underachievers with wealthy parents who tell themselves these schools are special when they're not. They typically have low graduation rates, etc.

So you don't really know anything about them, is what you are saying?

The CTCL do not have "low" graduation rates. Many of them have graduation rates that are quite a bit higher than the average for all private, non-profit colleges, which is 67% (that's a 6-year graduation rate, which is what is tracked). Yes, highly selective private colleges have higher graduation rates than most CTCL schools. At colleges that admit fewer than 25% of their applicants, the 6-year graduation rate is 90%. But that's exactly what you would expect for schools that strictly limit who they let in the door. There's a huge selection bias there.

I'll also add that few of the kids I've know who've gone to CTCL-type schools were likely candidates for a top 10-15 LAC. It's great that your kid had that option, but not everyone does. Where would you like kids who want a SLAC environment to go if they don't get into Amherst?

My own kid went to a CTCL school because he wanted a SLAC environment and he got a scholarship that brought the cost down to what it would have cost us to send them to our in-state public. Their college has a graduation rate that is similar to JMU's and better than CNU's, Mary Washington's, and VCU's, the public schools that were on the table. My kid was a stand-out at the college, which was great because the connections with professors led to all kinds of opportunities that probably wouldn't have been as easy to come by at bigger (or more selective) schools. Graduated in 4 years, received several honors and awards that look very nice on the resume, and is now working a well-paying job in a chosen field. That's special enough for me.

What school?

I feel like I've given too much identifying information, but whatever. Clark.

I should add: My kid had a 4.0 WGPA, so I wouldn't necessarily expect merit aid with a 3.5W. But I really don't know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 3.5W DD with no test scores was accepted at Syracuse, Temple, St. Joe's, St. John's, Loyola CHI, Texas A&M. She did not get in Rutgers, which I thought was interesting, if accepted to Syracuse.

My 3.5 DD wants some similar bigger schools like Syracuse and A&M - add in Georgia, Clemson, Auburn- and will be full pay, probably willing to apply ED - but that does not appear to help at larger schools just SLACS? Even though OOS full pay might help the GPA bar is higher?

[Anonymous]

My kid who got into a T30 school but chose to attend a CTCL instead. She was drawn to the sense of community, including the high caliber mentoring offered by professors.

It has worked out really well for her. So you can listen to those with kids who actually went to a CTCL (I rarely read negative posts from families with actual experience) or listen to the vocal minority on DCUM who have a chip on their shoulders about these schools...despite having ZERO firsthand experience with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid who got into a T30 school but chose to attend a CTCL instead. She was drawn to the sense of community, including the high caliber mentoring offered by professors.

It has worked out really well for her. So you can listen to those with kids who actually went to a CTCL (I rarely read negative posts from families with actual experience) or listen to the vocal minority on DCUM who have a chip on their shoulders about these schools...despite having ZERO firsthand experience with them.

We are seriously considering CTLC mind sharing school name?