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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Having such a high SAT score with a relatively low GPA makes him look low effort. [/quote]

I agree with this statement.  It makes him look like a "good test taker" except that he likely didn't prepare for his tests in classes.  Aren't there remedy pathways to correct low grades?  I'm estimating that the OP's kid had a couple of Cs on his transcript to have a 3.58 gpa.  I thought there's a way to fix these types of grades at nova high schools--am I wrong?[/quote]

[b]A 3.58uw is a mix of As and Bs. Sure, there could be a C in there, but 3.58 is a solid A/B student, which is pretty good in most places outside of NOVA, MCPS "W" schools[/b] and other wealthy pressure-cooker communities. As one PP said, 95% of schools would've accepted OP's kid, but he only applied to reach schools + two safeties. No targets. 
[/quote]

And the bolded is exactly the problem and why kids/families are surprised.  Solid A/B students are now getting rejected from schools that just a year ago or few years ago were targets.  Not everyone can be a straight A student taking the highest rigor, while maintaining a job and three extracurricular activities and a notable research project. An admissions per was just the other day giving band activities low weight for extracurricular while acknowledging how time consuming it is and how much outside practice was required and noting that it takes a lot to stand out.

We have lost the plot.  What are we asking from kids at this point? No wonder they are burned out and having mental health issues. [/quote]

It has been this way since at least 2020 so it is unfortunately it is not new. I blame the high schools first due to grade inflation, though I understand that is a nationwide problem.  Secondly, most of them wait until junior year to start counseling the students and trying to rein in expectations in terms of college lists.  The main thing students (and parents) get from using an external consultant is cool hard truth.  The cold hard truth is class rank, max rigor with A's, perhpas a B or two in 9th or 10th grade, but not junior year, EC's with impact (leadership, awards etc) is what it takes to have a shot at T30 and even with all of that it is just a chance as there are far more kids who have all of that than there are spots for them.  The upside of this is that there are dozens of other colleges that are great where those students can and will thrive. [/quote]
But there is a big difference between T30 and VCU, GMU level schools.  How does a kid with a 4.0 and high SAT score only get into those schools? [/quote]

The kid doesn’t have a 4.0. OP said he has a 4.1W. [/quote]

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