Anonymous
Post 11/23/2025 08:55     Subject: Did anyone's kid skip applying to a safety?
Anonymous wrote:OP, apply to Virginia Tech!

Is Virginia Tech still possible at this late stage?
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2025 08:42     Subject: Did anyone's kid skip applying to a safety?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Yes. This is a bad idea. Admissions are unpredictable. Do not put this stress on your family. Tons of high stats kids will get rejected or deferred from their ED and lots of other deferrals. You do not want them to not be into any college until March….


Looking at upcoming RD deadlines, University of South Carolina, Auburn, SMU or Penn State are all safeties my DC is considering. Does anyone have an opinion on which 2 schools for a high stats kid applying for business? Already applying to Indiana as a safety.


South Carolina and SMU have good business programs
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2025 08:36     Subject: Did anyone's kid skip applying to a safety?
Anonymous wrote:Yes. This is a bad idea. Admissions are unpredictable. Do not put this stress on your family. Tons of high stats kids will get rejected or deferred from their ED and lots of other deferrals. You do not want them to not be into any college until March….


Looking at upcoming RD deadlines, University of South Carolina, Auburn, SMU or Penn State are all safeties my DC is considering. Does anyone have an opinion on which 2 schools for a high stats kid applying for business? Already applying to Indiana as a safety.
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2025 07:58     Subject: Did anyone's kid skip applying to a safety?
Yes. This is a bad idea. Admissions are unpredictable. Do not put this stress on your family. Tons of high stats kids will get rejected or deferred from their ED and lots of other deferrals. You do not want them to not be into any college until March….
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2025 07:32     Subject: Did anyone's kid skip applying to a safety?
I am another parent with a very high stats kid that has held off on applying to 3 true safeties. DC applied to one safety, but won’t hear back until January. DC was viewing UGA OOS as a target, but seeing the UGA admissions blog on Friday, I am getting very nervous. Based on this thread, I will have him apply to 2 more safeties this week.
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2025 07:26     Subject: Did anyone's kid skip applying to a safety?
Safety is for suckers. If you do not get into any school, it is not end of the world. Skip all safety schools OP.
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2025 07:23     Subject: Did anyone's kid skip applying to a safety?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What is considered a “safety” will be different for different kids. Given how competitive the application process is for selective schools, she should apply to a couple that are slightly less selective than her top choices.

Thank you. What are some suggestions for safeties for her at this stage of admissions?


Pitt comes to mind


It’s still plenty early to apply anywhere regular decision.


OP, finding a safety that your daughter would enjoy attending offers peace of mind. If your DD is applying to a lot of schools with single digit acceptance rates, that is risky for anyone.

My kid has a 4.0, 1590 SAT, is taking post BC Calculus math and all APs, NMSF, and strong ECs and would be happy to attend the safety (already admitted).

Research rolling admission schools.

Anonymous
Post 11/23/2025 06:40     Subject: Did anyone's kid skip applying to a safety?
Anonymous wrote:My DD is another who applied to the UK with her AP grades in hand. She could only apply to 5 colleges and they were all top 10 for her subject. She is now attending #5 in the rankings for her subject and top 10 generally.

She did not apply to a single safety or low target there was one reach (Oxford) and 4 high targets. They all accepted her.

So much more straightforward and civilized than the multi-application bun fights you guys put your kids through.


That is amazing for your daughter. But most kids don’t want to move to another country to go to college. American kids want an American college experience, with all that entails.
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2025 06:27     Subject: Did anyone's kid skip applying to a safety?
My DD is another who applied to the UK with her AP grades in hand. She could only apply to 5 colleges and they were all top 10 for her subject. She is now attending #5 in the rankings for her subject and top 10 generally.

She did not apply to a single safety or low target there was one reach (Oxford) and 4 high targets. They all accepted her.

So much more straightforward and civilized than the multi-application bun fights you guys put your kids through.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2025 21:22     Subject: Did anyone's kid skip applying to a safety?
My kid took off his one true safety (80% admit rate). Not my preference, but he said he really doesn't want to go there. Counselor said ok because she feels good about his chances at two low targets. I convinced him to add another low target.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2025 20:24     Subject: Did anyone's kid skip applying to a safety?
Didn’t read the whole thread but mine didn’t apply anywhere with higher than a 40% admit rate. Most of DCUM would scream that’s not a safety.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2025 19:21     Subject: Did anyone's kid skip applying to a safety?
OP, apply to Virginia Tech!
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2025 18:43     Subject: Did anyone's kid skip applying to a safety?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What is considered a “safety” will be different for different kids. Given how competitive the application process is for selective schools, she should apply to a couple that are slightly less selective than her top choices.

Thank you. What are some suggestions for safeties for her at this stage of admissions?


Pitt comes to mind


It’s still plenty early to apply anywhere regular decision.
Anonymous
Post 11/21/2025 19:46     Subject: Did anyone's kid skip applying to a safety?
This isn’t about fearmongering or putting anyone down. It’s about preparing all kids (especially unhooked high stats kids aiming for single-digit acceptance rate schools) for the unpredictability of the college admissions process. Things like NMSF, 1500+ SAT’s, and legacy don’t carry the weight they carried during the 90’s.
Anonymous
Post 11/21/2025 18:57     Subject: Did anyone's kid skip applying to a safety?
need a safety. period.

-went to DC prep school w/ classmates who applied to 10+ schools and didn't get into any