VA in-state options for 3.4 u/w (3.8 w) GPA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What VA in-state options are considered safeties vs. reaches for 3.4 unweighted/3.8 weighted GPA with PSAT score 720 verbal and 670 math? (no hooks, no sports, ec is theatre)

tech/jmu are fairly likely.

I don't know about JMU, but I would say Tech is very unlikely with that GPA.

70% acceptance rate for VT, they're not that selective. Unless you want to major in engineering.

The acceptance rate means nothing. Have you seen how high the average GPAs and SAT scores are? There are schools in Virginia with lower acceptance rates and much lower GPAs and scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What VA in-state options are considered safeties vs. reaches for 3.4 unweighted/3.8 weighted GPA with PSAT score 720 verbal and 670 math? (no hooks, no sports, ec is theatre)

tech/jmu are fairly likely.

I don't know about JMU, but I would say Tech is very unlikely with that GPA.

70% acceptance rate for VT, they're not that selective. Unless you want to major in engineering.

The acceptance rate means nothing. Have you seen how high the average GPAs and SAT scores are? There are schools in Virginia with lower acceptance rates and much lower GPAs and scores.

Actually I was looking at VTech this morning (new poster) and they specifically state that they don't have score requirements. Its not very competitive at all. For transfers they ask for something like a 2.5

So I think this OP's kid is WAY too good for VTech, personally.

[Anonymous]

If your HS uses Naviance, compile a list of all VA colleges & use the College Compare tool. Looking at our HS Naviance statistics over the past 5 years, your child's PSAT score is ABOVE the average accepted student EXCEPT @ UVA & W&M. Your child's weighted GPA is below the average listed @ 7 of the 15 VA public colleges (CNU, GMU, JMU, UVA, VMI, VT, W&M). Our HS only shows weighted GPA on the transcript & report cards -- I *think* VA public colleges look @ weighted GPA. BTW ... my child (no hooks/sports & EC=band) was accepted into 7 of the 8 colleges he applied to (IS & OOS) and his weighted GPA was BELOW the average @ all but one.

[Anonymous]

VA Tech Common Data Set 2015-16:

SAT (25/75) M 560/670, CR 540/640, W 530/630

76% had 3.75 and above

39% in top 10% of class

*Unless OP's kid is looking at the engineering school which typically on the higher end of these stats, I'd say VT is a match.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your HS uses Naviance, compile a list of all VA colleges & use the College Compare tool. Looking at our HS Naviance statistics over the past 5 years, your child's PSAT score is ABOVE the average accepted student EXCEPT @ UVA & W&M. Your child's weighted GPA is below the average listed @ 7 of the 15 VA public colleges (CNU, GMU, JMU, UVA, VMI, VT, W&M). Our HS only shows weighted GPA on the transcript & report cards -- I *think* VA public colleges look @ weighted GPA. BTW ... my child (no hooks/sports & EC=band) was accepted into 7 of the 8 colleges he applied to (IS & OOS) and his weighted GPA was BELOW the average @ all but one.

That's an interesting note about your DC's acceptances with regards to published GPA averages. Can you list which schools those were?

[Anonymous]

^Appalachian State, Christopher Newport, James Madison-deferred, Ohio, Old Dominion, Rhode Island, South Carolina, West Virginia. HS counselor said SC & JMU were reaches & honestly we were VERY surprised child was accepted @ all. Child has no hooks & we're full pay (child received merit $ @ 4 of 8). BUT, child's SAT & ACT scores were WITHIN 50% range, so the colleges MAY have looked past GPA in favor of these statistics ??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^Appalachian State, Christopher Newport, James Madison-deferred, Ohio, Old Dominion, Rhode Island, South Carolina, West Virginia. HS counselor said SC & JMU were reaches & honestly we were VERY surprised child was accepted @ all. Child has no hooks & we're full pay (child received merit $ @ 4 of 8). BUT, child's SAT & ACT scores were WITHIN 50% range, so the colleges MAY have looked past GPA in favor of these statistics ??

Ah, thanks. Very helpful!!

[Anonymous]

VA Tech Common Data Set 2015-16:

SAT (25/75) M 560/670, CR 540/640, W 530/630

76% had 3.75 and above

39% in top 10% of class

*Unless OP's kid is looking at the engineering school which typically on the higher end of these stats, I'd say VT is a match.

The CDS for VT really doesn't apply to Northern VA high schools where the stats needed for acceptance are higher. I would say a 3.8 weighted would be the bare minimum, but the average accepted from my kids' HS is a 4.0. My DC had a weighted 3.4 and didn't even bother applying to VT, but got into schools like University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and Indiana University, Bloomington, which are similarly ranked (DC's ACT was in top 25% for those schools).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

VA Tech Common Data Set 2015-16:

SAT (25/75) M 560/670, CR 540/640, W 530/630

76% had 3.75 and above

39% in top 10% of class

*Unless OP's kid is looking at the engineering school which typically on the higher end of these stats, I'd say VT is a match.

The CDS for VT really doesn't apply to Northern VA high schools where the stats needed for acceptance are higher. I would say a 3.8 weighted would be the bare minimum, but the average accepted from my kids' HS is a 4.0. My DC had a weighted 3.4 and didn't even bother applying to VT, but got into schools like University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and Indiana University, Bloomington, which are similarly ranked (DC's ACT was in top 25% for those schools). Yeah, but you pay out of state tuition at those schools for a comparable education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

VA Tech Common Data Set 2015-16:

SAT (25/75) M 560/670, CR 540/640, W 530/630

76% had 3.75 and above

39% in top 10% of class

*Unless OP's kid is looking at the engineering school which typically on the higher end of these stats, I'd say VT is a match.

The CDS for VT really doesn't apply to Northern VA high schools where the stats needed for acceptance are higher. I would say a 3.8 weighted would be the bare minimum, but the average accepted from my kids' HS is a 4.0. My DC had a weighted 3.4 and didn't even bother applying to VT, but got into schools like University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and Indiana University, Bloomington, which are similarly ranked (DC's ACT was in top 25% for those schools).

That's too bad, you should have encouraged your kid to apply. Acceptance rates mean nothing. Freshman profile for Class of 2020:

Number of freshman applicants: 25,263
Number offered admission: 17,540
Number accepting the offers of admission: 6,098
Percentage of the Class of 2019 accepting under the Early Decision Plan: 18%
Number of valedictorians and salutatorians in the freshman class: 157
Number of freshmen who are participating in the Corps of Cadets: 374
Number of freshmen who are legacies (legacy = parent, grandparent, sibling): 1,742
Number of high schools represented in the freshman class: 1,328

SAT test score range of students offered admission: 810-1600 (Critical reading and Math)
ACT test score range of students offered admission: 17-36

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I'd say that GMU and MWC are reaches with a 3.4 UW. Longwood, CNU (may also be a reach), JMU, VT.

Huh?

OP, depending on major, she should be able to get into any school in VA except maybe UVA and W&M.

My DD graduated from an FCPS HS last year. The school doesn't even report an u/w GPA and we found that many colleges just use the weighted GPA "as is" for admission and scholarship consideration (this is confirmed in the "from the counselor" notes on Naviance for many schools). Assuming that your HS is the same, use the 3.8 when considering her chances for admission at the various VA publics, not the 3.4. Heck, my kid got into much better schools than GMU, MWC, Longwood and CNU with a WEIGHTED 3.4. This is DCUM and a lot of posters think a GPA under 4.5 is a sure sign of failure in life.

Not true. Go to college confidential and read the posts of those students who didn't get into VA universities EA. Three of my DD's friends who really wanted GMU didn't get into it and it was their first choice. The international students are driving up the stats, especially on ED (Tech) and EA (most of the other VA schools). You need to be a superstar to get into UVA and William & Mary. Va Tech is difficult if you want engineering. My DS went to an open house for engineering - the stats presented showed an average 4.0 for incoming engineers. I have one child who got into UVA. 4.5 GPA. Perfect ACT scores. Eagle Scout. etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suggest you look at the current 4 year grad rates. Not good. Most kids don't turn into better students at college ... they're exposed, they get to drink, they can skip class. A 3.4 gpa is a classic 5-6 year bachelor kid.

So they take 5 or 6 years. What's the big deal in the whole scheme of things? I took 6 years to finish undergrad, then went to law school. I'm currently working as a gov't attorney. Those extra years were a blast - more exciting than what I'm going now!

Money! If you are comparing $25K at a VA state school versus $72 inclusive for another, you are looking at a difference of $45K a year in after tax dollars x 5 or 6 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I suggest you look at the current 4 year grad rates. Not good. Most kids don't turn into better students at college ... they're exposed, they get to drink, they can skip class. A 3.4 gpa is a classic 5-6 year bachelor kid.

Ridiculous. My GPA was lower than that and I not only graduated on time, but got a Masters degree after. Many of my friends were the same way...they hit their stride in college and became even better students.

Agreed. I don't know that I had a 3.0 out of HS (I may have, but it was close). I went to a state school in PA and graduated in 4 years. Students do the same thing today.

Some schools offer a sizeable discount to out of state students who graduate HS with at least a 3.0. To keep it you have to maintain at least a 2.5 in college.

A student with a 3.4 isn't going to struggle.

Neither of you have a clue how college admissions have changed. Instead of a percentage of U.S. high school grads going on to college, now it is expected that everyone will go and that everyone will get a four year degree. That, combined with the influx on international students, especially from China and India, have pushed acceptance numbers and stats. to impossible levels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What VA in-state options are considered safeties vs. reaches for 3.4 unweighted/3.8 weighted GPA with PSAT score 720 verbal and 670 math? (no hooks, no sports, ec is theatre)

tech/jmu are fairly likely.

I don't know about JMU, but I would say Tech is very unlikely with that GPA.

70% acceptance rate for VT, they're not that selective. Unless you want to major in engineering.

That's because the school is self-selecting because it is a tech school. The type of student who applies to william & Mary is not going to apply to VA Tech. For engineering you need an average GPA of 4.0. Last year's average GPA for all students was 3.65.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What VA in-state options are considered safeties vs. reaches for 3.4 unweighted/3.8 weighted GPA with PSAT score 720 verbal and 670 math? (no hooks, no sports, ec is theatre)

tech/jmu are fairly likely.

I don't know about JMU, but I would say Tech is very unlikely with that GPA.

70% acceptance rate for VT, they're not that selective. Unless you want to major in engineering.

That's because the school is self-selecting because it is a tech school. The type of student who applies to william & Mary is not going to apply to VA Tech. For engineering you need an average GPA of 4.0. Last year's average GPA for all students was 3.65.

That's weighted right? It's pretty competitive for engineering, so-so for the rest of the majors.