Anonymous
02/01/2026 08:47
Subject: Accepted to UVA from NOVA Public — How many B+/Bs and in what classes
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:B's dont tell the story either. You need to be in the "most rigorous courses" that is common at your HS.
UVA is among the more predictable ones. Criteria is
1. Top 5% of class at most HS (top 20% at TJ) by GPA
2. You have taken the most rigorous courses that is reasonably possible at your HS
3. 4 years of FL
4. SAT/ACT above median at UVA
If you meet all 4 above, you can pretty much be sure of admission.
2. To me it was never quite clear what most rigorous mean since a math and science student would be stronger in different subjects than an English student for example. I think the important thing is to look at rigor as the combination of all your classes.
3. 3 years of FL will not destroy your chance. Just make sure you make up with more rigor somewhere else.
Most rigorous ~ Max rigor in all core subjects in all 4 years (does not matter if they are math or English student)
3 years of FL will not destroy your chance but you are giving them an easy strike against you
+1. Both correct. Your college counselor determines if your kid is taking the “most rigorous” courses and indicates so. Ask your high school counselor is your kid is on target for “most rigorous” designation. They may hem and haw. You should push
Is this an official designation and why is it in the counselor's discretion to deem it most rigorous or not?
Who else better? That is their job. They write one letter of recommendation. They prepare the school profile that is mailed to the colleges to which your child applies. The colleges use that profile to assess your child’s rank within their class. The profile is also the key to
the most rigorous designation because it lists the AP courses offered by the high school and the percentage of students which took those AP courses. The counselor is aware of the top
courses offered and knows who is in those classrooms.
DeanJ has said they don’t care about which rigor box is checked because they know the schools well and evaluate the transcripts on their own.
A) I doubt she has said that. Cite please. If she said it, it was to placate a mom who was worried only “rigorous”, not “most rigorous “ was checked, because, above all else, Dean J. is a marketeer and cares about getting as many applications possible submitted.
B) yes, they have readers who do the initial cull and check the kid’s transcript against the profile created by the same counselor and assess rank.
C) but the reader is still going to go back and find out why “most rigorous” wasn’t checked. Might even email the counselor to ask.
Anonymous
02/01/2026 08:23
Subject: Accepted to UVA from NOVA Public — How many B+/Bs and in what classes
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:B's dont tell the story either. You need to be in the "most rigorous courses" that is common at your HS.
UVA is among the more predictable ones. Criteria is
1. Top 5% of class at most HS (top 20% at TJ) by GPA
2. You have taken the most rigorous courses that is reasonably possible at your HS
3. 4 years of FL
4. SAT/ACT above median at UVA
If you meet all 4 above, you can pretty much be sure of admission.
2. To me it was never quite clear what most rigorous mean since a math and science student would be stronger in different subjects than an English student for example. I think the important thing is to look at rigor as the combination of all your classes.
3. 3 years of FL will not destroy your chance. Just make sure you make up with more rigor somewhere else.
Most rigorous ~ Max rigor in all core subjects in all 4 years (does not matter if they are math or English student)
3 years of FL will not destroy your chance but you are giving them an easy strike against you
+1. Both correct. Your college counselor determines if your kid is taking the “most rigorous” courses and indicates so. Ask your high school counselor is your kid is on target for “most rigorous” designation. They may hem and haw. You should push
Is this an official designation and why is it in the counselor's discretion to deem it most rigorous or not?
Who else better? That is their job. They write one letter of recommendation. They prepare the school profile that is mailed to the colleges to which your child applies. The colleges use that profile to assess your child’s rank within their class. The profile is also the key to
the most rigorous designation because it lists the AP courses offered by the high school and the percentage of students which took those AP courses. The counselor is aware of the top
courses offered and knows who is in those classrooms.
Given how little my kids interact with their counselor (who seems to think her job is just "scheduler") at their large FCPS, it is concerning that any personalized information is expected about the child from the counselor.
Agree.
Anonymous
02/01/2026 08:22
Subject: Accepted to UVA from NOVA Public — How many B+/Bs and in what classes
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:B's dont tell the story either. You need to be in the "most rigorous courses" that is common at your HS.
UVA is among the more predictable ones. Criteria is
1. Top 5% of class at most HS (top 20% at TJ) by GPA
2. You have taken the most rigorous courses that is reasonably possible at your HS
3. 4 years of FL
4. SAT/ACT above median at UVA
If you meet all 4 above, you can pretty much be sure of admission.
2. To me it was never quite clear what most rigorous mean since a math and science student would be stronger in different subjects than an English student for example. I think the important thing is to look at rigor as the combination of all your classes.
3. 3 years of FL will not destroy your chance. Just make sure you make up with more rigor somewhere else.
Most rigorous ~ Max rigor in all core subjects in all 4 years (does not matter if they are math or English student)
3 years of FL will not destroy your chance but you are giving them an easy strike against you
+1. Both correct. Your college counselor determines if your kid is taking the “most rigorous” courses and indicates so. Ask your high school counselor is your kid is on target for “most rigorous” designation. They may hem and haw. You should push
Is this an official designation and why is it in the counselor's discretion to deem it most rigorous or not?
Who else better? That is their job. They write one letter of recommendation. They prepare the school profile that is mailed to the colleges to which your child applies. The colleges use that profile to assess your child’s rank within their class. The profile is also the key to
the most rigorous designation because it lists the AP courses offered by the high school and the percentage of students which took those AP courses. The counselor is aware of the top
courses offered and knows who is in those classrooms.
DeanJ has said they don’t care about which rigor box is checked because they know the schools well and evaluate the transcripts on their own.
Anonymous
02/01/2026 07:58
Subject: Accepted to UVA from NOVA Public — How many B+/Bs and in what classes
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:B's dont tell the story either. You need to be in the "most rigorous courses" that is common at your HS.
UVA is among the more predictable ones. Criteria is
1. Top 5% of class at most HS (top 20% at TJ) by GPA
2. You have taken the most rigorous courses that is reasonably possible at your HS
3. 4 years of FL
4. SAT/ACT above median at UVA
If you meet all 4 above, you can pretty much be sure of admission.
I would adx that it is much easier to get accepted into UVA as a girl than a boy.
How so?
This is a false read. uVis no different than any of the other top schools in the nation. They all have a greater percentage of female students to make because the female applicants are stronger and there are more of them. This is a national phenomenon, much discussed in education literature. Read Tge Chronicle of Higher Education. UVA is not unique at 55% women, W&M is more, Harvard is 54%.Maine SLACs are 65% women. PP’s error is thinking this is unique or that it’s “it’s easier to get admitted as a girl”. It’s actually reversed. The girls, who have better profiles, are competing against each other. The boys have it easier because there are fewer applicants. That’s why it’s often said it’s easier to get into W&M as a male. Both W&M and UVA and Harvard are operating under the same demographics. Go look at the make/female ratio of the top schools and SLACs. Almost all have a greater percentage of women.
Anonymous
02/01/2026 07:44
Subject: Accepted to UVA from NOVA Public — How many B+/Bs and in what classes
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:B's dont tell the story either. You need to be in the "most rigorous courses" that is common at your HS.
UVA is among the more predictable ones. Criteria is
1. Top 5% of class at most HS (top 20% at TJ) by GPA
2. You have taken the most rigorous courses that is reasonably possible at your HS
3. 4 years of FL
4. SAT/ACT above median at UVA
If you meet all 4 above, you can pretty much be sure of admission.
2. To me it was never quite clear what most rigorous mean since a math and science student would be stronger in different subjects than an English student for example. I think the important thing is to look at rigor as the combination of all your classes.
3. 3 years of FL will not destroy your chance. Just make sure you make up with more rigor somewhere else.
Most rigorous ~ Max rigor in all core subjects in all 4 years (does not matter if they are math or English student)
3 years of FL will not destroy your chance but you are giving them an easy strike against you
+1. Both correct. Your college counselor determines if your kid is taking the “most rigorous” courses and indicates so. Ask your high school counselor is your kid is on target for “most rigorous” designation. They may hem and haw. You should push
Is this an official designation and why is it in the counselor's discretion to deem it most rigorous or not?
Who else better? That is their job. They write one letter of recommendation. They prepare the school profile that is mailed to the colleges to which your child applies. The colleges use that profile to assess your child’s rank within their class. The profile is also the key to
the most rigorous designation because it lists the AP courses offered by the high school and the percentage of students which took those AP courses. The counselor is aware of the top
courses offered and knows who is in those classrooms.
Given how little my kids interact with their counselor (who seems to think her job is just "scheduler") at their large FCPS, it is concerning that any personalized information is expected about the child from the counselor.
Anonymous
02/01/2026 07:39
Subject: Re:Accepted to UVA from NOVA Public — How many B+/Bs and in what classes
Anonymous wrote:DC accepted into CAS from McLean/Langley in 2024, EA. Asian male. No hooks. Average ECs, part time job. 1500 SAT
Weighted GPA was 4.3 after 11th grade, 4.35 after 1st semester of 12th grade. Eventually had 3 years of 1 FL (including middle school) and 2 years of another. So definitely not the same FL for 4 years and not AP.
Bs in Precal Honors, FL, and AP Lang after 11th grade. Everything else was As or A-s. Had Bs in AP Calc AB, AP Stats, AP Environ after 1st semester of 12th grade. 10 APs in total, but no other STEM APs other than those listed here, so not a STEM kid.
Definitely not top 10% of class, no idea where he was in the class. He was definitely on the border between green checks and red xs in Naviance. Were very happily surprised that the coinflip was in his favor. Hope your own DCs are as lucky because it is definitely arbitrary at that level. Our other DC with virtually same wGPA, SAT and ECs was rejected by UVA but admitted to T20 in 2021.
I’m guessing great recommendations and essays!
Anonymous
02/01/2026 07:38
Subject: Accepted to UVA from NOVA Public — How many B+/Bs and in what classes
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:B's dont tell the story either. You need to be in the "most rigorous courses" that is common at your HS.
UVA is among the more predictable ones. Criteria is
1. Top 5% of class at most HS (top 20% at TJ) by GPA
2. You have taken the most rigorous courses that is reasonably possible at your HS
3. 4 years of FL
4. SAT/ACT above median at UVA
If you meet all 4 above, you can pretty much be sure of admission.
2. To me it was never quite clear what most rigorous mean since a math and science student would be stronger in different subjects than an English student for example. I think the important thing is to look at rigor as the combination of all your classes.
3. 3 years of FL will not destroy your chance. Just make sure you make up with more rigor somewhere else.
Most rigorous ~ Max rigor in all core subjects in all 4 years (does not matter if they are math or English student)
3 years of FL will not destroy your chance but you are giving them an easy strike against you
+1. Both correct. Your college counselor determines if your kid is taking the “most rigorous” courses and indicates so. Ask your high school counselor is your kid is on target for “most rigorous” designation. They may hem and haw. You should push
Is this an official designation and why is it in the counselor's discretion to deem it most rigorous or not?
Who else better? That is their job. They write one letter of recommendation. They prepare the school profile that is mailed to the colleges to which your child applies. The colleges use that profile to assess your child’s rank within their class. The profile is also the key to
the most rigorous designation because it lists the AP courses offered by the high school and the percentage of students which took those AP courses. The counselor is aware of the top
courses offered and knows who is in those classrooms.
Anonymous
02/01/2026 07:36
Subject: Accepted to UVA from NOVA Public — How many B+/Bs and in what classes
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:B's dont tell the story either. You need to be in the "most rigorous courses" that is common at your HS.
UVA is among the more predictable ones. Criteria is
1. Top 5% of class at most HS (top 20% at TJ) by GPA
2. You have taken the most rigorous courses that is reasonably possible at your HS
3. 4 years of FL
4. SAT/ACT above median at UVA
If you meet all 4 above, you can pretty much be sure of admission.
Just wondering if most rigorous in math means taking multivariable calculus?
This is a bit more nuanced.
If not accelerated, what this means is you take math progressively higher level each year and especially if they end up with at least AP Calc AB.
If accelerated, you take math progressively higher level each year and wherever it ends up. If you do take multivariable calculus, at least for math not being most rigorous is not going to be an issue.
Anonymous
02/01/2026 07:02
Subject: Accepted to UVA from NOVA Public — How many B+/Bs and in what classes
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:B's dont tell the story either. You need to be in the "most rigorous courses" that is common at your HS.
UVA is among the more predictable ones. Criteria is
1. Top 5% of class at most HS (top 20% at TJ) by GPA
2. You have taken the most rigorous courses that is reasonably possible at your HS
3. 4 years of FL
4. SAT/ACT above median at UVA
If you meet all 4 above, you can pretty much be sure of admission.
Just wondering if most rigorous in math means taking multivariable calculus?
... at TJ.
Or whichever HS kid is at and it is offered.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 23:02
Subject: Accepted to UVA from NOVA Public — How many B+/Bs and in what classes
My kid zero Bs (two A-)
But a friend of his got in just now with two B+
But a friend of his got in just now with two B+
Anonymous
01/31/2026 22:41
Subject: Accepted to UVA from NOVA Public — How many B+/Bs and in what classes
Nova Catholic…..1 B Freshman year in Bio. All As the rest of high school with max rigor across the board, including FL. 1510 SAT and plenty of ECs.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 22:39
Subject: Accepted to UVA from NOVA Public — How many B+/Bs and in what classes
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:B's dont tell the story either. You need to be in the "most rigorous courses" that is common at your HS.
UVA is among the more predictable ones. Criteria is
1. Top 5% of class at most HS (top 20% at TJ) by GPA
2. You have taken the most rigorous courses that is reasonably possible at your HS
3. 4 years of FL
4. SAT/ACT above median at UVA
If you meet all 4 above, you can pretty much be sure of admission.
Just wondering if most rigorous in math means taking multivariable calculus?
... at TJ.
Anonymous
01/31/2026 22:38
Subject: Accepted to UVA from NOVA Public — How many B+/Bs and in what classes
Anonymous wrote:B's dont tell the story either. You need to be in the "most rigorous courses" that is common at your HS.
UVA is among the more predictable ones. Criteria is
1. Top 5% of class at most HS (top 20% at TJ) by GPA
2. You have taken the most rigorous courses that is reasonably possible at your HS
3. 4 years of FL
4. SAT/ACT above median at UVA
If you meet all 4 above, you can pretty much be sure of admission.
Just wondering if most rigorous in math means taking multivariable calculus?
Anonymous
01/31/2026 22:27
Subject: Accepted to UVA from NOVA Public — How many B+/Bs and in what classes
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:B's dont tell the story either. You need to be in the "most rigorous courses" that is common at your HS.
UVA is among the more predictable ones. Criteria is
1. Top 5% of class at most HS (top 20% at TJ) by GPA
2. You have taken the most rigorous courses that is reasonably possible at your HS
3. 4 years of FL
4. SAT/ACT above median at UVA
If you meet all 4 above, you can pretty much be sure of admission.
2. To me it was never quite clear what most rigorous mean since a math and science student would be stronger in different subjects than an English student for example. I think the important thing is to look at rigor as the combination of all your classes.
3. 3 years of FL will not destroy your chance. Just make sure you make up with more rigor somewhere else.
Most rigorous ~ Max rigor in all core subjects in all 4 years (does not matter if they are math or English student)
3 years of FL will not destroy your chance but you are giving them an easy strike against you
+1. Both correct. Your college counselor determines if your kid is taking the “most rigorous” courses and indicates so. Ask your high school counselor is your kid is on target for “most rigorous” designation. They may hem and haw. You should push
Is this an official designation and why is it in the counselor's discretion to deem it most rigorous or not?
Anonymous
01/31/2026 22:23
Subject: Accepted to UVA from NOVA Public — How many B+/Bs and in what classes
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:B's dont tell the story either. You need to be in the "most rigorous courses" that is common at your HS.
UVA is among the more predictable ones. Criteria is
1. Top 5% of class at most HS (top 20% at TJ) by GPA
2. You have taken the most rigorous courses that is reasonably possible at your HS
3. 4 years of FL
4. SAT/ACT above median at UVA
If you meet all 4 above, you can pretty much be sure of admission.
I would adx that it is much easier to get accepted into UVA as a girl than a boy.
How so?