Tales of Hope...stories of kids getting into great schools with less than out of this world stats...

[Anonymous]

Maybe the answer is I should extinguish all hope.

But if you are the proud and lucky parent whose kid got into a great school (I'll leave it to you to define that) with less than out of this world stats (that, too, I leave to you to define), please share the story, and if you have any idea how it happened (athletic recruit, URM, great essay, unique EC, moving life story, legacy, etc.), share that too.

[Anonymous]

OP, my son graduates in June and a year ago I felt completely hopeless. If you listen to DCUM and neighborhood chatter, you'll be convinced your kid won't get in anywhere. It's completely not true. You need to really pay attention to schools out there that may not have the marquee name value, take lots of tours, etc. There truly is a school out there for everyone. Don't lose hope.

Best advice is to start populating the Common Application as soon as it's live. Spend the summer banging out the essays. Apply early action/rolling wherever possible, and the acceptances will start rolling in by November. You'll breathe a huge sigh of relief with that first acceptance!

[Anonymous]

Nephew got into every engineering school he applied to not because of grades or lots of APs (he took maybe 1-2 and grades/test scores above average but not stellar). It was because of his work experience with his uncle's wireless company and helping him at some high profile events that occur every 4 years and every certain holiday in Times Square. A great extracurricular helps.

DD got money despite having less than a 4.0 and not taking many APs (3-4) because she has her own business and is devoted to 1 extracurricular and had some family circumtances that made for compelling essays.

These kids also didn't shoot for the moon and apply where they were long shots. There are acceptances and money for 2nd tier schools if you are on the cusp of being a top tier candidate.

[Anonymous]

Good thread. Can people sharing please include specifics such as school (FCPS, TJ, or private school), ACT/SAT scores, GPA and number of APs? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Kid aimed for one of the top VA colleges, didn't get in, enrolled into a lesser VA school, excelled in academics and extracurriculars, and transferred to the dream school as a sophomore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid aimed for one of the top VA colleges, didn't get in, enrolled into a lesser VA school, excelled in academics and extracurriculars, and transferred to the dream school as a sophomore.

+1 I hear that transferring in as a sophomore is a good way to gain entry to an out of reach school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kid aimed for one of the top VA colleges, didn't get in, enrolled into a lesser VA school, excelled in academics and extracurriculars, and transferred to the dream school as a sophomore.

+1 I hear that transferring in as a sophomore is a good way to gain entry to an out of reach school.

It was when I was a kid and ever shall be - there are always a few spots for transfers and demonstrated ability in college means alot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid aimed for one of the top VA colleges, didn't get in, enrolled into a lesser VA school, excelled in academics and extracurriculars, and transferred to the dream school as a sophomore.

Stop thinking of schools as "lesser" -- wonderful opportunities and academic environments to be had at schools other than the most competitive ones.

[Anonymous]

Unless you're protected class or full pay (zero financial aid) it ain't happening. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kid aimed for one of the top VA colleges, didn't get in, enrolled into a lesser VA school, excelled in academics and extracurriculars, and transferred to the dream school as a sophomore.

Stop thinking of schools as "lesser" -- wonderful opportunities and academic environments to be had at schools other than the most competitive ones.

No argument here, but the transfer kid was much happier at the more competitive school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, my son graduates in June and a year ago I felt completely hopeless. If you listen to DCUM and neighborhood chatter, you'll be convinced your kid won't get in anywhere. It's completely not true. You need to really pay attention to schools out there that may not have the marquee name value, take lots of tours, etc. There truly is a school out there for everyone. Don't lose hope.

Best advice is to start populating the Common Application as soon as it's live. Spend the summer banging out the essays. Apply early action/rolling wherever possible, and the acceptances will start rolling in by November. You'll breathe a huge sigh of relief with that first acceptance!

NP here. I agree with your advice, but I asked on another thread what to do if your junior's grades have gone drastically downhill. Should she still apply early, or wait until regular decision when - hopefully - the grades are better? I am so stressed out about this. And to make matters worse, she is failing her math class and will have to retake over the summer. I truly feel like any hope at all has gone out the window.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid aimed for one of the top VA colleges, didn't get in, enrolled into a lesser VA school, excelled in academics and extracurriculars, and transferred to the dream school as a sophomore.

Interested in this path - could you tell us more? How does a college freshman have the opportunity to really excel (grades/extracurriculars) in time for March transfer deadlines?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you're protected class or full pay (zero financial aid) it ain't happening. Sorry.

It obviously didn't happen for your kid. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you're protected class or full pay (zero financial aid) it ain't happening. Sorry.

Don't worry, Trump will make it all better.

[Anonymous]

So does it help if we are full pay AND a protected class?
DS will have a 3.2 unweighted, no SAT yet; but with all honors and 5 AP from a FCPS. DH is a legacy Duke grad (MBA program), so would like DS to go there, but kid would be ok in UVA or JMU, which we have visited. We would be full pay.