Anonymous
04/20/2026 16:13
Subject: Do normal smart kids get into ivy and T30 schools?
Anonymous wrote:My kid is similar…but add in some volunteering. My kid got into two T20 and two WASP. Did not apply to any Ivys. We are full pay, so I’m sure that helped.
I’d say the thing to do now is create a story—show things he’s done to support his interests. Helps if he’s done things supporting what he thinks he’s going to major in and/or a big passion.
did your kid have awards? thanks for sharing!
Anonymous
04/20/2026 16:02
Subject: Do normal smart kids get into ivy and T30 schools?
This. I don't know why people keep thinking that there is a distinction between 1500 and 1550. The Harvard lawsuit explained that a 1500+ got the same as a 1600. Getting rejected with a 1500 will not be the reason for the rejection...Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I have a junior who has straight As, highest rigor, 1500+ SAT, 2 varsity sports that he should be captain senior year, summer internships, academic clubs and competitions but no national or international recognition in anything.
He is such a hard working kid. I thought a 1500 would be good enough but he is trying to get 1550 on his SAT. Not sure how big of a difference 1510 or 1550 is.
I have seen some superstar kids get rejected from all the top schools and making me nervous.
My nephew got into Yale (REA) and Harvard (RD) with a 1520. He had a very high (perfect) GPA and took most rigorous curriculum. I really don't think the SAT score going up 20 points here or there mattered. I think once you hit 1500, you clear a bar and it's about the rest of your application - GPA, recommendations, EC/activities, major, jobs, essay, full pay, etc.
I would put the additional energy into the rest of your son's profile, OP rather than wasting time trying to improve the SAT once you've already reached the 99th percentile.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 14:52
Subject: Do normal smart kids get into ivy and T30 schools?
Full of normal kids at UVA
Anonymous
04/20/2026 14:51
Subject: Do normal smart kids get into ivy and T30 schools?
Just make sure your kid is top 2 or 3% of their hs.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 14:41
Subject: Do normal smart kids get into ivy and T30 schools?
Sure schools like UVA, UFlorida, UCLA, UCBerkely, UMichgan, UNC, UCSD, UT-Austin.
For example, UMich in-state accpetance rate is 40% and UCBerkeley has 30% incoming students from transer and many of them from community colleges. Plenty of normal kids.
For example, UMich in-state accpetance rate is 40% and UCBerkeley has 30% incoming students from transer and many of them from community colleges. Plenty of normal kids.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 14:39
Subject: Do normal smart kids get into ivy and T30 schools?
My kid is similar…but add in some volunteering. My kid got into two T20 and two WASP. Did not apply to any Ivys. We are full pay, so I’m sure that helped.
I’d say the thing to do now is create a story—show things he’s done to support his interests. Helps if he’s done things supporting what he thinks he’s going to major in and/or a big passion.
I’d say the thing to do now is create a story—show things he’s done to support his interests. Helps if he’s done things supporting what he thinks he’s going to major in and/or a big passion.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 14:35
Subject: Do normal smart kids get into ivy and T30 schools?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I have a junior who has straight As, highest rigor, 1500+ SAT, 2 varsity sports that he should be captain senior year, summer internships, academic clubs and competitions but no national or international recognition in anything.
He is such a hard working kid. I thought a 1500 would be good enough but he is trying to get 1550 on his SAT. Not sure how big of a difference 1510 or 1550 is.
I have seen some superstar kids get rejected from all the top schools and making me nervous.
My nephew got into Yale (REA) and Harvard (RD) with a 1520. He had a very high (perfect) GPA and took most rigorous curriculum. I really don't think the SAT score going up 20 points here or there mattered. I think once you hit 1500, you clear a bar and it's about the rest of your application - GPA, recommendations, EC/activities, major, jobs, essay, full pay, etc.
I would put the additional energy into the rest of your son's profile, OP rather than wasting time trying to improve the SAT once you've already reached the 99th percentile.
Idk, I know plenty of kids get in with 1520s but if you can score higher I think it increases the odds.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 14:27
Subject: Re:Do normal smart kids get into ivy and T30 schools?
Anonymous wrote:Unhooked. Expect a lot of Ivy WLs, if not flat rejections.
My kids got into every T20 they applied to and each were on 3 Ivy WLs (did not apply to Cornell or Columbia).
^ didn’t take SAT- but one had a 35, other 36 ACT and both 5s on every AP exam.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 14:26
Subject: Do normal smart kids get into ivy and T30 schools?
You will get a boost if full pay.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 14:26
Subject: Do normal smart kids get into ivy and T30 schools?
Anonymous wrote:I have a junior who has straight As, highest rigor, 1500+ SAT, 2 varsity sports that he should be captain senior year, summer internships, academic clubs and competitions but no national or international recognition in anything.
He is such a hard working kid. I thought a 1500 would be good enough but he is trying to get 1550 on his SAT. Not sure how big of a difference 1510 or 1550 is.
I have seen some superstar kids get rejected from all the top schools and making me nervous.
My nephew got into Yale (REA) and Harvard (RD) with a 1520. He had a very high (perfect) GPA and took most rigorous curriculum. I really don't think the SAT score going up 20 points here or there mattered. I think once you hit 1500, you clear a bar and it's about the rest of your application - GPA, recommendations, EC/activities, major, jobs, essay, full pay, etc.
I would put the additional energy into the rest of your son's profile, OP rather than wasting time trying to improve the SAT once you've already reached the 99th percentile.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 14:26
Subject: Re:Do normal smart kids get into ivy and T30 schools?
Unhooked. Expect a lot of Ivy WLs, if not flat rejections.
My kids got into every T20 they applied to and each were on 3 Ivy WLs (did not apply to Cornell or Columbia).
My kids got into every T20 they applied to and each were on 3 Ivy WLs (did not apply to Cornell or Columbia).
Anonymous
04/20/2026 14:26
Subject: Do normal smart kids get into ivy and T30 schools?
DC had high stats and waitlisted to Harvard & Princeton. In at UVA and ND.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 14:24
Subject: Re:Do normal smart kids get into ivy and T30 schools?
Maybe will get into one or two t20s, if lucky. Thats the pattern, I’ve noticed with high achieving kids.
Anonymous
04/20/2026 14:22
Subject: Do normal smart kids get into ivy and T30 schools?
Ivy/top 10 is a lottery. Your kid is good enough to punch a ticket for that lottery. Not everyone is. But it's still a long shot. For everyone.
T20-t30 is more likely. Especially if you are aiming for a state flagship and you live in that state
T20-t30 is more likely. Especially if you are aiming for a state flagship and you live in that state
Anonymous
04/20/2026 14:05
Subject: Do normal smart kids get into ivy and T30 schools?
I have a junior who has straight As, highest rigor, 1500+ SAT, 2 varsity sports that he should be captain senior year, summer internships, academic clubs and competitions but no national or international recognition in anything.
He is such a hard working kid. I thought a 1500 would be good enough but he is trying to get 1550 on his SAT. Not sure how big of a difference 1510 or 1550 is.
I have seen some superstar kids get rejected from all the top schools and making me nervous.
He is such a hard working kid. I thought a 1500 would be good enough but he is trying to get 1550 on his SAT. Not sure how big of a difference 1510 or 1550 is.
I have seen some superstar kids get rejected from all the top schools and making me nervous.