3.65 unweighted GPA and a 1580 SAT from a BIG 3 - What should realistically be on the list

[Anonymous]

And i can guarantee your kid's counselor is not putting UVA on the list.

[Anonymous]

145,000 kids scored at 1400 or above in 2018
69,000 kids scored at 33 or above in 2018

If even half of these kids are being considered by a top 50 school you can clearly see how important grades and ECs are.

Your high test score isn’t enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If DC is willing to commit early decision, Penn or Cornell may be possibilities. With good recs, essays, and ECs, DC could probably get into 1-2 of the following: Northwestern, Duke, Chicago, Vanderbilt, Rice, Wash U, Emory, USC, Georgetown, Michigan, or any number of Top 10 SLACs.

You're not getting into Penn, Chicago, Northwestern, or a few others with those grades. Big three or not, you need nearly all A grades. Same with schools like Williams and Swarthmore. Unless this kid has some hook, look further down the list. And there really would have to be some good reason for high scores and meh grades. Maybe some kind of personal distress that was being worked out? Otherwise, looks like a kid who coasts or has some more significant problems. Talk to your college counselor. But Penn ain't happening.

This is simply not true. At my kids school, there are plenty of kids with similar stats who are going to Ivys, Northwestern, tufts, WUSTL and so on. There are very few straight A students, but if you are on one of the advanced Math/Science tracks and have that kind of GPA, pretty much anything is on the table except HYPS and MIT.

It’s true. Not a chance. Chicago especially wants to see across the board talent in classes, especially senior year. A student should be getting outstanding results in at least some classes - teaches thinks said student is best top they’ve seen in class or in years.
Duke is unlikely as is Penn.
Vanderbilt might be possible if early APP but not likely either.

[Anonymous]

Apply to as many colleges as possible, you just never know who will accept you, despite high stats..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Original Poster here - not a troll at all. Was asking an honest question. Reason being, the College Counselor was all over the map. Naviance is in a grey area. And Im certainly not going to decide my child's entire future on a chat board - at the same time - I know there are people in the know here. People with prior experience. To those who took my question seriously, thank you. A number of you really helped. Its funny how people think an A- average is terrible these days. Sheesh.

So, non-troll OP, what did your school's counselor tell you? Name the colleges.

Also, each big 3 has multiple counselors. Why don't you ask another one of the counselors for a second opinion. At my kid's big 3, parents are encouraged to talk with other counselors on staff, and not just the assigned counselor.

I smell a fake here.

Counselors often don’t want to see a parent much junior year. Also- the college counselors have a huge work load - they spend a lot of time getting to know each student and their preferences, reviewing essay ideas, cataloging preferences, writing recommendations and getting the teachers to write them as well. At my kids’ private school your child is assigned a college counselor and you don’t go see the other one, no. Some people clearly hire outside counselors but you don’t bother the other school counselors, no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Original Poster here - not a troll at all. Was asking an honest question. Reason being, the College Counselor was all over the map. Naviance is in a grey area. And Im certainly not going to decide my child's entire future on a chat board - at the same time - I know there are people in the know here. People with prior experience. To those who took my question seriously, thank you. A number of you really helped. Its funny how people think an A- average is terrible these days. Sheesh.

Um, Naviance? Which Big 3 gives parents access to Naviance? Not mine.

I say fake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Original Poster here - not a troll at all. Was asking an honest question. Reason being, the College Counselor was all over the map. Naviance is in a grey area. And Im certainly not going to decide my child's entire future on a chat board - at the same time - I know there are people in the know here. People with prior experience. To those who took my question seriously, thank you. A number of you really helped. Its funny how people think an A- average is terrible these days. Sheesh.

So, non-troll OP, what did your school's counselor tell you? Name the colleges.

Also, each big 3 has multiple counselors. Why don't you ask another one of the counselors for a second opinion. At my kid's big 3, parents are encouraged to talk with other counselors on staff, and not just the assigned counselor.

I smell a fake here.

Counselors often don’t want to see a parent much junior year. Also- the college counselors have a huge work load - they spend a lot of time getting to know each student and their preferences, reviewing essay ideas, cataloging preferences, writing recommendations and getting the teachers to write them as well. At my kids’ private school your child is assigned a college counselor and you don’t go see the other one, no. Some people clearly hire outside counselors but you don’t bother the other school counselors, no.

LOL. This isn't true at all. Assuming we're talking Sidwell, gds and Cathedral schools, all juniors should have assigned counselor and met multiple times. The counselor's main job this spring is getting their 40 or 50 juniors ready to launch. And tell me which Big 3 counselors won't talk to parents other than the parents of assigned kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Original Poster here - not a troll at all. Was asking an honest question. Reason being, the College Counselor was all over the map. Naviance is in a grey area. And Im certainly not going to decide my child's entire future on a chat board - at the same time - I know there are people in the know here. People with prior experience. To those who took my question seriously, thank you. A number of you really helped. Its funny how people think an A- average is terrible these days. Sheesh.

Um, Naviance? Which Big 3 gives parents access to Naviance? Not mine.

I say fake.

Fake or not really at a "top private."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Original Poster here - not a troll at all. Was asking an honest question. Reason being, the College Counselor was all over the map. Naviance is in a grey area. And Im certainly not going to decide my child's entire future on a chat board - at the same time - I know there are people in the know here. People with prior experience. To those who took my question seriously, thank you. A number of you really helped. Its funny how people think an A- average is terrible these days. Sheesh.

Um, Naviance? Which Big 3 gives parents access to Naviance? Not mine.

I say fake.

Fake or not really at a "top private."

LMAO!!!

So after five pages of posts, you now acknowledge that you lied with your initial question. Not at a Big 3. Now you're saying a "top private." What's next? Do you actually have a school age child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If DC is willing to commit early decision, Penn or Cornell may be possibilities. With good recs, essays, and ECs, DC could probably get into 1-2 of the following: Northwestern, Duke, Chicago, Vanderbilt, Rice, Wash U, Emory, USC, Georgetown, Michigan, or any number of Top 10 SLACs.

You're not getting into Penn, Chicago, Northwestern, or a few others with those grades. Big three or not, you need nearly all A grades. Same with schools like Williams and Swarthmore. Unless this kid has some hook, look further down the list. And there really would have to be some good reason for high scores and meh grades. Maybe some kind of personal distress that was being worked out? Otherwise, looks like a kid who coasts or has some more significant problems. Talk to your college counselor. But Penn ain't happening.

This is simply not true. At my kids school, there are plenty of kids with similar stats who are going to Ivys, Northwestern, tufts, WUSTL and so on. There are very few straight A students, but if you are on one of the advanced Math/Science tracks and have that kind of GPA, pretty much anything is on the table except HYPS and MIT.

It’s true. Not a chance. Chicago especially wants to see across the board talent in classes, especially senior year. A student should be getting outstanding results in at least some classes - teaches thinks said student is best top they’ve seen in class or in years.
Duke is unlikely as is Penn.
Vanderbilt might be possible if early APP but not likely either.

Chicago was not among the schools you previously listed. You are moving the goalposts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Original Poster here - not a troll at all. Was asking an honest question. Reason being, the College Counselor was all over the map. Naviance is in a grey area. And Im certainly not going to decide my child's entire future on a chat board - at the same time - I know there are people in the know here. People with prior experience. To those who took my question seriously, thank you. A number of you really helped. Its funny how people think an A- average is terrible these days. Sheesh.

So, non-troll OP, what did your school's counselor tell you? Name the colleges.

Also, each big 3 has multiple counselors. Why don't you ask another one of the counselors for a second opinion. At my kid's big 3, parents are encouraged to talk with other counselors on staff, and not just the assigned counselor.

I smell a fake here.

Counselors often don’t want to see a parent much junior year. Also- the college counselors have a huge work load - they spend a lot of time getting to know each student and their preferences, reviewing essay ideas, cataloging preferences, writing recommendations and getting the teachers to write them as well. At my kids’ private school your child is assigned a college counselor and you don’t go see the other one, no. Some people clearly hire outside counselors but you don’t bother the other school counselors, no.

LOL. This isn't true at all. Assuming we're talking Sidwell, gds and Cathedral schools, all juniors should have assigned counselor and met multiple times. The counselor's main job this spring is getting their 40 or 50 juniors ready to launch. And tell me which Big 3 counselors won't talk to parents other than the parents of assigned kids.

Student meets with them - but the parents?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Original Poster here - not a troll at all. Was asking an honest question. Reason being, the College Counselor was all over the map. Naviance is in a grey area. And Im certainly not going to decide my child's entire future on a chat board - at the same time - I know there are people in the know here. People with prior experience. To those who took my question seriously, thank you. A number of you really helped. Its funny how people think an A- average is terrible these days. Sheesh.

So, non-troll OP, what did your school's counselor tell you? Name the colleges.

Also, each big 3 has multiple counselors. Why don't you ask another one of the counselors for a second opinion. At my kid's big 3, parents are encouraged to talk with other counselors on staff, and not just the assigned counselor.

I smell a fake here.

Counselors often don’t want to see a parent much junior year. Also- the college counselors have a huge work load - they spend a lot of time getting to know each student and their preferences, reviewing essay ideas, cataloging preferences, writing recommendations and getting the teachers to write them as well. At my kids’ private school your child is assigned a college counselor and you don’t go see the other one, no. Some people clearly hire outside counselors but you don’t bother the other school counselors, no.

LOL. This isn't true at all. Assuming we're talking Sidwell, gds and Cathedral schools, all juniors should have assigned counselor and met multiple times. The counselor's main job this spring is getting their 40 or 50 juniors ready to launch. And tell me which Big 3 counselors won't talk to parents other than the parents of assigned kids.

Student meets with them - but the parents?

Yup.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If DC is willing to commit early decision, Penn or Cornell may be possibilities. With good recs, essays, and ECs, DC could probably get into 1-2 of the following: Northwestern, Duke, Chicago, Vanderbilt, Rice, Wash U, Emory, USC, Georgetown, Michigan, or any number of Top 10 SLACs.

Yes, this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apply to as many colleges as possible, you just never know who will accept you, despite high stats..

Not all schools let you apply to as many colleges as possible. Sidwell only lets you apply to 11.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not a dream. Based on having 3 kids go through this in the past 5 years, and seeing where they and their friends ended up.

My kid is a senior at a big 3. Yes. It's a dream. This kid can get into q good school, but think Colby or WashU. Not Ivies or Bowdoin. And not UVA either because it really doesn't give much of a grade break for big 3.

Might be different if a great lax player or a legacy. And full pay will help at some schools. But some of the schools listed here are a pipe dream.

UVA makes clear that it cares more about grades than SAT scores, and I know from personal experience that they mean it. One of my kids (in state) got in off the wait list with a 1260 on the SAT but with very high grades. Many, many of her classmates were denied admission with much higher SATs but lower grades. And she had no hook whatsoever.

1260?

Yes. On a 1600 scale. 630M/630V. This was before the scoring changed a couple of years ago. And to those of you who will say "noooo! she's neeeever get in today!" the point is that when she got in her SAT was below the 25/75 mid-range at UVA. She probably was in the 10th percentile on UVA's SAT scale. And no hook -- non-legacy non-athlete UMC white girl from a NOVA public high school. Was all set to go to an OOS flagship when UVA came calling.