Sounds like she could get into any number of state flagships, which generally have the strongest STEM programs anyway, because they have the research dollars. She may even get merit money at some. Look at universities that have strong regional reputations but don't recruit heavily from around the country-- like many of the big Southern schools, Ohio University, Indiana University, Purdue, University of Vermont, the University of Missouri, University of Kansas -- they're also located in great college towns. A big school will give her lots of academic options. Many kids like yours take off in college, and of course you know she's not "just average" -- more like, "refreshingly normal."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was this kind of student and went to Virginia Tech, but I know times have changed and it's much harder to get into now. It's worth a look/try though. Penn State and GMU are other excellent suggestions.

A Northern Virginia student applying to Tech needs at least 1250 SATs and 3.9+ GPA.

But for a transfer student it's a GPA of 2.5. From VaTech's web page.



As a TransferAdmission is offered on a competitive basis to transfer applicants as long as space is available in their chosen fields of study. Students are considered transfer applicants if they have formally enrolled at another college or university and attempted 12 or more hours at any time following graduation from high school.

Please note: The most important factors considered for admission are: completion or substantial progress toward completing prerequisite courses, particularly freshman English, math , and science appropriate for the intended major; and overall GPA in college course work. Although the admissions committee considers applicants with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale), most competitive applicants will present a GPA of 3.0 or better. In majors where applications exceed available space, such as business, communication, and engineering, the competitive GPA may be even higher. Also note that transfer applications are no longer accepted for majors in Architecture or Industrial Design.

Transfer applicants who have successfully completed the equivalent of Virginia Tech’s core curriculum requirements, especially those who have completed two years at a Virginia community college, will receive preference in the admission process. Applicants are encouraged to visit Virginia Tech’s Transfer Equivalency Database for course equivalents at Virginia community colleges or other two- and four-year institutions.

Transfer applicants, including those who have completed an associate’s degree, must:

have completed all entrance requirements, or the equivalent in a college program, for all entering students (see Freshman Academic Requirements).
be in good standing at all colleges and universities attended.
in addition to meeting the minimum requirements, present credentials of “B” or higher in courses of Freshman English, Mathematics (as required by the specific major) and Science (as required by the specific major). Applicants who have successfully completed the equivalent of Virginia Tech’s core curriculum, especially those who have completed an associate’s degree at a Virginia two-year college, receive preference in the admission process. See the Transfer Guide for more information.

Anonymous wrote:Cool story bro. How about UMBC or George Mason? What about Penn State or Rutgers? RPI or Case Western?

I do alumni interviews for CWRU and while the type of kid you describe could have gotten in 15 years ago, she probably won't now. It's worth a try if she has something unique like a sport or a musical talent that will round out the student body.

Anonymous wrote:Some thoughts: Brandeis, Boston University, Tulane, Miami u (Ohio), Lehigh, Lafayette, all-girls schools like Smith, Wellesley, Mt Holyoke (part of 5 college exchange), and Barnard.

Some of these schools are top 50. It seems kind of a reach for an "average" student

Some thoughts: Brandeis, Boston University, Tulane, Miami u (Ohio), Lehigh, Lafayette, all-girls schools like Smith, Wellesley, Mt Holyoke (part of 5 college exchange), and Barnard.

This list is a good start.

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/a-plus

Also, students who transfer don't go "against" a school's rank, so community college for a year and transferring is a good option.

Anonymous wrote:^ sorry, that should say DC struggles to maintain a 3.0, not a 4.0.

Thank goodness.

If she is okay with a small school, look at Beloit. It is a wonderful place and has made huge improvements in the last few years. Has an emphasis on study abroad / international education, if she's interested, and a dedicated an talented faculty.

I miss it often.

-recent alum

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was this kind of student and went to Virginia Tech, but I know times have changed and it's much harder to get into now. It's worth a look/try though. Penn State and GMU are other excellent suggestions.

A Northern Virginia student applying to Tech needs at least 1250 SATs and 3.9+ GPA.

Fact.

I know students with similar grades/scores who were waitlisted from VT last year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was this kind of student and went to Virginia Tech, but I know times have changed and it's much harder to get into now. It's worth a look/try though. Penn State and GMU are other excellent suggestions.

A Northern Virginia student applying to Tech needs at least 1250 SATs and 3.9+ GPA.

Fact.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was this kind of student and went to Virginia Tech, but I know times have changed and it's much harder to get into now. It's worth a look/try though. Penn State and GMU are other excellent suggestions.

A Northern Virginia student applying to Tech needs at least 1250 SATs and 3.9+ GPA.

Np. That is true now, but when I graduated in the 90s, tech was a big party school and wasn't hard to get into at all.

Great thread.

My daughter was also a solid B -B+ student who took some AP and had average extra circ activities. What she has going for her is an amazing work ethic and a great personality. She knows how to work with people. She has had jobs since she was 15 and her bosses wrote great recommendations for her. We let her try new things by herself and never hovered. She is at a great university but not an Ivy and doing well. The important thing is finding the right school for your kid. Do they want Urban vs rural, large or small, close to home or far way. Focus on what is best for your kid and forget what anyone else thinks of the school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was this kind of student and went to Virginia Tech, but I know times have changed and it's much harder to get into now. It's worth a look/try though. Penn State and GMU are other excellent suggestions.

A Northern Virginia student applying to Tech needs at least 1250 SATs and 3.9+ GPA.

OP didn't specify where she lives or her daughter's stats. The acceptance rate is different for those out of state/not in NOVA from what I understand.

Best of luck to you and your daughter, OP!

Anonymous wrote:I was this kind of student and went to Virginia Tech, but I know times have changed and it's much harder to get into now. It's worth a look/try though. Penn State and GMU are other excellent suggestions.

A Northern Virginia student applying to Tech needs at least 1250 SATs and 3.9+ GPA.