Our Current Situation - Not thrilled

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You people crapping on the OP are off base IMO. Let’s be honest; this kid had top 1% GPA, top 1% SAT scores and all the rest of the package. Schools like Perdue and CU aren’t swimming in kids like this. It’s completely reasonable to be upset that someone with a resume like this isn’t being immediately accepted into the schools mentioned.

OP didn't mention any extracurriculars. Maybe her child is a terrible writer and the essays were bad. Maybe her child is not a nice person and the recommendations were terrible. Who knows?

“Attends specialized engineering courses through CC and Magnet program
Eagle Scout with lots of leadership positions and projects through the scouting program
Lots of EC focused on computer science that he does because he loves them and does totally on his own (has website blog with details of all projects that is very well written)
Community service since 9th grade (even through covid) at same organization - has many hours ”

No ECs?

[Anonymous]

Hang in there, OP. Your kid is well in range for the remaining schools. A deferral at Purdue is probably yield protection. If your son loves the school he should find ways to demonstrate his interest there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You people crapping on the OP are off base IMO. Let’s be honest; this kid had top 1% GPA, top 1% SAT scores and all the rest of the package. Schools like Perdue and CU aren’t swimming in kids like this. It’s completely reasonable to be upset that someone with a resume like this isn’t being immediately accepted into the schools mentioned.

The top kids at a lot of schools apply to Purdue. Also, coming from a public school where, as OP states, lots of kids are ranked "No. 1" in the class, OP's kid's stats are (sadly) not unusual. So OP's kid might be the cream of the crop, but there is a lot of flotsam and jetsam in that cream these days.

The combination of grades and SAT scores, as well as being in a magnet aren’t unusual? You think a lot of kids have similar stats? Do you understand what percentiles are? I’ve known several kids who applied and got into Purdue engineering/CS; none had stats even remotely as good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You people crapping on the OP are off base IMO. Let’s be honest; this kid had top 1% GPA, top 1% SAT scores and all the rest of the package. Schools like Perdue and CU aren’t swimming in kids like this. It’s completely reasonable to be upset that someone with a resume like this isn’t being immediately accepted into the schools mentioned.

The top kids at a lot of schools apply to Purdue. Also, coming from a public school where, as OP states, lots of kids are ranked "No. 1" in the class, OP's kid's stats are (sadly) not unusual. So OP's kid might be the cream of the crop, but there is a lot of flotsam and jetsam in that cream these days.

The combination of grades and SAT scores, as well as being in a magnet aren’t unusual? You think a lot of kids have similar stats? Do you understand what percentiles are? I’ve known several kids who applied and got into Purdue engineering/CS; none had stats even remotely as good.

+1

Agree. OP, follow up with Purdue - I bet they would be happy to have your DC!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hang in there, OP. Your kid is well in range for the remaining schools. A deferral at Purdue is probably yield protection. If your son loves the school he should find ways to demonstrate his interest there.

Please don't spread misinformation. Deferrals are not about gaming the rankings. For over-subscribed schools & majors, they simply cannot offer everyone qualified admission. After EA comes out, there will be plenty of students who promptly put down a deposit because the school was their first choice. By RD, the school will have a better idea of how many more spaces they have.

[Anonymous]

That seems like an odd mix. No Virginia tech but GMU and VCU? Also, you have expensive OOS options but not many privates?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You people crapping on the OP are off base IMO. Let’s be honest; this kid had top 1% GPA, top 1% SAT scores and all the rest of the package. Schools like Perdue and CU aren’t swimming in kids like this. It’s completely reasonable to be upset that someone with a resume like this isn’t being immediately accepted into the schools mentioned.

The top kids at a lot of schools apply to Purdue. Also, coming from a public school where, as OP states, lots of kids are ranked "No. 1" in the class, OP's kid's stats are (sadly) not unusual. So OP's kid might be the cream of the crop, but there is a lot of flotsam and jetsam in that cream these days.

The combination of grades and SAT scores, as well as being in a magnet aren’t unusual? You think a lot of kids have similar stats? Do you understand what percentiles are? I’ve known several kids who applied and got into Purdue engineering/CS; none had stats even remotely as good.

But admissions are not a pure numbers game across all applicants - kids are first compared to others from their school. What you don't know is who else from OP's school with the same or higher stats was admitted and Purdue wants kids from many different schools.

[Anonymous]

Your son got into Pitt CS. He’s fine. Just because these schools have high general acceptance rates, their CS acceptance rates are not as high. Plus he’s OOS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am not a troll i am just an upset parent with a son (sorry for the typo my finger hit the s but good lord everyone jumped on it).
My son is a very passionate caring normal kid who is naturally smart and comes by his stats honestly through both hard work and encouraging involved but not up in his business at every moment parents. I care about my son and his future and push him when it’s necessary but allow him to fall on his own and work his way out of problems. He is well liked at his school and has been innately into computers, coding and creating things related to such things since I can remember. He was the kid begging for Lego mindstorms as soon as I could trust him not to swallow the pieces.

His school choices are well thought out (for him). He wants a strong cs program in a school with a strong STEM reputation but he also wants to have fun and not necessarily attend a top 20 pressure-cooker. He wants ideally to get out of va for many reasons and I respect his reasons. He does not mesh at all with VT and doesn’t relish the atmosphere at UVA but did apply to UVA bc he felt he needed it in his quiver due to cost in state vs reputation vs he could possibly see himself there. Did not apply to VT. GMU is an option bc the program is decent and it’s near DC (he loves cities). Plus it’s dirt cheap and although we are full pay and said we will pay for wherever he will consider cost in his ultimate decision. VCU is also in a city with a tolerable program for him and he knew he needed safety schools. Pitt is a very very good option and he really likes the school.

Boulder actually was a top pick. We as a family have a goal of moving west and love Colorado, the mountains, etc… it’s a great program in a great location for him and he loved it when we toured. I think that decision hit the hardest bc he really wanted to go there. Even got 25,000 merit but not in CS direct admit and despite what people think starting in exploratory studies is NOT a guarantee you will eventually land in CS. If you do you can bet on taking 5 yrs to finish bc there’s no way you’re getting your first year cs courses unless you’re actually a first year cs student. We have talked with MANY friends and people in and around Boulder that verified this. Why pay all that money and just gamble (no matter how high the odds) when you know your true passion is CS (which he does). There are little details like your AP credits not counting towards your exp studies courses etc that make me think it’s a money grab to ensure some kids stay more than 4 yrs.

Purdue is incredible for CS and the school spirit and size made up for the lack of a nearby city when he toured.

We are proud and express openly our pride about his current admissions but I feel like I am allowed to vent about the deferral and Boulder situation bc we thought he would have a better outcome at those 2 schools and it makes us leery of the ones to come (which are all statistically harder admits for CS). Just reading the tea leaves and upset that he worked so hard, honestly and truly loves and is gifted in CS and is realistically looking at more deferrals and denials. It sucks for ALL our hardworking kids; a lot of us are in this high stat, high demand major admission crap shoot.

That’s what I was trying to get across but there are some bitter mean people on this forum.

FWIW, if your son likes cities, Pittsburgh is a fantastic place to be. The honors program at Pitt is very good; most of the kids there will have similar stats to your son, so it would be an excellent cohort. My kid goes to Pitt and she loves it.

[Anonymous]

I haven't read the whole thread but...

DId some of these colleges ask for 1 LOT from math/science and one English/Social studies or Humanities? If so, that's a problem..Even at this late date, I'd ask an English/SS, etc. teacheer to submit a LOR.

And community leader? What is the relationship between your kid and that community leader? Does he or she really know your kid? Is the role someone from the college would be familiar with?

[Anonymous]

OP-your feelings are understandable (especially now that you provided the CO background).

You have done a great job raising your son, and are right to feel proud. He will do very well wherever he lands.

Good luck with the rest of his applications.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am not a troll i am just an upset parent with a son (sorry for the typo my finger hit the s but good lord everyone jumped on it).
My son is a very passionate caring normal kid who is naturally smart and comes by his stats honestly through both hard work and encouraging involved but not up in his business at every moment parents. I care about my son and his future and push him when it’s necessary but allow him to fall on his own and work his way out of problems. He is well liked at his school and has been innately into computers, coding and creating things related to such things since I can remember. He was the kid begging for Lego mindstorms as soon as I could trust him not to swallow the pieces.

His school choices are well thought out (for him). He wants a strong cs program in a school with a strong STEM reputation but he also wants to have fun and not necessarily attend a top 20 pressure-cooker. He wants ideally to get out of va for many reasons and I respect his reasons. He does not mesh at all with VT and doesn’t relish the atmosphere at UVA but did apply to UVA bc he felt he needed it in his quiver due to cost in state vs reputation vs he could possibly see himself there. Did not apply to VT. GMU is an option bc the program is decent and it’s near DC (he loves cities). Plus it’s dirt cheap and although we are full pay and said we will pay for wherever he will consider cost in his ultimate decision. VCU is also in a city with a tolerable program for him and he knew he needed safety schools. Pitt is a very very good option and he really likes the school.

Boulder actually was a top pick. We as a family have a goal of moving west and love Colorado, the mountains, etc… it’s a great program in a great location for him and he loved it when we toured. I think that decision hit the hardest bc he really wanted to go there. Even got 25,000 merit but not in CS direct admit and despite what people think starting in exploratory studies is NOT a guarantee you will eventually land in CS. If you do you can bet on taking 5 yrs to finish bc there’s no way you’re getting your first year cs courses unless you’re actually a first year cs student. We have talked with MANY friends and people in and around Boulder that verified this. Why pay all that money and just gamble (no matter how high the odds) when you know your true passion is CS (which he does). There are little details like your AP credits not counting towards your exp studies courses etc that make me think it’s a money grab to ensure some kids stay more than 4 yrs.

Purdue is incredible for CS and the school spirit and size made up for the lack of a nearby city when he toured.

We are proud and express openly our pride about his current admissions but I feel like I am allowed to vent about the deferral and Boulder situation bc we thought he would have a better outcome at those 2 schools and it makes us leery of the ones to come (which are all statistically harder admits for CS). Just reading the tea leaves and upset that he worked so hard, honestly and truly loves and is gifted in CS and is realistically looking at more deferrals and denials. It sucks for ALL our hardworking kids; a lot of us are in this high stat, high demand major admission crap shoot.

That’s what I was trying to get across but there are some bitter mean people on this forum.

FWIW, if your son likes cities, Pittsburgh is a fantastic place to be. The honors program at Pitt is very good; most of the kids there will have similar stats to your son, so it would be an excellent cohort. My kid goes to Pitt and she loves it.

Ditto--I know a lot of kids similar to the OP's son that are in the honors program at Pitt and really enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

Sorry to even ask this---is your kid a South Asian male?

Anonymous wrote:The Facts:
Son UW GPA 4.0. NEVER made below an A (even middle school). WGA 4.5 (only classes that are weighted are AP level) Top 1% class (everyone with a 4.0 gets rank of 1 so % rank based on WGPA)
9 APs total after Senior year including good mix of science (AP Physics 1,2 and C), math (Calc BC), computer science, humanities (history, government)....
1550 SAT one sitting May of junior year (balanced math/verbal score)
Attends specialized engineering courses through CC and Magnet program
Eagle Scout with lots of leadership positions and projects through the scouting program
Lots of EC focused on computer science that he does because he loves them and does totally on his own (has website blog with details of all projects that is very well written)
Community service since 9th grade (even through covid) at same organization - has many hours
Awesome LOR from computer science teacher and AP physics teacher and community leader
Coherent, funny, on topic essays

Deferred Purdue CS
Offered Exploratory Studies CU Boulder
Admitted to Pitt CS and GMU CS with honors
Admitted to VCU CS

Waiting to hear from GT, UT Austin, Wisconsin Madison, U Washington, Rice and not expecting good results based on the deferral and exploratory studies garbage can offer.

If choices end up being Pitt, GMU or VCU so be it but that seems ridiculous. She has so much potential. Pitt seems to be the winner so far

[Anonymous]

Can either the OP or someone else explain how the weighted GPA is calculated. OP said only APs are weighted and by the end of his senior year he will have 9 APs. So for a 4.5 GPA, he would only have taken 18 classes in all of high school (9 APs with a 5.0 and 9 non-AP with a 4.0). Obviously you need more than 18 credits to graduate. What am I missing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You say son and then she later on.

Big difference if girl or boy in that major.

Eagle scout=boy.