Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to MIT with that score...

Did you have a hook or two? Were you full-pay? That doesn't hurt.

I had a national award, leadership positions, volunteer work and a 4.0, top 5 in the school. I was not full pay but didn't receive that much in aid and got scholarships to cover that aid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to MIT with that score...

Did you have a hook or two? Were you full-pay? That doesn't hurt.

No, I bet different generation. Maybe in 70s or early 80s.

At the top they are need blind so how is full pay a difference?

Anonymous wrote:At our particular public HS, most kids get rejected from top 30 schools despite being above 75th. I said most, not all, so not trying to discourage your DD from applying. My DD’s friend had 35 on ACT, all As, 10 APs (only 6 when scored by time college applications due, one 4 and rest 5s) and was a highly ranked athlete but not wanting to continue in college. She was waitlisted across the Board—Duke, Vanderbilt, Michigan, Chapel Hill, Hopkins and Cornell. She is very happy at her full ride state school. Just prepare for disappointment, it is insane but the admissions at top schools is somewhat of a lottery.

It's a lottery but with the virus, 2021 might be slightly different. At top level, competition is still fierce, but I am guessing the chances are slightly better, especially for full pay students.

Anonymous wrote:Yale, rice,jhu, vandy

Cornell and Michigan as safeties

Not unless your last name is Yale, Rice, Hopkins or Vandebuilt. Sure if she falls in love with a top tier school and wants to go through the effort of applying go for it but she will be competing with 1590's, kids that hold patents, took 10 APs and a few actual college classes.

Anonymous wrote:I went to MIT with that score...

Did you have a hook or two? Were you full-pay? That doesn't hurt.

I went to MIT with that score...

Sorry to say that is really a meh score if she is aiming high. 5 APs is not impressive no matter the scores. Rather than turning this thread into a bit*hing thread, i suggest make sure to have enough safeties on her list

First off congratulations to your DD and good luck- with those scores she should try to apply wherever she wants.

Grades are important to. If in VA, UVA or W&M; VT for STEM. Assuming the grades match the SATs. (4.3+ W).

If MD, same schools, but more money.

At our particular public HS, most kids get rejected from top 30 schools despite being above 75th. I said most, not all, so not trying to discourage your DD from applying. My DD’s friend had 35 on ACT, all As, 10 APs (only 6 when scored by time college applications due, one 4 and rest 5s) and was a highly ranked athlete but not wanting to continue in college. She was waitlisted across the Board—Duke, Vanderbilt, Michigan, Chapel Hill, Hopkins and Cornell. She is very happy at her full ride state school. Just prepare for disappointment, it is insane but the admissions at top schools is somewhat of a lottery.

Congrats to your dd and her great score and sorry her counselor was a bit of a sourpuss. That score is high enough to not be a barrier to any school (although a bit below average For the most most selective, reach reachy-reach schools.) Remember that at the most selective schools the scores don’t get you in, they just don’t keep you out. You can find 25th to 75th percentile scores for every school out there and see were 1490 Falls, obviously the closer it falls to 75th percentile the better off she is. But if she’s interested the most competitive school she really needs to be thinking about the other components of her application now, the “story” it tells about her as an applicant. This year especially, the significance of standardized testing is likely to be way less than in the past with all the challenges.

Anonymous wrote:Yale, rice,jhu, vandy

Cornell and Michigan as safeties

Huh, Cornell/Michigan as a safety?

Yale, rice,jhu, vandy

Cornell and Michigan as safeties

Ok, my DC was ecstatic she earned a 1490. Went to college counselor who was meh. Said, most of her choice schools were still reach for her and suggested to retake the exam. That's all well and good but with Covid, I just don't think we can do it again. She's all As. Has taken 5 APs - scores all 5s, one 4. One she did not take the exam. Captain of sports team. Other extracurriculars - nice but not huge. What are the best schools you think she could get into?