Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 18:28     Subject: UVA strategy: RD vs ED?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:UVA publishes statistics on admissions. It is very open about that. SCHEV also has online numbers.

For a well-qualified in-state student, the statistical odds of admission to UVa are best ED, EA is 2nd best, and RD is hardest (again statistically speaking).


Thanks. I checked the stats and definitely see that ED has a much higher admissions rate (though I suspect some of these are hooked and some may be exceptionally strong students).

But I am wondering about the strategy for someone who is qualified but not at all a shoo-in. Do people think UVA would look at the classes and assume the GPA will continue to go up incrementally (in which case, kid would go ED)? Or is it better to wait to have the stronger GPA in hand?


ED is not "exceptionally strong students"
An exceptionally strong student for UVA is likely shooting their shot at a T15 school
ED is people who are special admits like athletic recruits and people who are in the meaty middle of the admit pile.

My WAG is if your stats are 50/50 for UVA, then ED probably makes that 80/20


My exceptionally strong student (I’ll list stats and more if you wish) applied ED to UVA because she could care less about T-15 name schools. We are full pay and can afford to pay private. She’s Echols at UVA and loves it there. Exceptionally strong students do apply to UVA!


Same. My strong student did UVA ED.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 18:27     Subject: UVA strategy: RD vs ED?
OP, along with ED, a reminder that UVA Wise is an option for a kid that really wants UVA.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 18:24     Subject: UVA strategy: RD vs ED?
Anonymous wrote:If a kid is in a spot on the Scattergrams where some kids are accepted but many others are not, would it be better to apply ED to UVA in the hope he gets an extra look and a little boost? Or would it be better to wait until the RD round to keep pushing the GPA upward?

Rigor is strong all throughout high school, so they'll see that whether he does ED or RD. He has very good ECs and is a bit spiky for his interest but it isn't a unique interest.

He is likely to be somewhere between 4.2-4.3 at a school where most 4.4s get in. SATs likely around 1450 (though he is hoping to raise it).

Kid absolutely loves UVA and older sibling attended (but he had much stronger stats). Thanks for advice.


what if you wait until RD and the GPA doesn't even go up?
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 18:20     Subject: UVA strategy: RD vs ED?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:UVA publishes statistics on admissions. It is very open about that. SCHEV also has online numbers.

For a well-qualified in-state student, the statistical odds of admission to UVa are best ED, EA is 2nd best, and RD is hardest (again statistically speaking).


Thanks. I checked the stats and definitely see that ED has a much higher admissions rate (though I suspect some of these are hooked and some may be exceptionally strong students).

But I am wondering about the strategy for someone who is qualified but not at all a shoo-in. Do people think UVA would look at the classes and assume the GPA will continue to go up incrementally (in which case, kid would go ED)? Or is it better to wait to have the stronger GPA in hand?


ED is not "exceptionally strong students"
An exceptionally strong student for UVA is likely shooting their shot at a T15 school
ED is people who are special admits like athletic recruits and people who are in the meaty middle of the admit pile.

My WAG is if your stats are 50/50 for UVA, then ED probably makes that 80/20


My exceptionally strong student (I’ll list stats and more if you wish) applied ED to UVA because she could care less about T-15 name schools. We are full pay and can afford to pay private. She’s Echols at UVA and loves it there. Exceptionally strong students do apply to UVA!


I don't doubt it but am interested in the rationale: e.g. premed and wants to be near the top of the class?
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 18:19     Subject: UVA strategy: RD vs ED?
EA is the way to go
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 17:06     Subject: UVA strategy: RD vs ED?
Anonymous wrote:ED admitted around 25% in state, deferred another 25% and rejected 50%.


Not many high stat kids to ED to UVA so you can get in with little lower GPA
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 17:04     Subject: UVA strategy: RD vs ED?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:UVA publishes statistics on admissions. It is very open about that. SCHEV also has online numbers.

For a well-qualified in-state student, the statistical odds of admission to UVa are best ED, EA is 2nd best, and RD is hardest (again statistically speaking).


Thanks. I checked the stats and definitely see that ED has a much higher admissions rate (though I suspect some of these are hooked and some may be exceptionally strong students).

But I am wondering about the strategy for someone who is qualified but not at all a shoo-in. Do people think UVA would look at the classes and assume the GPA will continue to go up incrementally (in which case, kid would go ED)? Or is it better to wait to have the stronger GPA in hand?


ED is not "exceptionally strong students"
An exceptionally strong student for UVA is likely shooting their shot at a T15 school
ED is people who are special admits like athletic recruits and people who are in the meaty middle of the admit pile.

My WAG is if your stats are 50/50 for UVA, then ED probably makes that 80/20


My exceptionally strong student (I’ll list stats and more if you wish) applied ED to UVA because she could care less about T-15 name schools. We are full pay and can afford to pay private. She’s Echols at UVA and loves it there. Exceptionally strong students do apply to UVA!
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 17:04     Subject: UVA strategy: RD vs ED?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If a kid is in a spot on the Scattergrams where some kids are accepted but many others are not, would it be better to apply ED to UVA in the hope he gets an extra look and a little boost? Or would it be better to wait until the RD round to keep pushing the GPA upward?

Rigor is strong all throughout high school, so they'll see that whether he does ED or RD. He has very good ECs and is a bit spiky for his interest but it isn't a unique interest.

He is likely to be somewhere between 4.2-4.3 at a school where most 4.4s get in. SATs likely around 1450 (though he is hoping to raise it).

Kid absolutely loves UVA and older sibling attended (but he had much stronger stats). Thanks for advice.


I would wait and try and get the GPA to 4.4 if possible and apply RD. I have a kid there now and I have really been studying their admissions for quite a while.4.4 is a much safer bet and worth the wait imo.


Agree. You won’t get in EA with GPA less than 4.4. ED you may get in since not many do ED
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 17:02     Subject: Re:UVA strategy: RD vs ED?
Anonymous wrote:Again though, how are grades reported if you apply January 1 for RD? Do you have to ask your school for an estimation of what your grade is going to be?


For seniors schools will report mid year GPA and upload transcript to common app and school specific apps like MIT
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 17:00     Subject: UVA strategy: RD vs ED?
Anonymous wrote:If a kid is in a spot on the Scattergrams where some kids are accepted but many others are not, would it be better to apply ED to UVA in the hope he gets an extra look and a little boost? Or would it be better to wait until the RD round to keep pushing the GPA upward?

Rigor is strong all throughout high school, so they'll see that whether he does ED or RD. He has very good ECs and is a bit spiky for his interest but it isn't a unique interest.

He is likely to be somewhere between 4.2-4.3 at a school where most 4.4s get in. SATs likely around 1450 (though he is hoping to raise it).

Kid absolutely loves UVA and older sibling attended (but he had much stronger stats). Thanks for advice.


If UVA is the dream school then ED else EA if GPA is over 4.4 else RD to bring GPA up. No more supplemental essays at UVA. It is all based on hard numbers
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 16:40     Subject: Re:UVA strategy: RD vs ED?
Again though, how are grades reported if you apply January 1 for RD? Do you have to ask your school for an estimation of what your grade is going to be?
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 16:30     Subject: UVA strategy: RD vs ED?
Anonymous wrote:If a kid is in a spot on the Scattergrams where some kids are accepted but many others are not, would it be better to apply ED to UVA in the hope he gets an extra look and a little boost? Or would it be better to wait until the RD round to keep pushing the GPA upward?

Rigor is strong all throughout high school, so they'll see that whether he does ED or RD. He has very good ECs and is a bit spiky for his interest but it isn't a unique interest.

He is likely to be somewhere between 4.2-4.3 at a school where most 4.4s get in. SATs likely around 1450 (though he is hoping to raise it).

Kid absolutely loves UVA and older sibling attended (but he had much stronger stats). Thanks for advice.


I would wait and try and get the GPA to 4.4 if possible and apply RD. I have a kid there now and I have really been studying their admissions for quite a while.4.4 is a much safer bet and worth the wait imo.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 16:26     Subject: UVA strategy: RD vs ED?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:UVA publishes statistics on admissions. It is very open about that. SCHEV also has online numbers.

For a well-qualified in-state student, the statistical odds of admission to UVa are best ED, EA is 2nd best, and RD is hardest (again statistically speaking).


Thanks. I checked the stats and definitely see that ED has a much higher admissions rate (though I suspect some of these are hooked and some may be exceptionally strong students).

But I am wondering about the strategy for someone who is qualified but not at all a shoo-in. Do people think UVA would look at the classes and assume the GPA will continue to go up incrementally (in which case, kid would go ED)? Or is it better to wait to have the stronger GPA in hand?


ED is not "exceptionally strong students"
An exceptionally strong student for UVA is likely shooting their shot at a T15 school
ED is people who are special admits like athletic recruits and people who are in the meaty middle of the admit pile.

My WAG is if your stats are 50/50 for UVA, then ED probably makes that 80/20
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 15:16     Subject: UVA strategy: RD vs ED?
Anonymous wrote:UVA says the early groups are stronger academically than the RD one and to wait for RD if senior grades will make you look better.


+1 this! Especially since OP''s kid's GPA is nowhere near the 4.4 that most kids have at their school.

OP, if you kid applies ED, they will be against other students from you school who may have a 4.4+ GPA. ED applicants are the most competitive bunch. Your kid may risk getting rejected outright rather than being deferred or waitlisted.
Anonymous
Post 02/17/2026 15:07     Subject: UVA strategy: RD vs ED?
UVA is one of the few schools that really doesnt give a big bump to ED (remeber athletes/hooks included in the slightly higher number). Many schools will admit a borderline student but not UVA-they will defer to see what's coming down the pipeline in the larger pool. If you arent perfect, dont ED. This year may be an anomoly with the huge number of EA/RD apps, so the future may be different.