3.9 GPA with 1400 or TO - where to apply?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Classics at UChicago is amazing. Can he do a summer program and ED0 there? If not, ED1 makes sense. WashU also is really strong and might be attainable, especially ED. UVA and W&M both have strong classics if you happen to live in Virginia. If religious affiliation doesn't turn you off, Holy Cross and Trinity U (Texas) would love to have your kid and offer strong classics. If that's a non-starter, UCSB, Dickinson, and Skidmore are likelies with strong offerings.

DC is planning on applying to UVA EA. We are OOS (NY). We know someone who got in this yr TO from OOS so it is possible, however unlikely. UNC too, TO kid from our school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're not giving a lot of context to help with suggestions. Do they want a big school? Small? Location? Specific majors?

Amazing how many people ask for suggestions and provide virtually no information...budget?

OP: we are full pay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TO, do Emory, BU, Northeastern, UMichigan, UC Irvine, NYU

OP: Emory and BU on the list. But does not want either ED2 at this point so it’s a loong shot RD. Northeastern does not have a classics major. Neither does Lehigh, fyi. DC does not want to stay in NYC for college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't want to come across as harsh, but a lot of the posts in this thread feel negligently optimistic to me. There is absolutely absolutely a great school for OP's kid (many, in fact!), and I think they can find a fantastic school where they'll thrive. But I don't see how people are encouraging them that certain schools (like WashU) are realistic, even for ED.

OP's kid's verbal SAT is 670, and WashU's 25th percentile verbal is 730. Chicago's is 740.
Kid's math SAT is 730, and WashU's 25th percentile math is 770, as is Chicago's.
Almost 70% of WashU's students had a 4.0, with, presumably, a good chunk in the 3.91–4.0 range as well.

Is admittance with those stats possible? Sure! It could happen! And, yes, Classical Studies and ED will both help. But it's wild to me that there aren't more cautionary voices in this thread.

So, OP, what to do? I think, first, off, don't approach this with a "here are my kid's stats; where can they get in" mindset. Again, there are tons of schools that could be great for your kid. But better to think "okay, what schools are known for classics, and then where can my kid get in?" … and you very well might end up with a list that looks nothing like what people in this thread have suggested. The University of Wisconsin / Washington / Iowa. Pitt. CU Boulder. Or smaller schools, like Whitman, or Occidental, Dickinson, Union, Franklin & Marshall.

There are excellent schools out there, and I'd strongly encourage building a list up from the targets / likelies.

OP: adding Wisconsin is probably a good idea

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't want to come across as harsh, but a lot of the posts in this thread feel negligently optimistic to me. There is absolutely absolutely a great school for OP's kid (many, in fact!), and I think they can find a fantastic school where they'll thrive. But I don't see how people are encouraging them that certain schools (like WashU) are realistic, even for ED.

OP's kid's verbal SAT is 670, and WashU's 25th percentile verbal is 730. Chicago's is 740.
Kid's math SAT is 730, and WashU's 25th percentile math is 770, as is Chicago's.
Almost 70% of WashU's students had a 4.0, with, presumably, a good chunk in the 3.91–4.0 range as well.

Is admittance with those stats possible? Sure! It could happen! And, yes, Classical Studies and ED will both help. But it's wild to me that there aren't more cautionary voices in this thread.

So, OP, what to do? I think, first, off, don't approach this with a "here are my kid's stats; where can they get in" mindset. Again, there are tons of schools that could be great for your kid. But better to think "okay, what schools are known for classics, and then where can my kid get in?" … and you very well might end up with a list that looks nothing like what people in this thread have suggested. The University of Wisconsin / Washington / Iowa. Pitt. CU Boulder. Or smaller schools, like Whitman, or Occidental, Dickinson, Union, Franklin & Marshall.

There are excellent schools out there, and I'd strongly encourage building a list up from the targets / likelies.

But if the kid has a strong application in terms of grades, activities, recs, etc., and goes TO, it doesn’t matter what the test percentiles look like. So if WashU is a favorite and remains TO, there’s no reason not to consider it an option.

Agree 💯
WashU admits 40% + TO. Ask your local rep. They’ll be honest.

OP: this is true. I checked their CDS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: wow, so much great advice here! DC is taking SAT again in June and wants to visit Wash U as a possible ED2 choice after Chicago. Applied for Chicago summer and is waitlisted. So ED1 it is. It looks like they take a lot TO - 26% of the class of 2028. Michigan also - maybe 30% are TO. DC is at a small private and doesn’t want SLAC. I will try to respond to more individual posts later tonight. But ty for all the advice!

Lots of ECs and awards around classics, it’s a real thing for dc and for yrs. Lots of other ECs as well, in fact the issue is how to limit them to just 10 on the common app. LOCs should be strong. Classics teacher is writing one.

Also - I apologize to those offended by my boo-hoo 1400 - I get it, it’s not a terrible score of course but dc has been hoping and aiming for 1500 - which is what the scores on practice tests have been.

My senior got into Michigan test optional. Female.
Humanities major.
NonDMV Private.

OP: this is a relief to hear. What is the min score you would have submitted?

The former MI college counselor everyone follows on Facebook (found out about her here - empowered 4 college) says OOS test scores are higher than in-state, so don’t go by UM’s published 25%.

For OOS, I think she says not to submit scores unless high 1400s/33, unless extenuating circumstances (School cohort; URM; FG; etc). If you post on her board, she will tell you whether or not you should submit or not, but she may want more information - like major, type of high school and caliber of activities. A lot of it is high school dependent, what the scores from the rest of your high school will look like and, whether or not the test score will appear to be a blemish on an otherwise strong application.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think 1400 is do-able for Georgetown! And Chicago admits 25% with no SAT score. Michigan seems like the hard one TBH.

OP: I just checked and their 25th percentile score is 1400 - surprising!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think 1400 is do-able for Georgetown! And Chicago admits 25% with no SAT score. Michigan seems like the hard one TBH.

OP: I just checked and their 25th percentile score is 1400 - surprising!

The 25% is usually hooked (athlete, faculty, donor, etc)….just remember that.

You really should go by the 50th percentile as the guide unless you are hooked or have something really special

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: wow, so much great advice here! DC is taking SAT again in June and wants to visit Wash U as a possible ED2 choice after Chicago. Applied for Chicago summer and is waitlisted. So ED1 it is. It looks like they take a lot TO - 26% of the class of 2028. Michigan also - maybe 30% are TO. DC is at a small private and doesn’t want SLAC. I will try to respond to more individual posts later tonight. But ty for all the advice!

Lots of ECs and awards around classics, it’s a real thing for dc and for yrs. Lots of other ECs as well, in fact the issue is how to limit them to just 10 on the common app. LOCs should be strong. Classics teacher is writing one.

Also - I apologize to those offended by my boo-hoo 1400 - I get it, it’s not a terrible score of course but dc has been hoping and aiming for 1500 - which is what the scores on practice tests have been.

My senior got into Michigan test optional. Female.
Humanities major.
NonDMV Private.

OP: this is a relief to hear. What is the min score you would have submitted?

The former MI college counselor everyone follows on Facebook (found out about her here - empowered 4 college) says OOS test scores are higher than in-state, so don’t go by UM’s published 25%.

For OOS, I think she says not to submit scores unless high 1400s/33, unless extenuating circumstances (School cohort; URM; FG; etc). If you post on her board, she will tell you whether or not you should submit or not, but she may want more information - like major, type of high school and caliber of activities. A lot of it is high school dependent, what the scores from the rest of your high school will look like and, whether or not the test score will appear to be a blemish on an otherwise strong application.

That’s what I would have guessed. We have a friend who got in w 1480 this yr. But according to their CDS they take 30% TO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think 1400 is do-able for Georgetown! And Chicago admits 25% with no SAT score. Michigan seems like the hard one TBH.

OP: I just checked and their 25th percentile score is 1400 - surprising!

The 25% is usually hooked (athlete, faculty, donor, etc)….just remember that.

You really should go by the 50th percentile as the guide unless you are hooked or have something really special

My sense is it is better to submit at 25th percentile that go TO and the assumption might be the score was even lower. Middle 50% puts you in range.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think 1400 is do-able for Georgetown! And Chicago admits 25% with no SAT score. Michigan seems like the hard one TBH.

OP: I just checked and their 25th percentile score is 1400 - surprising!

The 25% is usually hooked (athlete, faculty, donor, etc)….just remember that.

You really should go by the 50th percentile as the guide unless you are hooked or have something really special

My sense is it is better to submit at 25th percentile that go TO and the assumption might be the score was even lower. Middle 50% puts you in range.

It really depends on the school. There is no blanket statement like that is true.

For example, if you submitted a score like that at Vanderbilt, it would hurt you. Absolutely. The AO will tell you if you ask (go to their summer pre-VU and city college tours and chat with AO - we found them very forthcoming about TO - also at WashU).

At other “test optional “schools your guidance might be right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think 1400 is do-able for Georgetown! And Chicago admits 25% with no SAT score. Michigan seems like the hard one TBH.

OP: I just checked and their 25th percentile score is 1400 - surprising!

Georgetown is for very high score but lower gpa kids in our school. Definitely not for 1400 score kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think 1400 is do-able for Georgetown! And Chicago admits 25% with no SAT score. Michigan seems like the hard one TBH.

OP: I just checked and their 25th percentile score is 1400 - surprising!

Georgetown is for very high score but lower gpa kids in our school. Definitely not for 1400 score kids.

Yep. Same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think 1400 is do-able for Georgetown! And Chicago admits 25% with no SAT score. Michigan seems like the hard one TBH.

OP: I just checked and their 25th percentile score is 1400 - surprising!

The 25% is usually hooked (athlete, faculty, donor, etc)….just remember that.

You really should go by the 50th percentile as the guide unless you are hooked or have something really special

My sense is it is better to submit at 25th percentile that go TO and the assumption might be the score was even lower. Middle 50% puts you in range.

It really depends on the school. There is no blanket statement like that is true.

For example, if you submitted a score like that at Vanderbilt, it would hurt you. Absolutely. The AO will tell you if you ask (go to their summer pre-VU and city college tours and chat with AO - we found them very forthcoming about TO - also at WashU).

At other “test optional “schools your guidance might be right.

OP: yes I have heard this as well. Idk abt WashU. Vandy is another possibility for TO ED2 although I think dc prefers WashU so far. Would either be possible in RD though?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think 1400 is do-able for Georgetown! And Chicago admits 25% with no SAT score. Michigan seems like the hard one TBH.

OP: I just checked and their 25th percentile score is 1400 - surprising!

The 25% is usually hooked (athlete, faculty, donor, etc)….just remember that.

You really should go by the 50th percentile as the guide unless you are hooked or have something really special

My sense is it is better to submit at 25th percentile that go TO and the assumption might be the score was even lower. Middle 50% puts you in range.

It really depends on the school. There is no blanket statement like that is true.

For example, if you submitted a score like that at Vanderbilt, it would hurt you. Absolutely. The AO will tell you if you ask (go to their summer pre-VU and city college tours and chat with AO - we found them very forthcoming about TO - also at WashU).

At other “test optional “schools your guidance might be right.

OP: yes I have heard this as well. Idk abt WashU. Vandy is another possibility for TO ED2 although I think dc prefers WashU so far. Would either be possible in RD though?

Probably not RD TO at our school. In RD Vandy likes tippy top stats or national level ECs/fame. ED2 at Vandy is notoriously hard too - with a lot of T10 ED1 rejections redirecting. But again, your schools data may show something different - and more positive.

RD is possible if deferred from ED though? Look at your high school’s data? See which kids are going /were admitted to those 2 schools this year? Were they TO? Can your kid ask them?