Why in the world would ODU be in and VCU out? ODU is a poor man’s VCU in every single way and is a likely admit. It’s also a stronger school academically than CNU notwithstanding that it’s easier to get into.

So far as I’m concerned, when the Big Three (UVA, Tech, W&M) are out, VCU is the way to go.

I have a kid at VT. Non stem, and even then it's an incredible amount of work. Reading 100 pages a night kind of work. Could your kid hack the workload?

Anonymous wrote:JMU and VT are not reaches. JMU is a safety. VT somewhere in between a safety and a reach.

VT is actually incredibly competitive. You're applying to a major there. There's lots of competition.

Yes, JMU has become a tough admit for a 3.5 GPA, especially depending on what HS you'd be coming from.

Anonymous wrote:JMU and VT are not reaches. JMU is a safety. VT somewhere in between a safety and a reach.

Tech has become a reach for many many kids. My son has a 4.2 GPA, 33 ACT, 13 APs, captain of varsity rugby, took every imaginable math class available at his high school (linear algebar and multivariable calc) and was waitlisted for physics. And this was considered his safety school but I think whoever reviewed his application saw his track and thought, yeah, this kid is engineering so waitlisted. If you claim Latin or fisheries for a major, you stand a chance.

Jmu is a reach for a 3.5w in nova. They have had their applications double in the past 3 years due to being on the common app among other things.

There was a post on this a while back let me find it.

JMU and VT are not reaches. JMU is a safety. VT somewhere in between a safety and a reach.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where is your 3.5 (weighted) GPA kid going to school? What are they studying?

If DC is lucky, they might end up with a 3.5. They want a school with a rah-rah spirit but the VA options (JMU, Tech and UVA) are a huge reach.

What schools should they consider? Please don't recommend Mason, VCU or UMW. Those schools are out.

Are ODU and CNU our best bet? Will WVU give merit for a low 3.something GPA?

So you would consider OOS? You already eliminated 6 in-state options. WVU would give merit. Also ECU, App St and CCU.

OP here--we would consider OOS if we can bring cost to a relatively similar place. Is that even possible with a 3.5 GPA?

Have you been on WVU's site? They have auto scholarships.
https://www.wvu.edu/admissions/scholarships/first-time-freshmen

CCU provides a profile of recipients
https://www.coastal.edu/meritawards/meritawardprofiles/

ECU has a 95% acceptance rate.

UVA and VT are definitely not happening, try to get the SAT as high as possible for JMU. After JMU there is no true “rah rah” option in VA. Yes, places like CNU and Roanoke have some spirit, but it’s different at a small college. Therefore you have to look out of state or sacrifice rah rah in state. Therefore following out of state rah rah schools will give your kid merit:

WVU
ECU
U Alabama
U Kentucky
Ole Miss
Coastal Carolina
Mississippi State

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where is your 3.5 (weighted) GPA kid going to school? What are they studying?

If DC is lucky, they might end up with a 3.5. They want a school with a rah-rah spirit but the VA options (JMU, Tech and UVA) are a huge reach.

What schools should they consider? Please don't recommend Mason, VCU or UMW. Those schools are out.

Are ODU and CNU our best bet? Will WVU give merit for a low 3.something GPA?

So you would consider OOS? You already eliminated 6 in-state options. WVU would give merit. Also ECU, App St and CCU.

OP here--we would consider OOS if we can bring cost to a relatively similar place. Is that even possible with a 3.5 GPA?

Anonymous wrote:Where is your 3.5 (weighted) GPA kid going to school? What are they studying?

If DC is lucky, they might end up with a 3.5. They want a school with a rah-rah spirit but the VA options (JMU, Tech and UVA) are a huge reach.

What schools should they consider? Please don't recommend Mason, VCU or UMW. Those schools are out.

Are ODU and CNU our best bet? Will WVU give merit for a low 3.something GPA?

So you would consider OOS? You already eliminated 6 in-state options. WVU would give merit. Also ECU, App St and CCU.

Look at Radford, Longwood, and ODU.

I think CNU is your best bet. All the kids I know who've gone love it!

Where is your 3.5 (weighted) GPA kid going to school? What are they studying?

If DC is lucky, they might end up with a 3.5. They want a school with a rah-rah spirit but the VA options (JMU, Tech and UVA) are a huge reach.

What schools should they consider? Please don't recommend Mason, VCU or UMW. Those schools are out.

Are ODU and CNU our best bet? Will WVU give merit for a low 3.something GPA?