Reply to 1600 SAT, 10 APs, 5 DEs, 5 college math/CS courses. Kid wants UVA ED, but I think they can aim higher?

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Reply to "1600 SAT, 10 APs, 5 DEs, 5 college math/CS courses. Kid wants UVA ED, but I think they can aim higher?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Parent of a Virginia junior looking for honest feedback on ED/EA strategy for a CS/math/AI/engineering kid.

Student has a 1600 SAT, roughly 6 honors courses, 10 APs, 5 dual-enrollment courses, and additional real college-level math/CS through community college. This is beyond the normal AP/DE path: Calculus I/II, Multivariable/Calc III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Discrete Math, and Computer Organization.

They also have a real builder/technical profile: coding projects, AI work, GitHub/portfolio, programming tutoring, project/nonprofit leadership, and external validation from a selective tech/startup-style program.

Student likes UVA a lot and wants to apply Early Decision. We are in-state, and UVA has obvious advantages: cost, prestige, balance, social life, and possible credit transfer.

My concern is that UVA ED may limit them too early. I think they may have a real shot at stronger CS/engineering fits like Georgia Tech, MIT, CMU, Purdue, UIUC, Michigan, Cornell Engineering, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, etc. Georgia Tech especially seems like a strong fit: elite CS/engineering, good value compared with private elites, big-school energy, and likely more balanced/fun than some of the most intense tech schools.

I am not knocking UVA. It may end up being the best overall choice. But would you let a student like this do UVA ED, or push for UVA EA so they can keep Georgia Tech and higher-ranked CS/engineering options open?

Trying to balance "UVA is excellent" with "do not lock in too early if the student may have a real shot above UVA for CS/engineering."[/quote]

lol...slipping Michigan in there[/quote]
Forgot to add GPA: about [b]3.8 unweighted[/b]**, estimated 4.35-4.5 weighted, with the separate community college math/CS courses around an A average so far. Junior year is where there is a noticeable jump in both grades and rigor, including the advanced college coursework.
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This is alarming.  Maybe a more realistic college list?[/quote]

I agree the GPA is the concern, but that was already part of the analysis. The 3.8 UW is the weakness compared with perfect-transcript applicants, so the list absolutely needs realistic options like UVA EA, Virginia Tech EA, and a true safety.

But I do not think "alarming" means the student should stop aiming higher. The 1600 SAT, advanced rigor, college math/CS, upward junior-year trend, builder/AI profile, tutoring, leadership, and strong recommendations outside STEM are the reasons the reach schools stay on the list.

The way it was framed to me was: "This is not a perfect-transcript applicant. It is a high-ability, high-rigor, technical-spike applicant with one clear weakness: earlier grade inconsistency. The 1600 SAT does not erase the GPA, but it strongly supports that the ability is there. The upward trend, advanced college coursework, and external builder evidence are what keep schools like Georgia Tech, Purdue, UIUC, Michigan, Cornell Engineering, CMU, and MIT worth trying, while still keeping UVA/VT/safety as the floor."
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