Can this child get into a top 30 university?

[Anonymous]

DC is a junior who scored 1500 on SAT assessment during his prep class and was in top 1% on PSAT. Will likely end up with 3.8 out of 4.0 by application deadline next year, because he didn't take studies terribly seriously until this year. Has leadership position on an academic team, solid but not top competitor in niche sport, is an Eagle Scout. Isn't taking as many APs as some seem to, but is taking most of the most challenging curriculum -- for example organic biochem instead of AP Chem, will follow AP Calc with linear algebra, etc. Not great in humanities but got a 5 on AP Euro test.

College counseling at his private school provided a first list that is pretty wide-ranging. Can he get accepted into a college that might rank in the top 30 (define that however you want)? If so, which ones? He'd be considered a legacy at two of them.

Thanks for feedback!

[Anonymous]

Those are generally crapshoot schools. Reaches for everyone.

[Anonymous]

An SAT assessment is not a score. PSAT is not considered unless a Merit Finalist. Too early to tell on your question. Schedule the SAT.

[Anonymous]

What might he want to major in? Figure out which top 30s have those majors. Have him apply.

I know kids with basically those stats who got into almost all of the top 30.

Now the details matter. Which private school? What does his SAT score actually turn out to be?

Is it a "leadership" position on the academic team or a LEADERSHIP position that requires national ranking in a hard core STEM subject?

What happens between now and the early decision deadline?

For example, at about this time in his junior year our DS's efforts in the Boy Scouts shot into the stratosphere and helped a huge amount.

He went from a former Senior patrol leader, Eagle scout to "president" (I can't remember what it is called) of his Order of the Arrow chapter, Boy scout state champion in orienteering and accepted to do Rayado at Philmont.

There are lots of things like that. Students do the work as sophomores/juniors and then get rewarded as seniors. Captain on their academic/sports team, relied on by teachers so their recommendations soar, summer internship that really works out and so on.

The thing to keep in mind is that your son has the stats to get his application read at all the top 30. Sure, they might not spend more than 5 minutes reading but if he has done something they are looking for he could easily end up in the pile for serious consideration. Then as long as someone else at his school in that pile hasn't done something the school "has to have" (that is obviously more desirable than DS's best EC) his odds of admissions have gone from <10% to 50 or 60 or 70%.

Our other DS was in that position at 4 top 30s where he was on 4 wait lists. When the top kids from his school enrolled elsewhere, he got into 2.

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

Focus on a good fit school not the ranking.

[Anonymous]

Are you full pay? That doesn’t really matter at the top 10 but will at others.

[Anonymous]

“Can” kid get in? Of course! But many (or even most) deserving kids do not. First caution that practice test and PSAT are not SAT. With two kids as my sample I found it to be completely inaccurate, DD had 1380 practice and barely broke 1200 with 4 attempts (kept trying because were surprised at score). DD had 1300 on PSAT and was one and done on SAT at 1510.) Even assuming the test score is in line there are so many other factors. The best advice is not to look at ranking but look at programs and fit and then looking at best schools within those rails. This very well could include top 30s.

[Anonymous]

Best shot is to be full pay and ED at one of the legacy schools. But only if that school is actually a good fit for the student.

[Anonymous]

Definitely

[Anonymous]

Is he white and UMC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is a junior who scored 1500 on SAT assessment during his prep class and was in top 1% on PSAT. Will likely end up with 3.8 out of 4.0 by application deadline next year, because he didn't take studies terribly seriously until this year. Has leadership position on an academic team, solid but not top competitor in niche sport, is an Eagle Scout. Isn't taking as many APs as some seem to, but is taking most of the most challenging curriculum -- for example organic biochem instead of AP Chem, will follow AP Calc with linear algebra, etc. Not great in humanities but got a 5 on AP Euro test.

College counseling at his private school provided a first list that is pretty wide-ranging. Can he get accepted into a college that might rank in the top 30 (define that however you want)? If so, which ones? He'd be considered a legacy at two of them.

Thanks for feedback!

It if he is Asian.

[Anonymous]

Not if he is Asian.

[Anonymous]

OP should be no problem.



Most schools have alumni and many different types of colleges that is not abnormal.


Depending on the type of private ie, very small, big three, well-known, religious, etc will also factor in.

Full pay is another option. Legacy not so much.

Once he takes the SAT or ACT you will have a better idea where he will be accepted.

[Anonymous]

"Will likely end up with 3.8 out of 4.0 by application deadline next year, because he didn't take studies terribly seriously until this year."

You are nuts.