| PP again. Also, it looks like Tech will take lower test scores than peer universities if the student has a stellar, demanding academic record. Considering how strong the engineering is, and that the business program seems to be getting a stronger and stronger rep, and all of the research in science, they seem to be able to flex slightly on the test scores for hardworking, focus, committed students. That could be part of “holistic” admission. Once upon a time, that’s how U.Penn was. They didn’t have the highest test scores but they had driven students. (Now it’s mostly both.) Since Tech draws a generally strong applicant pool, maybe they are reconfiguring acceptances to those who want to be there while trying to shed the: Why do they have such a high admit rate? Question/criticism. Sorry write too much. |
The amount of funding that the General Assembly sends to the state universities has been steadily declining. Your taxes aren't going down, but the amount devoted to higher education is. The universities have a huge gap to fill between their budget and what they get from the state. |
I, at least, am happy that OOS families are helping fund my kid's education. |
And if that full-pay OOS kid brings grades and test scores that improve the school and its reputation, and possibly decides to stay in VA for a career, as a taxpayer that make me happy. |
The data doesn't back this up at all. People are really jumping to conclusions without any significant evidence. |
| My DD came home last night and told me that many high performing kids at her top rated FCPS high school were wait listed for VT. My DS is at VT and he had a 3.8gpa (weighted) and 28 ACT score. I think his essay (which I will say was excellent) got him in. |
Do you mind posting some stats PP? |
| OOS kids make a university more interesting and desirable as a destination. The uniformity if student body is the only drawback I see in attending a VA state school. |
I think admissions standards are just tougher this year. What was a solid "in" last year, is not the case this year. Somehow everyone has a 4.1 GPA and 96th percentile SATs. It's unreal. |
| I hope colleges don't put too much weight on these essays. As I wonder how many had professional college coaches "edit" them or parents just about write them. |
I agree. If a kid is a gifted writer that can be shown through their grades in English/writing classes and also in awards won over time. But one essay submitted with a college app....eh, I don't know about that. A kid that has a team of professionals "editing" their writing and coaching them on what colleges want to hear....that does seem like an unfair advantage. Yet, enough of the competition does this, that I can see how parents may feel as though they have to help their kids go this route. That said, there is a limit to how much weight admissions is going to give an essay like that. A submitted with meh grades, lackluster rigor and blah test scores probably won't be enough. But who knows. Seems like a bit of a Hail Mary attempt to me. |
I heard nc state is getting tough to get in. |
| Well, this is my personal experience. A lot of our Asian (Korean) friends were denied from VT and their stats were a lot higher then 3.2 GPA and 26 ACT. |
No one is jumping to conclusions. It’s a budgeting method to increase the tuition of OOS students and increase the percentage acceptance rate of OOS to offset increased costs or raise more money. Many states do this. Virginia does NOT have a cap on the number or percentage of OOS students a state university can accept, the universities themselves set their own numbers, so it fluctuates from year to year. More people live in Virginia and those people have children who graduate high school and want to go to an in state school and the demand has increased substantially. Earlier this year UVA agreed to allocate about 200 more spots for instate students, but it isn’t enough. Look at NC. By law each incoming freshman class must be at least 82% in state. The state will not budge and their government has publically stated it will not change OOS ratios to balance their education budget. Their priority is to their own in state students. I wish Virginia would place a similar priority on its citizens. You’re following yourself if you think money isn’t the issue. Several bills have been introduced to get the GA to act on it, but nothing passes. http://www.vagazette.com/news/va-vg-state-adm-guidelines-1116-20161116-story.html |
Truth be told, it isn't just Asian kids being rejected with those stats. |