VA Colleges

[Anonymous]

If your student sees the VA schools as "top selection" and "bottom selection", and is not interested in what they see as the bottom selection (even if it is not the bottom, and you and I know that, but the student is not accepting of the other selections as options for which to apply), what alternatives might there be? This seems like a broad question, but I have seen some students over the past couple years be left out in the cold, and we are trying to avoid that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your student sees the VA schools as "top selection" and "bottom selection", and is not interested in what they see as the bottom selection (even if it is not the bottom, and you and I know that, but the student is not accepting of the other selections as options for which to apply), what alternatives might there be? This seems like a broad question, but I have seen some students over the past couple years be left out in the cold, and we are trying to avoid that.

If after a realistic look at the data, they aren't interested in attending any of the schools that are a fit, then I'd say their option is NVCC and then transfer to the school they consider acceptable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your student sees the VA schools as "top selection" and "bottom selection", and is not interested in what they see as the bottom selection (even if it is not the bottom, and you and I know that, but the student is not accepting of the other selections as options for which to apply), what alternatives might there be? This seems like a broad question, but I have seen some students over the past couple years be left out in the cold, and we are trying to avoid that.

If after a realistic look at the data, they aren't interested in attending any of the schools that are a fit, then I'd say their option is NVCC and then transfer to the school they consider acceptable.

What are the schools on the east coast that would be comparable, if VA had these schools? Their stats are well outside of NVCC, JMU, etc., but under UVA.

[Anonymous]

Is cost a factor? It yes, NVCC and get your ass in gear. If not, it might be helpful to know what schools you're talking about if you're asking for comparisons. (Yes, I know that could devolve fairly quickly.)

[Anonymous]

Depending on where child's stats fall for percentiles, perhaps many of the not-the-top-but-still-good LACs. Many offer significant merit aid if you are above-average but still offer a challenging curriculum. This would bring the cost near to cost of in-state, if money is also a factor for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your student sees the VA schools as "top selection" and "bottom selection", and is not interested in what they see as the bottom selection (even if it is not the bottom, and you and I know that, but the student is not accepting of the other selections as options for which to apply), what alternatives might there be? This seems like a broad question, but I have seen some students over the past couple years be left out in the cold, and we are trying to avoid that.

If after a realistic look at the data, they aren't interested in attending any of the schools that are a fit, then I'd say their option is NVCC and then transfer to the school they consider acceptable.

What are the schools on the east coast that would be comparable, if VA had these schools? Their stats are well outside of NVCC, JMU, etc., but under UVA.

You are implying there is some kind of huge gap between JMU and UVA. I don't think that is accurate. Are you saying the student feels that way? If so, they need to pull up all the available data and get a reality check. (See also huge thread on VA Tech admissions, and the discussions on CNU and George Mason.)

Any student that has their heart set on UVA is just not being realistic, and maybe this reality is what they need on the road to adulthood. There are some schools (SLAC or neighboring OOS universities like UWV) that could end up being comparable in cost, but yes, the student absolutely needs to apply to more than UVA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your student sees the VA schools as "top selection" and "bottom selection", and is not interested in what they see as the bottom selection (even if it is not the bottom, and you and I know that, but the student is not accepting of the other selections as options for which to apply), what alternatives might there be? This seems like a broad question, but I have seen some students over the past couple years be left out in the cold, and we are trying to avoid that.

If after a realistic look at the data, they aren't interested in attending any of the schools that are a fit, then I'd say their option is NVCC and then transfer to the school they consider acceptable.

What are the schools on the east coast that would be comparable, if VA had these schools? Their stats are well outside of NVCC, JMU, etc., but under UVA.

You are implying there is some kind of huge gap between JMU and UVA. I don't think that is accurate. Are you saying the student feels that way? If so, they need to pull up all the available data and get a reality check. (See also huge thread on VA Tech admissions, and the discussions on CNU and George Mason.)

Any student that has their heart set on UVA is just not being realistic, and maybe this reality is what they need on the road to adulthood. There are some schools (SLAC or neighboring OOS universities like UWV) that could end up being comparable in cost, but yes, the student absolutely needs to apply to more than UVA.

This. If a kid thinks UVA is the only acceptable in-state school and doesn't have the stats for it, they need a big reality check.

[Anonymous]

It's hard to determine your question. I think you and your student need to understand Reach and Match (safety) schools. This is determined primarily by SAT scores and GPA. The Common Date Set for each school (google it) will give you an idea of where your student lies. Beware that Reach schools are never a sure bet. Guide your child's list to have more safeties than reaches.

[Anonymous]

University of Delaware is one to consider

[Anonymous]

St Mary's of Maryland.

VCU is a solid option, particularly if biology and/or health sciences is of interest.

[Anonymous]

All of the VA colleges are here: http://research.schev.edu//enrollment/B10_FreshmenProfile.asp (Although a couple colleges, including JMU, don't have their 2018-2019 stats in yet)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your student sees the VA schools as "top selection" and "bottom selection", and is not interested in what they see as the bottom selection (even if it is not the bottom, and you and I know that, but the student is not accepting of the other selections as options for which to apply), what alternatives might there be? This seems like a broad question, but I have seen some students over the past couple years be left out in the cold, and we are trying to avoid that.

If after a realistic look at the data, they aren't interested in attending any of the schools that are a fit, then I'd say their option is NVCC and then transfer to the school they consider acceptable.

What are the schools on the east coast that would be comparable, if VA had these schools? Their stats are well outside of NVCC, JMU, etc., but under UVA.

You are implying there is some kind of huge gap between JMU and UVA. I don't think that is accurate. Are you saying the student feels that way? If so, they need to pull up all the available data and get a reality check. (See also huge thread on VA Tech admissions, and the discussions on CNU and George Mason.)

Any student that has their heart set on UVA is just not being realistic, and maybe this reality is what they need on the road to adulthood. There are some schools (SLAC or neighboring OOS universities like UWV) that could end up being comparable in cost, but yes, the student absolutely needs to apply to more than UVA.

This. If a kid thinks UVA is the only acceptable in-state school and doesn't have the stats for it, they need a big reality check.

No. Using UVA as an example only. Point being there seems a large disparity between the (approx. 2) groups of schools. I think you know that, but like to argue minutiae, and try to waste people's time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your student sees the VA schools as "top selection" and "bottom selection", and is not interested in what they see as the bottom selection (even if it is not the bottom, and you and I know that, but the student is not accepting of the other selections as options for which to apply), what alternatives might there be? This seems like a broad question, but I have seen some students over the past couple years be left out in the cold, and we are trying to avoid that.

If after a realistic look at the data, they aren't interested in attending any of the schools that are a fit, then I'd say their option is NVCC and then transfer to the school they consider acceptable.

What are the schools on the east coast that would be comparable, if VA had these schools? Their stats are well outside of NVCC, JMU, etc., but under UVA.

You are implying there is some kind of huge gap between JMU and UVA. I don't think that is accurate. Are you saying the student feels that way? If so, they need to pull up all the available data and get a reality check. (See also huge thread on VA Tech admissions, and the discussions on CNU and George Mason.)

Any student that has their heart set on UVA is just not being realistic, and maybe this reality is what they need on the road to adulthood. There are some schools (SLAC or neighboring OOS universities like UWV) that could end up being comparable in cost, but yes, the student absolutely needs to apply to more than UVA.

There's not actually a huge gap. But, anyway, if the stats are lower than UVA but higher than JMU, I'm guessing that means a bit above a 4.0, 1300ish SAT? So, in state probably a match for VA Tech (unless applying Engineering). At those scores, can be challenging with privates that engage in yield protection. Those who are getting shut out everywhere are probably due to that so you want some schools that are more stats-driven like the other public U flagship campuses.

This. If a kid thinks UVA is the only acceptable in-state school and doesn't have the stats for it, they need a big reality check.

No. Using UVA as an example only. Point being there seems a large disparity between the (approx. 2) groups of schools. I think you know that, but like to argue minutiae, and try to waste people's time.

[Anonymous]

^^^ that got messed up...

There's not actually a huge gap. But, anyway, if the stats are lower than UVA but higher than JMU, I'm guessing that means a bit above a 4.0, 1300ish SAT? So, in state probably a match for VA Tech (unless applying Engineering). At those scores, can be challenging with privates that engage in yield protection. Those who are getting shut out everywhere are probably due to that so you want some schools that are more stats-driven like the other public U flagship campuses.

[Anonymous]

What are the schools on the east coast that would be comparable, if VA had these schools? Their stats are well outside of NVCC, JMU, etc., but under UVA.

Nice that you put NVCC and JMU in the same bucket there. The gap between these two is much greater than the gap between JMU and UVA.

To answer your question, there are plenty of public universities on the East Coast that are easier to get into than UVA and W&M - basically anything but UNC. Look at UMD, Pitt, Vermont, Delaware, Penn State, Florida, Georgia, Rutgers, UMass, NC State, Ohio State if you can head slightly west. If you are looking for schools that will cost the same as Virginia in-state, you may need to look beyond flagships and private schools, or somewhere other than the east coast.

My DC with "not good enough for UVA stats" (34 ACT, 4.0wgpa) is deciding between JMU (the horror) and UMD with a $12K scholarship. He never considered applying to the "good" VA schools (not a good choice for his major).