Anonymous
01/21/2026 08:18
Subject: Low gpa strong SAT with strong math focus
I suggest visiting some of the universities mentioned here and talking with professors about the academic opportunities, opportunities to meet major requirements using the grad level version of the courses, etc.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Then she's in a good spot, as PhD admissions in math is mostly about your (ideally graduate-level) math background, letters of recommendation, and research experience. Certain schools are very strong at the graduate level while not being super selective at the undergrad level - Stony Brook might be the most extreme example, but realistically she should be fine at any of the R1s publics mentioned in my previous comment - OSU, NCSU, UGA, etc. as they are often flexible with students taking grad level courses early.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP, what are her goals? Graduate school, the job market? What is the financial situation?
She wants to pursue a PhD. We are very comfortable financially. -op
Does a particular area of math interest her? What area has her research been in?
Her research was in Number Theory.
What's her pure math background? Has she studied any advanced math like advanced calculus, proof-based linear algebra, etc. ?
Anonymous
01/21/2026 08:14
Subject: Low gpa strong SAT with strong math focus
Your kid was a girl who go in to one of ross, promys, canada/usa, sumac?Anonymous wrote:This was 2 years ago but my similar stat kid (3.3 GPA 1560 SAT) was rejected by every reach and target they applied to, including CMU, Hopkins, UVA, VaTech, and Purdue. Please talk to a college counselor and apply to at least three true safeties.
Anonymous
01/21/2026 08:06
Subject: Low gpa strong SAT with strong math focus
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Then she's in a good spot, as PhD admissions in math is mostly about your (ideally graduate-level) math background, letters of recommendation, and research experience. Certain schools are very strong at the graduate level while not being super selective at the undergrad level - Stony Brook might be the most extreme example, but realistically she should be fine at any of the R1s publics mentioned in my previous comment - OSU, NCSU, UGA, etc. as they are often flexible with students taking grad level courses early.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP, what are her goals? Graduate school, the job market? What is the financial situation?
She wants to pursue a PhD. We are very comfortable financially. -op
Does a particular area of math interest her? What area has her research been in?
Her research was in Number Theory.
Private HS? Have you met with the counseling team?
Anonymous
01/21/2026 08:01
Subject: Low gpa strong SAT with strong math focus
Anonymous wrote:Then she's in a good spot, as PhD admissions in math is mostly about your (ideally graduate-level) math background, letters of recommendation, and research experience. Certain schools are very strong at the graduate level while not being super selective at the undergrad level - Stony Brook might be the most extreme example, but realistically she should be fine at any of the R1s publics mentioned in my previous comment - OSU, NCSU, UGA, etc. as they are often flexible with students taking grad level courses early.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP, what are her goals? Graduate school, the job market? What is the financial situation?
She wants to pursue a PhD. We are very comfortable financially. -op
Does a particular area of math interest her? What area has her research been in?
Her research was in Number Theory.
Anonymous
01/21/2026 07:59
Subject: Low gpa strong SAT with strong math focus
Then she's in a good spot, as PhD admissions in math is mostly about your (ideally graduate-level) math background, letters of recommendation, and research experience. Certain schools are very strong at the graduate level while not being super selective at the undergrad level - Stony Brook might be the most extreme example, but realistically she should be fine at any of the R1s publics mentioned in my previous comment - OSU, NCSU, UGA, etc. as they are often flexible with students taking grad level courses early.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP, what are her goals? Graduate school, the job market? What is the financial situation?
She wants to pursue a PhD. We are very comfortable financially. -op
Does a particular area of math interest her? What area has her research been in?
Anonymous
01/21/2026 07:42
Subject: Low gpa strong SAT with strong math focus
Anonymous wrote:This was 2 years ago but my similar stat kid (3.3 GPA 1560 SAT) was rejected by every reach and target they applied to, including CMU, Hopkins, UVA, VaTech, and Purdue. Please talk to a college counselor and apply to at least three true safeties.
Did they apply ED to CMU?
Anonymous
01/20/2026 23:55
Subject: Low gpa strong SAT with strong math focus
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP, what are her goals? Graduate school, the job market? What is the financial situation?
She wants to pursue a PhD. We are very comfortable financially. -op
Do you have any other preferences on schools? vibe? Location?
Other than mid to large settings, she is flexible. Wants to stay in the US. I wish she would explore LACs or Uk but she is not interested.
What geo area are you in?
I think Ingenius Prep specializes in cases like this - maybe do a feee consult? I suspect a IEC with a national profile and large volume of data will be more helpful
To you than most.
I’d look at your school’s specific data for UChicago.
Also look at UMiami and Wake.
Anonymous
01/20/2026 23:41
Subject: Low gpa strong SAT with strong math focus
Anonymous wrote:This was 2 years ago but my similar stat kid (3.3 GPA 1560 SAT) was rejected by every reach and target they applied to, including CMU, Hopkins, UVA, VaTech, and Purdue. Please talk to a college counselor and apply to at least three true safeties.
Finally a useful post.
Anonymous
01/20/2026 23:38
Subject: Low gpa strong SAT with strong math focus
This was 2 years ago but my similar stat kid (3.3 GPA 1560 SAT) was rejected by every reach and target they applied to, including CMU, Hopkins, UVA, VaTech, and Purdue. Please talk to a college counselor and apply to at least three true safeties.
Anonymous
01/20/2026 23:33
Subject: Low gpa strong SAT with strong math focus
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP, what are her goals? Graduate school, the job market? What is the financial situation?
She wants to pursue a PhD. We are very comfortable financially. -op
Do you have any other preferences on schools? vibe? Location?
Other than mid to large settings, she is flexible. Wants to stay in the US. I wish she would explore LACs or Uk but she is not interested.
Anonymous
01/20/2026 23:32
Subject: Low gpa strong SAT with strong math focus
Anonymous wrote:Nowadays, “institutional priorities” is a better term.
Agree, I should have said that.
Anonymous
01/20/2026 23:29
Subject: Low gpa strong SAT with strong math focus
Nowadays, “institutional priorities” is a better term.
Anonymous
01/20/2026 23:27
Subject: Low gpa strong SAT with strong math focus
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:School context matters. If it's a top feeder like Harvard Westlake, there is nothing to worry about. They sent 3.2 to Chicago.
💯
Op should search that “levels” post about national private high schools.
There is no school in the country where unhooked kids from the bottom half of the class are going to Chicago. None.
A kid with the kind of math EC's OP mentioned has a hook.
No that isn’t a hook. Hook is donor family, first gen, Pell grant eligible, athletic recruit, or legacy.
A hook is something that gives you a significant advantage relative to others with similar stats. An impressive accomplishment, like being accepted to Ross/Promys/SUMAC will definitely help. It doesn't make it a sure thing, but then of course, neither do any of the things you listed.
Perhaps a big spike.
A hook is meritless. A spike is based on merit.
Well then athletic achievement, or overcoming poverty aren't hooks.
Nobody said they were. Being Pell eligible or an athletic recruit are well recognized hooks.
Anonymous
01/20/2026 23:17
Subject: Low gpa strong SAT with strong math focus
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP, what are her goals? Graduate school, the job market? What is the financial situation?
She wants to pursue a PhD. We are very comfortable financially. -op
Do you have any other preferences on schools? vibe? Location?
Anonymous
01/20/2026 22:49
Subject: Low gpa strong SAT with strong math focus
Anonymous wrote:OP, what are her goals? Graduate school, the job market? What is the financial situation?
She wants to pursue a PhD. We are very comfortable financially. -op