Anonymous wrote:My son just isn't quite strong enough to get into either school. Is the realistic second tier choice Madison or Tech? My son is a junior now. Thanks.

Not on point, but can I really encourage you not to think in terms of second tier? What you're saying (whether to yourself or to your son) is that he already has failed, or isn't "good enough".

The first-tier college is the one which is a right fit for YOUR child in terms of academics, student body, location, price, and other issues that matter. Focusing on the fact that he isn't "good enough" for UVa, makes it seem like wherever he ends up makes him an also ran.

Signed, parent of a wonderful child who applied to all those "second tier" schools but ended up very happy.

Anonymous wrote:depends on the major. Engineering at Virginia Tech is better than at UVa.

i was accepted into engineering at V Tech, but waitlisted at UVA

Anonymous wrote:As a college admissions professional I can say that grades and SATs aren't everything, but do mean quite a bit and grades are more important that SATs in the scheme of things. That said I think the most important this is where does yous child WANT to go? I see so many applications that and the ones that stand out are where the student essays really focus on why the student wants to attend my institution. I doesn't make up for poor grades, but if I have an opening and two equal borderline students I usually will lean towards a student with a meaningful desire to attend my school. (Not an essay obviously written be a parent/professional - I'm looking at you DCUMs!)

can you really tell which ones are written by the parents/professional? I don't work in admissions at all, but I think I'd be able to tell - or at least have suspicions.
So what gives it away?

As a college admissions professional I can say that grades and SATs aren't everything, but do mean quite a bit and grades are more important that SATs in the scheme of things. That said I think the most important this is where does yous child WANT to go? I see so many applications that and the ones that stand out are where the student essays really focus on why the student wants to attend my institution. I doesn't make up for poor grades, but if I have an opening and two equal borderline students I usually will lean towards a student with a meaningful desire to attend my school. (Not an essay obviously written be a parent/professional - I'm looking at you DCUMs!)

Anonymous wrote:Really depends on how well he does on the SAT and whether he has any really interesting ECs such as athletics.

Good SATs, nothing special on the ECs.

I think Mary Washington is a good alternative to W&M and JMU a good alternative to UVA, if you're looking for schools similar in size and student body.

Anonymous wrote:If you (and he) really feel like he truly belongs at UVa or William and Mary, there is the community college option. Two years (with a certain GPA) and guaranteed entrance.

True. And you might be surprised, a kid who does well, but does not have a perfect GPA with a great application filled with impressive accomplishments might get him in. This does occasionally happen, I have seen it done.

I would look into Mary Washington and James Madison.

If you (and he) really feel like he truly belongs at UVa or William and Mary, there is the community college option. Two years (with a certain GPA) and guaranteed entrance.

Also consider Mary Washington. James Madison seem a very solid choice for students in Virginia.

depends on the major. Engineering at Virginia Tech is better than at UVa.

Really depends on how well he does on the SAT and whether he has any really interesting ECs such as athletics.

Anonymous wrote:My son just isn't quite strong enough to get into either school. Is the realistic second tier choice Madison or Tech? My son is a junior now. Thanks.

It depends on how far his credentials are from UVA and W&M. If he's just on the cusp, sure (though no guarantees). If he's far off, aim lower.

Anonymous wrote:My son just isn't quite strong enough to get into either school. Is the realistic second tier choice Madison or Tech? My son is a junior now. Thanks.

More like Old Dominion or Mason

My son just isn't quite strong enough to get into either school. Is the realistic second tier choice Madison or Tech? My son is a junior now. Thanks.