Help me figure out which schools are realistic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Build a balanced list of schools: reach, targets and safeties/likelies. That means recognizing that any school with less than 20% acceptance rate is a Reach for ANYONE. So NU/Duke/HYPSM etc are a major reach for everyone---think of them as highly rejective. So pick a few and apply and give it your all, but do not let your kid fall in love with them and make sure they know it's not likely to happen.

Pick targets where your kids scores are 50%+ and acceptance rates are 20-25%+.
Safeties are 50%+ acceptance rates and your kid's scores at/above 75%+
Likelies are 75%+ acceptance rates and kid's scores at/above 75+.

remember your kid must like all the schools and you must be able to afford them in order for them to be real and on your list. A safety your kid doesn't want to attend is NOT a safety.

Pick at least 3-4 in each category and your kid will be fine come March/April senior year. They will likely be in at 50% of their Targets and 50%+ of their safeties. Reaches who knows, they might win the lottery.

Based on the other post, no public university is a true safety for anyone because they do yield protection.

You have really oversimplified this. I will say that MOST public universities are "safeties" for OP's kid.

Having just gone the application cycle, a big nope to that. Targets at best.

Depends upon the major. Most public Universities are Safeties with that resume if applying to Arts and Sciences/general admission. If you want a highly desired major (cs/eng/business) then yes they are reaches or targets. Outside of 10 or so Public U and the UCs, most state Universities would be a safety with that resume for general admission (general admission is the key phrase)

Maybe in 1999, certainly not today.

My student went through the cycle this year. I really don’t want to waste more of my energy arguing this point. Deluded parents who want to believe the admissions environment isn’t as competitive as it is only hurt the applicants.

It is more competitive. But go look at the statistics for Public Universities, outside of the Elite 10 or so plus the UCs. Va Tech has a 56% acceptance rate. Yes it's harder to get into CS/Eng, but getting into the general admission is still a low target for someone with those stats. The issue is many want CS/Eng/Business and those are impacted/direct admit majors at many of those Public Us


Take the Big 10 schools: outside of Northwestern (t10/elite) and Umich, the admission rates overall is over 50% at each and every school. Outside of 3 schools in VA, all the admission rates are higher than 50% for publics, with many over 75-80%. So if you are "general admission/non elite major" the admission rates are actually higher than the overall, and obviously lower forCS/Eng/Business/etc. But fact remains that while it is more competitive for the elite majors, outside top 10 Public Unis and the UCs most Public Universities have acceptance rates over 50% in general

Looking at UMDs CDS for Fall 2022, acceptance rate was 45%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Build a balanced list of schools: reach, targets and safeties/likelies. That means recognizing that any school with less than 20% acceptance rate is a Reach for ANYONE. So NU/Duke/HYPSM etc are a major reach for everyone---think of them as highly rejective. So pick a few and apply and give it your all, but do not let your kid fall in love with them and make sure they know it's not likely to happen.

Pick targets where your kids scores are 50%+ and acceptance rates are 20-25%+.
Safeties are 50%+ acceptance rates and your kid's scores at/above 75%+
Likelies are 75%+ acceptance rates and kid's scores at/above 75+.

remember your kid must like all the schools and you must be able to afford them in order for them to be real and on your list. A safety your kid doesn't want to attend is NOT a safety.

Pick at least 3-4 in each category and your kid will be fine come March/April senior year. They will likely be in at 50% of their Targets and 50%+ of their safeties. Reaches who knows, they might win the lottery.

Based on the other post, no public university is a true safety for anyone because they do yield protection.

You have really oversimplified this. I will say that MOST public universities are "safeties" for OP's kid.

Having just gone the application cycle, a big nope to that. Targets at best.

Depends upon the major. Most public Universities are Safeties with that resume if applying to Arts and Sciences/general admission. If you want a highly desired major (cs/eng/business) then yes they are reaches or targets. Outside of 10 or so Public U and the UCs, most state Universities would be a safety with that resume for general admission (general admission is the key phrase)

Maybe in 1999, certainly not today.

My student went through the cycle this year. I really don’t want to waste more of my energy arguing this point. Deluded parents who want to believe the admissions environment isn’t as competitive as it is only hurt the applicants.

It is more competitive. But go look at the statistics for Public Universities, outside of the Elite 10 or so plus the UCs. Va Tech has a 56% acceptance rate. Yes it's harder to get into CS/Eng, but getting into the general admission is still a low target for someone with those stats. The issue is many want CS/Eng/Business and those are impacted/direct admit majors at many of those Public Us


Take the Big 10 schools: outside of Northwestern (t10/elite) and Umich, the admission rates overall is over 50% at each and every school. Outside of 3 schools in VA, all the admission rates are higher than 50% for publics, with many over 75-80%. So if you are "general admission/non elite major" the admission rates are actually higher than the overall, and obviously lower forCS/Eng/Business/etc. But fact remains that while it is more competitive for the elite majors, outside top 10 Public Unis and the UCs most Public Universities have acceptance rates over 50% in general

Looking at UMDs CDS for Fall 2022, acceptance rate was 45%.

And it fell significantly this year. As did Clemson’s. Applications are up so dramatically that 10 point drops in acceptance rates each year are not uncommon for schools that were once considered safe.

[Anonymous]

My advice, if you are full pay, ED to a non-need blind "top" college: Tufts, Bates, Wash U St. Louis, Texas A&M, Carelton, BU, Colby, Case Western, Haverford, Wesleyan. There are enough that if she wants big in a city she can apply to BU or Wash U or if she wants small in a city Tufts, small and rural Bates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Build a balanced list of schools: reach, targets and safeties/likelies. That means recognizing that any school with less than 20% acceptance rate is a Reach for ANYONE. So NU/Duke/HYPSM etc are a major reach for everyone---think of them as highly rejective. So pick a few and apply and give it your all, but do not let your kid fall in love with them and make sure they know it's not likely to happen.

Pick targets where your kids scores are 50%+ and acceptance rates are 20-25%+.
Safeties are 50%+ acceptance rates and your kid's scores at/above 75%+
Likelies are 75%+ acceptance rates and kid's scores at/above 75+.

remember your kid must like all the schools and you must be able to afford them in order for them to be real and on your list. A safety your kid doesn't want to attend is NOT a safety.

Pick at least 3-4 in each category and your kid will be fine come March/April senior year. They will likely be in at 50% of their Targets and 50%+ of their safeties. Reaches who knows, they might win the lottery.

Based on the other post, no public university is a true safety for anyone because they do yield protection.

You have really oversimplified this. I will say that MOST public universities are "safeties" for OP's kid.

Having just gone the application cycle, a big nope to that. Targets at best.

Depends upon the major. Most public Universities are Safeties with that resume if applying to Arts and Sciences/general admission. If you want a highly desired major (cs/eng/business) then yes they are reaches or targets. Outside of 10 or so Public U and the UCs, most state Universities would be a safety with that resume for general admission (general admission is the key phrase)

Maybe in 1999, certainly not today.

My student went through the cycle this year. I really don’t want to waste more of my energy arguing this point. Deluded parents who want to believe the admissions environment isn’t as competitive as it is only hurt the applicants.

It is more competitive. But go look at the statistics for Public Universities, outside of the Elite 10 or so plus the UCs. Va Tech has a 56% acceptance rate. Yes it's harder to get into CS/Eng, but getting into the general admission is still a low target for someone with those stats. The issue is many want CS/Eng/Business and those are impacted/direct admit majors at many of those Public Us


Take the Big 10 schools: outside of Northwestern (t10/elite) and Umich, the admission rates overall is over 50% at each and every school. Outside of 3 schools in VA, all the admission rates are higher than 50% for publics, with many over 75-80%. So if you are "general admission/non elite major" the admission rates are actually higher than the overall, and obviously lower forCS/Eng/Business/etc. But fact remains that while it is more competitive for the elite majors, outside top 10 Public Unis and the UCs most Public Universities have acceptance rates over 50% in general

Looking at UMDs CDS for Fall 2022, acceptance rate was 45%.

Quick glance, UWM was 49% and UIUC was 45%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Build a balanced list of schools: reach, targets and safeties/likelies. That means recognizing that any school with less than 20% acceptance rate is a Reach for ANYONE. So NU/Duke/HYPSM etc are a major reach for everyone---think of them as highly rejective. So pick a few and apply and give it your all, but do not let your kid fall in love with them and make sure they know it's not likely to happen.

Pick targets where your kids scores are 50%+ and acceptance rates are 20-25%+.
Safeties are 50%+ acceptance rates and your kid's scores at/above 75%+
Likelies are 75%+ acceptance rates and kid's scores at/above 75+.

remember your kid must like all the schools and you must be able to afford them in order for them to be real and on your list. A safety your kid doesn't want to attend is NOT a safety.

Pick at least 3-4 in each category and your kid will be fine come March/April senior year. They will likely be in at 50% of their Targets and 50%+ of their safeties. Reaches who knows, they might win the lottery.

Based on the other post, no public university is a true safety for anyone because they do yield protection.

You have really oversimplified this. I will say that MOST public universities are "safeties" for OP's kid.

Having just gone the application cycle, a big nope to that. Targets at best.

Depends upon the major. Most public Universities are Safeties with that resume if applying to Arts and Sciences/general admission. If you want a highly desired major (cs/eng/business) then yes they are reaches or targets. Outside of 10 or so Public U and the UCs, most state Universities would be a safety with that resume for general admission (general admission is the key phrase)

Maybe in 1999, certainly not today.

My student went through the cycle this year. I really don’t want to waste more of my energy arguing this point. Deluded parents who want to believe the admissions environment isn’t as competitive as it is only hurt the applicants.

It is more competitive. But go look at the statistics for Public Universities, outside of the Elite 10 or so plus the UCs. Va Tech has a 56% acceptance rate. Yes it's harder to get into CS/Eng, but getting into the general admission is still a low target for someone with those stats. The issue is many want CS/Eng/Business and those are impacted/direct admit majors at many of those Public Us


Take the Big 10 schools: outside of Northwestern (t10/elite) and Umich, the admission rates overall is over 50% at each and every school. Outside of 3 schools in VA, all the admission rates are higher than 50% for publics, with many over 75-80%. So if you are "general admission/non elite major" the admission rates are actually higher than the overall, and obviously lower forCS/Eng/Business/etc. But fact remains that while it is more competitive for the elite majors, outside top 10 Public Unis and the UCs most Public Universities have acceptance rates over 50% in general

Looking at UMDs CDS for Fall 2022, acceptance rate was 45%.

Quick glance, UWM was 49% and UIUC was 45%.

UIUC was in the 20-25 percent range this year (For fall 2023) for computer science, business, engineering, and information sciences ( i.e. any major where it has a decent program) https://admissions.blog/university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign-releases-admissions-decisions/ And that’s all comers, oos typically lower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My advice, if you are full pay, ED to a non-need blind "top" college: Tufts, Bates, Wash U St. Louis, Texas A&M, Carelton, BU, Colby, Case Western, Haverford, Wesleyan. There are enough that if she wants big in a city she can apply to BU or Wash U or if she wants small in a city Tufts, small and rural Bates.

Not sure if true, but I heard Wash U is no longer need blind. Otherwise, sound advice.

[Anonymous]

I have two kids who had similar stats and circumstances. Both got into top 15 schools. Both received packages that made it affordable. My two cents as a parent: The GPA and SAT/ACT score is what gets you an initial look. For unhooked kids from the burbs that will be a very high threshold. 3.95 unweighted with APs and a difficult course load plus a 1590 totally meets that threshold. That app will be read

What set my kids apart, I believe, is that both were highly self-motivated and knew what they wanted to do. Their ECs reflected that. Very different interests but both had unique experiences, leadership positions, and national awards. All done on their own. Additionally, they were both athletes and had some good community service projects. I think it's important to somehow reflect that the applicant is a decent, well-rounded individual that plays well with others. Schools are looking for people that will be a plus for the community

Additionally, solid teacher recs. Those recs need to be effusive about how this is a really special student

Also, essays. Cannot stress that enough. Schools like Northwestern are looking at 50,000 applications. The vast majority are going to have absolutely stellar academics. The essay is the one place where a student can be an individual. It really matters. And don't even think about outsourcing or heavily editing the essay. The BS detector of admissions officers is off the charts. They've seen it all. It needs to be authentic. It's so important. You need to make the reader your champion when it gets to committee.

Finally, be strategic. MIT for instance - and I love their admissions process - does not favor early admissions over regular. So don't throw the ED card there. Similarly, Harvard and Stanford. ED makes no sense. It's where they fill their "preferred slots." Middle class white or asian kids from the burbs have no chance there. Go further down the list, find the right match for your child - make sure you visit - and apply early decision where it makes a difference. I've seen suburban kids get into Northwestern. But they were young journalists - editors of the school paper, clips from online or national publications. But that's very specific for Northwestern, which is known for its journalism program. Other schools will have different priorities. But know what they are

It's a lot of hoops for a teenager. And if they're not self-motivated, no one one should push them. Tons of really smart kids are going to the honors program at their state colleges or taking merit elsewhere. Think the value of pedigree degrees will flatline in the years ahead. Would tell all smart kids not to stress

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have two kids who had similar stats and circumstances. Both got into top 15 schools. Both received packages that made it affordable. My two cents as a parent: The GPA and SAT/ACT score is what gets you an initial look. For unhooked kids from the burbs that will be a very high threshold. 3.95 unweighted with APs and a difficult course load plus a 1590 totally meets that threshold. That app will be read

What set my kids apart, I believe, is that both were highly self-motivated and knew what they wanted to do. Their ECs reflected that. Very different interests but both had unique experiences, leadership positions, and national awards. All done on their own. Additionally, they were both athletes and had some good community service projects. I think it's important to somehow reflect that the applicant is a decent, well-rounded individual that plays well with others. Schools are looking for people that will be a plus for the community

Additionally, solid teacher recs. Those recs need to be effusive about how this is a really special student

Also, essays. Cannot stress that enough. Schools like Northwestern are looking at 50,000 applications. The vast majority are going to have absolutely stellar academics. The essay is the one place where a student can be an individual. It really matters. And don't even think about outsourcing or heavily editing the essay. The BS detector of admissions officers is off the charts. They've seen it all. It needs to be authentic. It's so important. You need to make the reader your champion when it gets to committee.

Finally, be strategic. MIT for instance - and I love their admissions process - does not favor early admissions over regular. So don't throw the ED card there. Similarly, Harvard and Stanford. ED makes no sense. It's where they fill their "preferred slots." Middle class white or asian kids from the burbs have no chance there. Go further down the list, find the right match for your child - make sure you visit - and apply early decision where it makes a difference. I've seen suburban kids get into Northwestern. But they were young journalists - editors of the school paper, clips from online or national publications. But that's very specific for Northwestern, which is known for its journalism program. Other schools will have different priorities. But know what they are

It's a lot of hoops for a teenager. And if they're not self-motivated, no one one should push them. Tons of really smart kids are going to the honors program at their state colleges or taking merit elsewhere. Think the value of pedigree degrees will flatline in the years ahead. Would tell all smart kids not to stress

But please, tell us more about your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My advice, if you are full pay, ED to a non-need blind "top" college: Tufts, Bates, Wash U St. Louis, Texas A&M, Carelton, BU, Colby, Case Western, Haverford, Wesleyan. There are enough that if she wants big in a city she can apply to BU or Wash U or if she wants small in a city Tufts, small and rural Bates.

Not sure if true, but I heard Wash U is no longer need blind. Otherwise, sound advice.

Sorry, no longer NON need blind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My advice, if you are full pay, ED to a non-need blind "top" college: Tufts, Bates, Wash U St. Louis, Texas A&M, Carelton, BU, Colby, Case Western, Haverford, Wesleyan. There are enough that if she wants big in a city she can apply to BU or Wash U or if she wants small in a city Tufts, small and rural Bates.

Not sure if true, but I heard Wash U is no longer need blind. Otherwise, sound advice.

Sorry, no longer NON need blind.

Wow, wrangling the negatives in this sentence is rough. Do you mean it is now need blind?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My advice, if you are full pay, ED to a non-need blind "top" college: Tufts, Bates, Wash U St. Louis, Texas A&M, Carelton, BU, Colby, Case Western, Haverford, Wesleyan. There are enough that if she wants big in a city she can apply to BU or Wash U or if she wants small in a city Tufts, small and rural Bates.

Not sure if true, but I heard Wash U is no longer need blind. Otherwise, sound advice.

Sorry, no longer NON need blind.

Wow, wrangling the negatives in this sentence is rough. Do you mean it is now need blind?

haha, yes, although, to be clear, it's just something I heard and I don't know if it's true. But what I heard is "Wash U is no longer need-aware."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think ED to Amherst is a reach but doable I

I’m an Amherst alum and after seeing their promotional materials for admit rates for first generation and people of color, I would not encourage any white kid from the northeastern suburbs that is not a recruited athlete or first Gen college to apply. I just don’t see how they can hit the numbers they are aiming for, and fill their sports teams, otherwise. Maybe if you were an Olympian or child actor or coca-cola scholar or something like that.

Amherst is different from swarthmore, Williams, etc. in its level of commitment to diversifying its classes.

This advice is spot-on and could apply to Bowdoin, Williams, Wesleyan, and others. Unless you're a recruited athlete, first gen or something extraordinary, do not get your caucasian child's hopes up.

Let's not forget legacy (most frequently "Caucasian") and donor-admit (yup, usually Caucasian), the biggest preferred categories of all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Amherst, and top LACs aren't that big of reaches anymore. In fact their ARs went up this year.
Duke ED, Vandy. Emory, Rice, Georgetown, Notre Dame are all moderate Reaches.

While it’s true that the acceptance rate was up slightly this year at Amherst, it was still just 9 percent.

Duke ED (16.5, almost identical to Vandy ED), Vandy (7 overall), Rice (7), Georgetown (13), and Notre Dame (12). All these acceptance rates put them in the reach for all category, The only exception is Emory which has an ED1 acceptance rate close to 40 percent, but it’s less popular due to lack of spectator sports and perceived lack of school spirit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have two kids who had similar stats and circumstances. Both got into top 15 schools. Both received packages that made it affordable. My two cents as a parent: The GPA and SAT/ACT score is what gets you an initial look. For unhooked kids from the burbs that will be a very high threshold. 3.95 unweighted with APs and a difficult course load plus a 1590 totally meets that threshold. That app will be read

What set my kids apart, I believe, is that both were highly self-motivated and knew what they wanted to do. Their ECs reflected that. Very different interests but both had unique experiences, leadership positions, and national awards. All done on their own. Additionally, they were both athletes and had some good community service projects. I think it's important to somehow reflect that the applicant is a decent, well-rounded individual that plays well with others. Schools are looking for people that will be a plus for the community

Additionally, solid teacher recs. Those recs need to be effusive about how this is a really special student

Also, essays. Cannot stress that enough. Schools like Northwestern are looking at 50,000 applications. The vast majority are going to have absolutely stellar academics. The essay is the one place where a student can be an individual. It really matters. And don't even think about outsourcing or heavily editing the essay. The BS detector of admissions officers is off the charts. They've seen it all. It needs to be authentic. It's so important. You need to make the reader your champion when it gets to committee.

Finally, be strategic. MIT for instance - and I love their admissions process - does not favor early admissions over regular. So don't throw the ED card there. Similarly, Harvard and Stanford. ED makes no sense. It's where they fill their "preferred slots." Middle class white or asian kids from the burbs have no chance there. Go further down the list, find the right match for your child - make sure you visit - and apply early decision where it makes a difference. I've seen suburban kids get into Northwestern. But they were young journalists - editors of the school paper, clips from online or national publications. But that's very specific for Northwestern, which is known for its journalism program. Other schools will have different priorities. But know what they are

It's a lot of hoops for a teenager. And if they're not self-motivated, no one one should push them. Tons of really smart kids are going to the honors program at their state colleges or taking merit elsewhere. Think the value of pedigree degrees will flatline in the years ahead. Would tell all smart kids not to stress

Teachers provided copies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think ED to Amherst is a reach but doable I

I’m an Amherst alum and after seeing their promotional materials for admit rates for first generation and people of color, I would not encourage any white kid from the northeastern suburbs that is not a recruited athlete or first Gen college to apply. I just don’t see how they can hit the numbers they are aiming for, and fill their sports teams, otherwise. Maybe if you were an Olympian or child actor or coca-cola scholar or something like that.

Amherst is different from swarthmore, Williams, etc. in its level of commitment to diversifying its classes.

This advice is spot-on and could apply to Bowdoin, Williams, Wesleyan, and others. Unless you're a recruited athlete, first gen or something extraordinary, do not get your caucasian child's hopes up.

Let's not forget legacy (most frequently "Caucasian") and donor-admit (yup, usually Caucasian), the biggest preferred categories of all.

UMC families and trust fund families are not the same. This poster is clearly not inheriting money. At least not the kind of money that moves needles. Hence all the hand wringing.