Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP:
I find this so interesting given Harvard has now come out saying that scores are more indicative than gpa as to how students do as undergraduates. It is on their admission page as an explanation why they now require scores again. Wondering why the non-top ten SLACs would not want a kid with a very high score like 35 to raise the average? As the average scores impact school rankings, for better or worse, so what the focus on gpa when it isn’t published and not a clear indicator of ability given the various schools, classes, teachers that impact the grades for one individual vs another? Do the schools not compile an AI (Academic Index) anymore? If so then a 35/36 would help a “lower” gpa, no?

They don't want someone to lower their GPA metrics while raising test metrics, while plenty of students can do both.

Yes, if you are speaking about a school like MIT or elsewhere that requires tests and the average is 35 but that isn’t true if we are talking about a school with the average ACT is 31, with now only half submitted tests with applications.
I doubt OP thinks that MIT, etc or another top 30 school is on the table.
Also they don’t share the gpa metric. At least not on CDS.

Anonymous wrote:kid has good essay potential and unique and personal ECs but not national honors or anything. ACT 35
insight?

“Mid” grades = half B, half As, typical good private or good public will be somewhere near average in the class, meaning JMU or GMU , might be able to get VT. Zero chance at Uva or WM unless the rigor is truly one of the highest few in the school.

Anonymous wrote:NP:
I find this so interesting given Harvard has now come out saying that scores are more indicative than gpa as to how students do as undergraduates. It is on their admission page as an explanation why they now require scores again. Wondering why the non-top ten SLACs would not want a kid with a very high score like 35 to raise the average? As the average scores impact school rankings, for better or worse, so what the focus on gpa when it isn’t published and not a clear indicator of ability given the various schools, classes, teachers that impact the grades for one individual vs another? Do the schools not compile an AI (Academic Index) anymore? If so then a 35/36 would help a “lower” gpa, no?

Because there is an abundant supply of kids with top test scores and top gpas.

Anonymous wrote:NP:
I find this so interesting given Harvard has now come out saying that scores are more indicative than gpa as to how students do as undergraduates. It is on their admission page as an explanation why they now require scores again. Wondering why the non-top ten SLACs would not want a kid with a very high score like 35 to raise the average? As the average scores impact school rankings, for better or worse, so what the focus on gpa when it isn’t published and not a clear indicator of ability given the various schools, classes, teachers that impact the grades for one individual vs another? Do the schools not compile an AI (Academic Index) anymore? If so then a 35/36 would help a “lower” gpa, no?

They don't want someone to lower their GPA metrics while raising test metrics, while plenty of students can do both.

Your kid is smart but won't fall in line and do the work to get good grades. College is foremost a school, so they don't want that, unless you have a famous talent like sports superstar or celebrity for some talent.

NP:
I find this so interesting given Harvard has now come out saying that scores are more indicative than gpa as to how students do as undergraduates. It is on their admission page as an explanation why they now require scores again. Wondering why the non-top ten SLACs would not want a kid with a very high score like 35 to raise the average? As the average scores impact school rankings, for better or worse, so what the focus on gpa when it isn’t published and not a clear indicator of ability given the various schools, classes, teachers that impact the grades for one individual vs another? Do the schools not compile an AI (Academic Index) anymore? If so then a 35/36 would help a “lower” gpa, no?

Anonymous wrote:As a broad generalization - Not the Michigans, UVA’s, USC etc Those schools that are bombarded with applications because of their popularity and can’t even read and end up doing hard gpa cuts basically. Private schools like Wake, Tufts, Wesleyan, the SLACs….they understand rigor.

GPA top low for Wake or Wesleyan coming from a public school. Number of APs is pretty average for a higher stats kid.

Generally slacs are easier admits for male students than women but they tend to care less about test scores, more about grades. The PA or midwestern slacs might be a good match — F&M, Dickinson, Lafayette, Saint Olaf, maybe W and L as a reach.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP. Answer the questions people are asking. Even better, plug in your kid's stats into collegevine. It's the most accurate website out there to predict chances. Absolutely works! My kid with a similar profile applied to 20 schools, got into 17, many of which we thought they won't get in based on other sources (DCUM, CC and Naviance).

Will do thank you!

Do you mind sharing some of the schools your kid got into?

As a broad generalization - Not the Michigans, UVA’s, USC etc Those schools that are bombarded with applications because of their popularity and can’t even read and end up doing hard gpa cuts basically. Private schools like Wake, Tufts, Wesleyan, the SLACs….they understand rigor.

Op again, forgot to mention he does not need FA.

Should add that he doesn’t want to go to a small school with non inflated average ACT far below his. Wants to find peer group so more open to larger schools that have strong programs in his
Interests. Brandeis?

Anonymous wrote:OP. Answer the questions people are asking. Even better, plug in your kid's stats into collegevine. It's the most accurate website out there to predict chances. Absolutely works! My kid with a similar profile applied to 20 schools, got into 17, many of which we thought they won't get in based on other sources (DCUM, CC and Naviance).

Will do thank you!

Anonymous wrote:kid has good essay potential and unique and personal ECs but not national honors or anything. ACT 35
insight?

Sorry. Wrote that quickly and should have added: public school. 3.6/4.3 ish at end of junior year I think. Likely to raise it more with first semester of senior.
Male. Now AP number is 5 and will take 5 or 6 senior year. Took some of the hardest APs offered. So total of ten or eleven by senior year. Varsity athlete. Not necessarily expected to play on college. Other unique ECs. Essays will likely be strong. At least one teacher rec will be personal and strong we think/hope. Is interested in SLAC with strong history and science programs. Finding it hard to find those that are a fit without being average gpa if 3.9. Loves the outdoors.would be open to mid size or larger University not in a big city as well. No nyu type. Not likely to rush.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP. Answer the questions people are asking. Even better, plug in your kid's stats into collegevine. It's the most accurate website out there to predict chances. Absolutely works! My kid with a similar profile applied to 20 schools, got into 17, many of which we thought they won't get in based on other sources (DCUM, CC and Naviance).

What percentage should you be looking for?

CV groups hte colleges into reaches, matches and safeties.. Pretty accurate IMHO. And yes, it works for Privates too. Outside of a handful (top tier or popular) they are desperate for students, especially full pay.

CV gives you two percentages - the admit rate and a probability of your student getting admitted. In our case, when the former (admit rate) was lower than the latter (probability of admission) the admissions chances went up.

Anonymous wrote:I would target schools that like big 3 kids - where the rigor is high and average GPA is around 3.5. If the non-top 20-30% kids get in, assuming these kids also have high test scores they are submitting, that's probably your sweet spot.

How/why would you make that recommendation based solely on ACT score?