Look, our experience is admittedly a little dated but UVA has always said that grades and courses are the most important factor and our experience bears that out. Two of my kids got in (in state) with lower than average SAT scores but excellent grades. Our youngest had SAT scores in the mid 1200s -- more than 100 points below the mean back then -- but 11 APs and well over a 4.0 weighted GPA. Neither of the kids had over-the-top extras and they were completely unhooked UMC white kids.

A 1430 is unquestionably good enough. You really need to focus on other aspects of the application.

My similar white female DC, GPA over 4.3 rigorous course load, sports-playing, excellent essays, legacy, who overcame a significant disability to do well at school did not get in. According to Naviance for our school, she should have. A lot of other students at our school who had expectations based on Naviance were disappointed this year.

Of course.

Try all of the following:

1) maintain the 10% ranking at a minimum
2) apply ED
3) have excellent, standout aka memorable essays
4) make sure the recommendation letters reflect her desire to attend UVA and be STEM focused
5) apply as a female engineer to the E-school

1430 is on the low end of the SAT UVA is looking for, sorry. But she can turn this into a possible yes given the above. It is worth a shot if she has her heart set on it, make sure it comes through the essay.

Good luck.

As others have said, GPA is going to matter, especially in-state. My white, unhooked, a couple of long term ECs, 1440 SAT, 4.1 GPA in fairly rigorous classes kid got deferred EA and rejected RD. We expected that because no matter what Dean J insists on her blog, UVA definitely seems to have a GPA threshold (and it's close to 4.4 for our HS according to Naviance).

I bet she could get in as woman in STEM.

GPA and class rank are more important to UVA in state at least. The SAT is solid and will not be a hinderance if the rest is there. My DS had a 1380 and got in but he was in the top 2% of his class with an incredibly high GPA (just not a test taker).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter just received her August SAT Score, which was a 1430. She has her heart set on UVA. Is a 1430 a good enought score for a white female, unhooked female with ho hum extracurriculars, but very good grades and a challenging course load?

Do you have access to Naviance? If so, it’s your best data on acceptances from your school.

Not really reliable though. For many public schools, Naviance is self-reported by students. Kids do better job reporting accepts than rejects.

Uva is pretty adamant about rigor and grades being the most important factor. I don’t think you can predict admissions chances off SAT for them.

Are you in state?

Apply ED

In state? Uva cares a lot about gpa. Look at naviance for her school. My kid has a higher sat than yours but is below the approximately 4.35 gpa cutoff so won’t get in.

Anonymous wrote:My daughter just received her August SAT Score, which was a 1430. She has her heart set on UVA. Is a 1430 a good enought score for a white female, unhooked female with ho hum extracurriculars, but very good grades and a challenging course load?

Do you have access to Naviance? If so, it’s your best data on acceptances from your school.

It’s good enough that it won’t keep her out. Not clear that raising it will help get her in though. Plenty of kids with higher scores don’t get in and there are kids with lower scores that do. So doesn’t just come down to SAT.

My daughter just received her August SAT Score, which was a 1430. She has her heart set on UVA. Is a 1430 a good enought score for a white female, unhooked female with ho hum extracurriculars, but very good grades and a challenging course load?