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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I heard from one admissions person (not an elite school) that they are very cautious with kids who have strong test scores but lower grades. She said it means the kid can do better than they are. She said they try to find out what is holding the kid back (lack of motivation? effort? distractions?)  I am not accusing your child of any of those things. Just saying this person said they considered that combination riskier than the alternative (i.e. high grades, low test scores).  Because the latter kids has figured out some formula for succeeding academically.[/quote]

I thought this kid was in the top 25% of his/her private school class. And the top 15% are probably going to Ivies, so this is just a notch below. Seems like this is hardly cause for concern and colleges should be familiar with the grading profile of the Big 3 schools.

OP you just need to listen to the college counselor.[/quote]

I agree with the earlier poster that something doesn't add up here. I'm sure some college will be willing to take a risk, [b]but there needs to be some good excuse for this poor performance. 
[/b]
Might be good to look through Colleges that Change Lives and find a school that could work for your child and meet his challenges.

Good luck op. Remember that there is a good fit for each child. [/quote]

Poor performance?  Do you have a child in a top 3 college-prep private school in the DC area?  I know for sure you don't.  This isn't MCPS where you show up to class that is called honors (AKA, non-remedial) and get a 79.5 and an 89.5 and we will give you an A and a 5.0 on your GPA.  These schools are top of the line in the country. Tons of applications and waitlists every year. The top 10% are all going to Ivy or compatible.  The top 25% are also going to top 25 or somewhere they truly wanted to get into for their grades.  A 3.65 UW GPA and a 1580 SAT is wonderful.  Even the OP is slightly disappointed.  These kids have to work their butts off for A's.  No one is giving out easy A's in these schools.  Tons of written papers that your teachers will rip to shreds, oral presentations, HARKNESS grades, group presentations, labs, tests, and quizzes. Zeros are given and there are no public school retakes allowed to better your score.  None of which are curved and most classes are "considered" college level, but these schools don't weigh grades to show that.  Most don't have AP or weighted GPA's because of it, but many kids sit and pass the AP tests. Most don't have + and - grades on their GPA.  So an 89 is a straight-up 3.0.

So can we please stop bashing kids for unweighted GPA's at top schools that give out A's only if you TRULY deserve it?  The kid is smart.  He didn't have a poor performance.  He has more A's than B's with an UWGPA like this and he kept up with his classmates and worked super hard.  Who cares if he doesn't get into a top 25 school.  Can we stop ridiculing these teens for good grades?  High school is so much harder than it ever was when we were teens.  They study and work harder than any of us every did. They do more volunteering and EC's than any of us did.   Give the kid a break.  OP, be proud of him.  No one is getting a 1580 on a SAT unless they are highly intelligent.  Make a list of 3 reaches, 3-4 targets, and 3-4 safeties.  Make sure he truly loves the safeties.  Wherever he ends up, and honestly who cares, he will do absolutely fantastic.  Let the kids be happy and healthy.  We are literally sucking the happiness out of teens "to get them into a great college."  Just stop [/quote]

Thank you - Im the original poster and am grateful for your post.  Im not disappointed in the slightest.  DC is well adjusted and happy and thats what matters the most.  Again, thank you.[/quote]

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