For WM, the GPA is below 25%, SAT is 25-50%. I’d submit the scores. Even better if you can superscore it up a bit. But to stand a shot at getting in, your kid needs to ED, demonstrate interest like crazy, interview and take the supplemental app seriously. I has a white female get in ED with a similar GPA but 75% ACTs and the above strategy. Your kids scores are lower, but male applicants have an advantage at WM. So, it’s possible.

Neither the GPA nor the SAT are competitive for an unhooked white kid RD. That’s just reality. So many of DD’s friends 8in the 4.3-4-4 range and SATs at or near 34/1500 were locked out RD. They do seem to value high test scores. But 1380 isn’t really that high for WM

Also, DD was just home for fall break, and was talking about the trials and travails of her friends applying for the “B school” (she is not applying). DD did just declare an IR/ Global Studies double major. Both also required application but it was an informal— you’re on track with your language, passed the intro Econ classes, passed the Gov gate class, you may proceed type thing. Mostly to ensure the pre-recs were there to graduate on time and the double major was realistic.

The business school is not that. It’s competitive admission sophomore year, I think you get two shots, once each semester sophomore year (if you come in with APs and have the pre-recs to declare fall of sophomore year). Then, it’s transfer or declare a major like Econ.

Demand outpaces supply for Business school seats, and kids getting into WM, getting “goods grades’” and not getting in to the Business school is a real problem.

Now, “good grades” is subjective. So when parents or my kid says kids aren’t getting in with good grades, who knows what GPA that is. But, it’s definitely happening.

Some business school are direct admit going in. Honestly, I don’t love how WM does it but my knowledge is based mostly on freaked out parents on the parents page and chatting with my kid. So, be aware going in that getting a WM admit and getting “good grades” in the pre-recs does not guarantee acceptance into the Business school.

Anonymous wrote:I agree with a previous poster that this system is broken. The gamesmanship just cannot be what schools intended with test-optional. My son also has a 1380, which is why I clicked on this, and he is submitting it everywhere. It’s a good score and he worked hard for it. A school that would reject him KNOWING that many test-optional students didn’t score nearly as well is really not a school worth going to.

?? I readily agree that test optional gamesmanship is an unfortuate development and can cause kids (and parents) too much stress. But there are several legitimmate reasons that a child might be rejected apart from submitting an SAT score of 1380. The OP's child, for example, has a GPA that is below the 25th percentile for both UVA and W&M.

I agree with a previous poster that this system is broken. The gamesmanship just cannot be what schools intended with test-optional. My son also has a 1380, which is why I clicked on this, and he is submitting it everywhere. It’s a good score and he worked hard for it. A school that would reject him KNOWING that many test-optional students didn’t score nearly as well is really not a school worth going to.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given GPA isn’t super high, I’d submit.

NP: At what weighted GPA (& higher) would you consider not submitting the 1380?

My district weights differently than FCPS so I’m not as certain but maybe 4.3 or 4.4. Definitely study your Scattergrams. W&M at least seems to really want scores so I would submit there, especially for a male within range.

The fact that kids have to stress over this kind of question is one more illustration that the system is broken. This kid's score is good enough for any of these schools, but now its a game about whether the college will ding him if they feel like it will pull down the average they want to report (as opposed to the average they actually have in the freshman class). They will admit kids with this score and lower, but a lot of them won't be reported, and no one knows where the line is drawn for submitting.

This university image game should not be a problem universities put on the shoulders of the kids.

Anonymous wrote:Given GPA isn’t super high, I’d submit.

Adding caveat, assuming math score isn’t terrible given business major.

Anonymous wrote:Given GPA isn’t super high, I’d submit.

NP: At what weighted GPA (& higher) would you consider not submitting the 1380?

Anonymous wrote:Female?

STEM major?

White male, business major

Given GPA isn’t super high, I’d submit.

Anonymous wrote:What is the 25th percentile at those schools?

It is about the 25th percentile for uva and wm, and about the 50th for tech.

Female?

STEM major?

Anonymous wrote:at what school is 1380 in the 90% ?

Overall in the country, 1380 is 92nd percentile, according to the College Board site.

What is the 25th percentile at those schools?

at what school is 1380 in the 90% ?

Would you submit SAT for the following schools:

UVA
W&M
VA Tech

White male, Business major. (Pre business for uva).

I know these are reach schools btw.

Based on <50 percentile I would not, but 1380 is in the 92nd percentile overall and I don’t want them to think it’s like an 1100 if he doesnt submit.