It is so hard this year, McLean HS boy 4.6 GPA got rejected from UVA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yield protection. They make the crappy decision he likely would not attend...which given that out of state and private schools can be from $60-80K for donut hole families is really crappy.

More likely there was some other reason. Shit essays, most likely.

What are the chances a kid with great stats and achievements writes an essay SO terrible it negates the more important factors??? None.

Uh a kid with great stats might have horrible social skills & a complete lack of self-awareness. That could be obvious in an essay.

Or a lack of empathy, or simple lack of passion. Schools don't just want high-performing kids but kids who perform well because they care deeply about their interests.

These are true, no doubt. But it doesn't explain the trend this year where SO MANY high stats kids landed lower than would have been expected based on (recent!) history from their own high schools.

Colleges don’t only want kids from wealthy suburban high schools anymore.

Agreed completely. Very apparent this year - a marked shift. Yet many on DCUM fail to believe it (choosing instead to point fingers or find fault). Heed the warning flares people....be prepared.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yield protection. They make the crappy decision he likely would not attend...which given that out of state and private schools can be from $60-80K for donut hole families is really crappy.

More likely there was some other reason. Shit essays, most likely.

What are the chances a kid with great stats and achievements writes an essay SO terrible it negates the more important factors??? None.

Uh a kid with great stats might have horrible social skills & a complete lack of self-awareness. That could be obvious in an essay.

Or a lack of empathy, or simple lack of passion. Schools don't just want high-performing kids but kids who perform well because they care deeply about their interests.

This is the dumbest BS I've ever heard! So why the F should a college care why a kid performs as long as he does?! The 4.6 kid shows that he can perform through his grades (and there aren't enough fufu APs so he must have taken some tough ones). What in the application led the idiot AO to think this kid doesn't have 'passion'? passion for what? Or that the kid lacks empathy?

The kid is likely Asian or White and this is a clear case of yield protection (I know, they don't do yield protection You idiots can believe that).

Plenty of schools DO care about what sort of human being you are....

A few hundred words in an essay that you can simply make up a story doesn't measure the kind of person you are.

If you eff-up in that essay and come across as an *ss - it does! (whether that be full fledged *ass or a tone that leaves one to wonder and then think...why did they choose this as what to tell us)

I bet that all those that come across as *sses in your scenario are asian or white. Just an excuse to not let high achieving students in because of equity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yield protection. They make the crappy decision he likely would not attend...which given that out of state and private schools can be from $60-80K for donut hole families is really crappy.

More likely there was some other reason. Shit essays, most likely.

What are the chances a kid with great stats and achievements writes an essay SO terrible it negates the more important factors??? None.

Uh a kid with great stats might have horrible social skills & a complete lack of self-awareness. That could be obvious in an essay.

Or a lack of empathy, or simple lack of passion. Schools don't just want high-performing kids but kids who perform well because they care deeply about their interests.

These are true, no doubt. But it doesn't explain the trend this year where SO MANY high stats kids landed lower than would have been expected based on (recent!) history from their own high schools.

DP. By "SO MANY," are you referring to the posters here on DCUM? Who no doubt, repeat post constantly to retell their sob stories? Because at our highly regarded FCPS high school, the high stats kids - white and Asian - most definitely got into VT and UVA. I guess you can take a handful of anecdotes on an anonymous message board and extrapolate from that that "SO MANY" high stats kids are being shut out. It's really just that your own kid was and you are not going to shut up about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yield protection. They make the crappy decision he likely would not attend...which given that out of state and private schools can be from $60-80K for donut hole families is really crappy.

More likely there was some other reason. Shit essays, most likely.

What are the chances a kid with great stats and achievements writes an essay SO terrible it negates the more important factors??? None.

Uh a kid with great stats might have horrible social skills & a complete lack of self-awareness. That could be obvious in an essay.

Or a lack of empathy, or simple lack of passion. Schools don't just want high-performing kids but kids who perform well because they care deeply about their interests.

This is the dumbest BS I've ever heard! So why the F should a college care why a kid performs as long as he does?! The 4.6 kid shows that he can perform through his grades (and there aren't enough fufu APs so he must have taken some tough ones). What in the application led the idiot AO to think this kid doesn't have 'passion'? passion for what? Or that the kid lacks empathy?

The kid is likely Asian or White and this is a clear case of yield protection (I know, they don't do yield protection You idiots can believe that).

Plenty of schools DO care about what sort of human being you are....

A few hundred words in an essay that you can simply make up a story doesn't measure the kind of person you are.

If you eff-up in that essay and come across as an *ss - it does! (whether that be full fledged *ass or a tone that leaves one to wonder and then think...why did they choose this as what to tell us)

I bet that all those that come across as *sses in your scenario are asian or white. Just an excuse to not let high achieving students in because of equity.

PP you replied to - don't agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yield protection. They make the crappy decision he likely would not attend...which given that out of state and private schools can be from $60-80K for donut hole families is really crappy.

More likely there was some other reason. Shit essays, most likely.

What are the chances a kid with great stats and achievements writes an essay SO terrible it negates the more important factors??? None.

Uh a kid with great stats might have horrible social skills & a complete lack of self-awareness. That could be obvious in an essay.

Or a lack of empathy, or simple lack of passion. Schools don't just want high-performing kids but kids who perform well because they care deeply about their interests.

These are true, no doubt. But it doesn't explain the trend this year where SO MANY high stats kids landed lower than would have been expected based on (recent!) history from their own high schools.

DP. By "SO MANY," are you referring to the posters here on DCUM? Who no doubt, repeat post constantly to retell their sob stories? Because at our highly regarded FCPS high school, the high stats kids - white and Asian - most definitely got into VT and UVA. I guess you can take a handful of anecdotes on an anonymous message board and extrapolate from that that "SO MANY" high stats kids are being shut out. It's really just that your own kid was and you are not going to shut up about it.

No - by SO MANY I mean kids I know in DMV top private schools. We know families across many of these schools and the story is the same. It's not just about specific kids at these schools, it's about the senior class as a group at those schools. Thanks for your kindness, though. It's very endearing. And congrats to your FCPS kid and friends. That is (genuinely) nice to hear. I do know that not everyone was shut out - but even those we know who were NOT shut out, had to wait for RD and are fully aware that most of their classmates didn't fare as well and are surprised (as they have been in school/class with them and know they are strong candidates). Take care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yield protection. They make the crappy decision he likely would not attend...which given that out of state and private schools can be from $60-80K for donut hole families is really crappy.

More likely there was some other reason. Shit essays, most likely.

What are the chances a kid with great stats and achievements writes an essay SO terrible it negates the more important factors??? None.

Uh a kid with great stats might have horrible social skills & a complete lack of self-awareness. That could be obvious in an essay.

Or a lack of empathy, or simple lack of passion. Schools don't just want high-performing kids but kids who perform well because they care deeply about their interests.

This is the dumbest BS I've ever heard! So why the F should a college care why a kid performs as long as he does?! The 4.6 kid shows that he can perform through his grades (and there aren't enough fufu APs so he must have taken some tough ones). What in the application led the idiot AO to think this kid doesn't have 'passion'? passion for what? Or that the kid lacks empathy?

The kid is likely Asian or White and this is a clear case of yield protection (I know, they don't do yield protection You idiots can believe that).

Plenty of schools DO care about what sort of human being you are....

But teacher recommendations can be telling.

A few hundred words in an essay that you can simply make up a story doesn't measure the kind of person you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yield protection. They make the crappy decision he likely would not attend...which given that out of state and private schools can be from $60-80K for donut hole families is really crappy.

More likely there was some other reason. Shit essays, most likely.

What are the chances a kid with great stats and achievements writes an essay SO terrible it negates the more important factors??? None.

Uh a kid with great stats might have horrible social skills & a complete lack of self-awareness. That could be obvious in an essay.

Or a lack of empathy, or simple lack of passion. Schools don't just want high-performing kids but kids who perform well because they care deeply about their interests.

These are true, no doubt. But it doesn't explain the trend this year where SO MANY high stats kids landed lower than would have been expected based on (recent!) history from their own high schools.

Something very unusual is happening; that much is clear.

AOs are secretive; we all know that.

Therefore we are left to speculate.

My speculation is:

- the AOs know the Supreme Court will soon invalidate race-based college admissions, so they are intentionally admitting as many URMs this year as they possibly can (while they can).

At the same time, the AOs are intentionally excluding as many white / Asian cis-gender males as they can.

In any event, we are not going to get any proof out of the AOs themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yield protection. They make the crappy decision he likely would not attend...which given that out of state and private schools can be from $60-80K for donut hole families is really crappy.

More likely there was some other reason. Shit essays, most likely.

What are the chances a kid with great stats and achievements writes an essay SO terrible it negates the more important factors??? None.

Uh a kid with great stats might have horrible social skills & a complete lack of self-awareness. That could be obvious in an essay.

Or a lack of empathy, or simple lack of passion. Schools don't just want high-performing kids but kids who perform well because they care deeply about their interests.

These are true, no doubt. But it doesn't explain the trend this year where SO MANY high stats kids landed lower than would have been expected based on (recent!) history from their own high schools.

Something very unusual is happening; that much is clear.

AOs are secretive; we all know that.

Therefore we are left to speculate.

My speculation is:

- the AOs know the Supreme Court will soon invalidate race-based college admissions, so they are intentionally admitting as many URMs this year as they possibly can (while they can).

At the same time, the AOs are intentionally excluding as many white / Asian cis-gender males as they can.

In any event, we are not going to get any proof out of the AOs themselves.

Huh. Meanwhile, white and Asian males ("cis-gender ) are being accepted left and right. Interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yield protection. They make the crappy decision he likely would not attend...which given that out of state and private schools can be from $60-80K for donut hole families is really crappy.

More likely there was some other reason. Shit essays, most likely.

What are the chances a kid with great stats and achievements writes an essay SO terrible it negates the more important factors??? None.

Uh a kid with great stats might have horrible social skills & a complete lack of self-awareness. That could be obvious in an essay.

Or a lack of empathy, or simple lack of passion. Schools don't just want high-performing kids but kids who perform well because they care deeply about their interests.

This is the dumbest BS I've ever heard! So why the F should a college care why a kid performs as long as he does?! The 4.6 kid shows that he can perform through his grades (and there aren't enough fufu APs so he must have taken some tough ones). What in the application led the idiot AO to think this kid doesn't have 'passion'? passion for what? Or that the kid lacks empathy?

The kid is likely Asian or White and this is a clear case of yield protection (I know, they don't do yield protection You idiots can believe that).

Plenty of schools DO care about what sort of human being you are....

Awesome! Would love to hear about how they determine that? Would be great if these fools can be forced to share on demand (for a fee of course) how an application was reviewed, all the notes associated with it, etc. so they can decide if they were assessed fairly. I bet that there's nothing fancy going on here. Most of these AOs are underpaid temps and they likely don't care enough to delve into the finer aspects of humanity. Don't kid yourself..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yield protection. They make the crappy decision he likely would not attend...which given that out of state and private schools can be from $60-80K for donut hole families is really crappy.

More likely there was some other reason. Shit essays, most likely.

What are the chances a kid with great stats and achievements writes an essay SO terrible it negates the more important factors??? None.

Uh a kid with great stats might have horrible social skills & a complete lack of self-awareness. That could be obvious in an essay.

Or a lack of empathy, or simple lack of passion. Schools don't just want high-performing kids but kids who perform well because they care deeply about their interests.

This is the dumbest BS I've ever heard! So why the F should a college care why a kid performs as long as he does?! The 4.6 kid shows that he can perform through his grades (and there aren't enough fufu APs so he must have taken some tough ones). What in the application led the idiot AO to think this kid doesn't have 'passion'? passion for what? Or that the kid lacks empathy?

The kid is likely Asian or White and this is a clear case of yield protection (I know, they don't do yield protection You idiots can believe that).

Plenty of schools DO care about what sort of human being you are....

Awesome! Would love to hear about how they determine that? Would be great if these fools can be forced to share on demand (for a fee of course) how an application was reviewed, all the notes associated with it, etc. so they can decide if they were assessed fairly. I bet that there's nothing fancy going on here. Most of these AOs are underpaid temps and they likely don't care enough to delve into the finer aspects of humanity. Don't kid yourself..

Know how I know you don't know any AOs and have never had a substantive conversation with one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yield protection. They make the crappy decision he likely would not attend...which given that out of state and private schools can be from $60-80K for donut hole families is really crappy.

More likely there was some other reason. Shit essays, most likely.

What are the chances a kid with great stats and achievements writes an essay SO terrible it negates the more important factors??? None.

Uh a kid with great stats might have horrible social skills & a complete lack of self-awareness. That could be obvious in an essay.

Or a lack of empathy, or simple lack of passion. Schools don't just want high-performing kids but kids who perform well because they care deeply about their interests.

These are true, no doubt. But it doesn't explain the trend this year where SO MANY high stats kids landed lower than would have been expected based on (recent!) history from their own high schools.

Colleges don’t only want kids from wealthy suburban high schools anymore.

Agreed completely. Very apparent this year - a marked shift. Yet many on DCUM fail to believe it (choosing instead to point fingers or find fault). Heed the warning flares people....be prepared.

The Instagram College Decisions pages from these high schools tell a different story.

[Anonymous]

Who got into UVA in the ED round at my DC’s majority-minority fcps high school? 10 kids. Mostly UMC white girls, and one non-FARMS URM student. The admitted boys are also UMC white kids. At least at my kid’s school, not much of an advantage to being URM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s amazing to me that a parent and readers see 4.6 and yet nobody is asking “ in what?”

The classes matter people. You can’t just say I had a 4.6 and whine about it and don’t know mention the classes on the transcript over 4 years.

My kids go to McLean HS and you CANNOT reach a 4.6 without taking as many AP classes as you can fit into your schedule. That means most of your core classes have to be APs. Sure there is some leeway so that you can take AP Envir Sci instead of AP Chem but you cannot skip out on many of the hard APs in your core classes and reach a gpa as high as 4.6. With a gpa of 4.6, you have to assume the rigor is there.

So 4 years of rigor and intense focus are there, on the record. And yet:

- some posters are theorizing the student was completely clueless on the essay? He had no idea what his dream university might value in an essay??

Puh-leeze! That makes no sense whatsoever.

Yield protection makes perfect sense here.

[Anonymous]

I have UMC Asian boys in McLean. They are not applying to college yet but their friends all seem like high stat kids. They all probably sound similar having good grades with rigorous course load. Some kids have better extracurricular activities than others. I worry about quality of recommendations. I think private school have a definite edge on counselors and teachers who are probably pressured to write letters of recommendations to get students into top schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who got into UVA in the ED round at my DC’s majority-minority fcps high school? 10 kids. Mostly UMC white girls, and one non-FARMS URM student. The admitted boys are also UMC white kids. At least at my kid’s school, not much of an advantage to being URM.

Are the URM kids applying to UVA?