Anonymous
05/01/2019 14:38
Subject: Re:3.65 unweighted GPA and a 1580 SAT from a BIG 3 - What should realistically be on the list
Anonymous wrote:"Aren't HPYS-type schools highly unlikely for this kid regardless? If the kid has no hooks and good, but not amazing ECs (as seems to be the case if club leadership positions are the primary ones) it is not clear to me why any top 10 school would be realistic even for a kid with good grades at a top HS. There are thousands of kids across the country with almost perfect SATs or ACTs."
Maybe, maybe not. One of the huge advantages of the Big 3 is that they have sent Dozens of students to HYPS.
That is an advantage because if the student has totally impressed two or three teachers of those dozens then their recs can really matter.
At a HS that has never sent a student to HYPS, teacher recs don't mean much because they have never seen future HYPS students.
Dozens over the past decade, maybe, but certainly not dozens per year. Not even close.
Anonymous
05/01/2019 14:33
Subject: Re:3.65 unweighted GPA and a 1580 SAT from a BIG 3 - What should realistically be on the list
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Do you really not know the answer?
Original Poster here: Its not easy to make such a list. Why make such a comment? The SAT is high IVY HYPMS. The GPA is low top 25. So please have something to offer or move along.
DC is open to all college experiences.
I am not being snarky, but have DC read this book over the summer and start making their own list.
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Colleges-2019-Universities/dp/1524757942
Theyve read all the guidebooks. Weve met with the college counselor. Its difficult when the GPA doesnt match the SAT. So Im asking the board - any other anecdotes of high SAT and great but not top 1% GPA - outcomes with Top 10 schools. Is that worth the time. Assume no other hooks.
My child with similar stats went big state U because of the free ride and personality match. Did not even try for competitive schools-went for scholarship money. We appreciated this and respect the smart decision to enter law school in a few years debt free.
My DC with 3.7 and 34 ACT from top private was rejected from UVA, UMCP and WL/rejected from Ohio State. It is really hard when you don't have the weighted GPA. They did get into all of the privates, even reaches and some big merit packages on the targets/safeties.
They could have gotten full ride at some OOS, but none they were interested in.
This is so helpful! Thanks! I have a junior at a competitive private who has a 3.7 (maybe 3.65) and a 34 ACT, so good to know. She is interested in SLACs. Glad to know she may have a chance. We were worried about the "low" GPA. She is in the highest track of math (although has not been getting A's in that track, hence the 3.7) and has taken a rigorous schedule (her school no longer offers AP because "all of their classes are rigorous"--whatever).
Anonymous
05/01/2019 14:11
Subject: Re:3.65 unweighted GPA and a 1580 SAT from a BIG 3 - What should realistically be on the list
Anonymous wrote:"Aren't HPYS-type schools highly unlikely for this kid regardless? If the kid has no hooks and good, but not amazing ECs (as seems to be the case if club leadership positions are the primary ones) it is not clear to me why any top 10 school would be realistic even for a kid with good grades at a top HS. There are thousands of kids across the country with almost perfect SATs or ACTs."
Maybe, maybe not. One of the huge advantages of the Big 3 is that they have sent Dozens of students to HYPS.
That is an advantage because if the student has totally impressed two or three teachers of those dozens then their recs can really matter.
At a HS that has never sent a student to HYPS, teacher recs don't mean much because they have never seen future HYPS students.
Any guess as to how many of those dozens had no legacy status or other hooks and non-remarkable ECs? There is probably no way to figure this out, but it sure would make the picture clearer. Certainly agree that a rave recommendation from a star teacher at a school like that gives an applicant a major boost.
Anonymous
05/01/2019 14:09
Subject: 3.65 unweighted GPA and a 1580 SAT from a BIG 3 - What should realistically be on the list
HYSP is out unless you have hooks or legacy
If DC wants liberal alerts, I’d focus on SLACs esp. if you are full pay
If DC wants liberal alerts, I’d focus on SLACs esp. if you are full pay
Anonymous
05/01/2019 14:04
Subject: Re:3.65 unweighted GPA and a 1580 SAT from a BIG 3 - What should realistically be on the list
"Aren't HPYS-type schools highly unlikely for this kid regardless? If the kid has no hooks and good, but not amazing ECs (as seems to be the case if club leadership positions are the primary ones) it is not clear to me why any top 10 school would be realistic even for a kid with good grades at a top HS. There are thousands of kids across the country with almost perfect SATs or ACTs."
Maybe, maybe not. One of the huge advantages of the Big 3 is that they have sent Dozens of students to HYPS.
That is an advantage because if the student has totally impressed two or three teachers of those dozens then their recs can really matter.
At a HS that has never sent a student to HYPS, teacher recs don't mean much because they have never seen future HYPS students.
Maybe, maybe not. One of the huge advantages of the Big 3 is that they have sent Dozens of students to HYPS.
That is an advantage because if the student has totally impressed two or three teachers of those dozens then their recs can really matter.
At a HS that has never sent a student to HYPS, teacher recs don't mean much because they have never seen future HYPS students.
Anonymous
05/01/2019 14:01
Subject: Re:3.65 unweighted GPA and a 1580 SAT from a BIG 3 - What should realistically be on the list
Every top 20 school should be considered a "reach" --Things have changed...
Anonymous
05/01/2019 13:57
Subject: Re:3.65 unweighted GPA and a 1580 SAT from a BIG 3 - What should realistically be on the list
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Do you really not know the answer?
Original Poster here: Its not easy to make such a list. Why make such a comment? The SAT is high IVY HYPMS. The GPA is low top 25. So please have something to offer or move along.
DC is open to all college experiences.
I am not being snarky, but have DC read this book over the summer and start making their own list.
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Colleges-2019-Universities/dp/1524757942
Theyve read all the guidebooks. Weve met with the college counselor. Its difficult when the GPA doesnt match the SAT. So Im asking the board - any other anecdotes of high SAT and great but not top 1% GPA - outcomes with Top 10 schools. Is that worth the time. Assume no other hooks.
My child with similar stats went big state U because of the free ride and personality match. Did not even try for competitive schools-went for scholarship money. We appreciated this and respect the smart decision to enter law school in a few years debt free.
My DC with 3.7 and 34 ACT from top private was rejected from UVA, UMCP and WL/rejected from Ohio State. It is really hard when you don't have the weighted GPA. They did get into all of the privates, even reaches and some big merit packages on the targets/safeties.
They could have gotten full ride at some OOS, but none they were interested in.
It can be hard at schools that don't have the staff to perform truly holistic admissions (see Ohio State, where they flat-out tell you that during campus visits).
Anonymous
05/01/2019 13:51
Subject: Re:3.65 unweighted GPA and a 1580 SAT from a BIG 3 - What should realistically be on the list
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Do you really not know the answer?
Original Poster here: Its not easy to make such a list. Why make such a comment? The SAT is high IVY HYPMS. The GPA is low top 25. So please have something to offer or move along.
DC is open to all college experiences.
I am not being snarky, but have DC read this book over the summer and start making their own list.
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Colleges-2019-Universities/dp/1524757942
Theyve read all the guidebooks. Weve met with the college counselor. Its difficult when the GPA doesnt match the SAT. So Im asking the board - any other anecdotes of high SAT and great but not top 1% GPA - outcomes with Top 10 schools. Is that worth the time. Assume no other hooks.
My child with similar stats went big state U because of the free ride and personality match. Did not even try for competitive schools-went for scholarship money. We appreciated this and respect the smart decision to enter law school in a few years debt free.
My DC with 3.7 and 34 ACT from top private was rejected from UVA, UMCP and WL/rejected from Ohio State. It is really hard when you don't have the weighted GPA. They did get into all of the privates, even reaches and some big merit packages on the targets/safeties.
They could have gotten full ride at some OOS, but none they were interested in.
Anonymous
05/01/2019 13:51
Subject: Re:3.65 unweighted GPA and a 1580 SAT from a BIG 3 - What should realistically be on the list
What are your DC's academic strengths?
What are your DC's academic interests?
Do they have a likely major (or 3?) If so, what are they?
Do they like cold weather, hot weather, don't care?
How far away is okay?
Do they like the rural, suburban or urban feel?
Do they like small or large schools or something in between?
Is money a factor?
Do they have a sport, instrument or club interest they want to continue in college?
What are the in state options that appeal to them?
What are your DC's academic interests?
Do they have a likely major (or 3?) If so, what are they?
Do they like cold weather, hot weather, don't care?
How far away is okay?
Do they like the rural, suburban or urban feel?
Do they like small or large schools or something in between?
Is money a factor?
Do they have a sport, instrument or club interest they want to continue in college?
What are the in state options that appeal to them?
Anonymous
05/01/2019 13:34
Subject: Re:3.65 unweighted GPA and a 1580 SAT from a BIG 3 - What should realistically be on the list
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Do you really not know the answer?
Original Poster here: Its not easy to make such a list. Why make such a comment? The SAT is high IVY HYPMS. The GPA is low top 25. So please have something to offer or move along.
DC is open to all college experiences.
I am not being snarky, but have DC read this book over the summer and start making their own list.
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Colleges-2019-Universities/dp/1524757942
Theyve read all the guidebooks. Weve met with the college counselor. Its difficult when the GPA doesnt match the SAT. So Im asking the board - any other anecdotes of high SAT and great but not top 1% GPA - outcomes with Top 10 schools. Is that worth the time. Assume no other hooks.
My child with similar stats went big state U because of the free ride and personality match. Did not even try for competitive schools-went for scholarship money. We appreciated this and respect the smart decision to enter law school in a few years debt free.
Anonymous
05/01/2019 13:30
Subject: Re:3.65 unweighted GPA and a 1580 SAT from a BIG 3 - What should realistically be on the list
Anonymous wrote:"Original Poster here. Its all over the map. Not a humble brag at all. GPA puts DC in the top 25% of class. Not top 10. So it makes things hard to gauge. Wants a liberal arts major. Not STEM."
Describe course rigor.
Where does the 3.65 come from? Is every math class a B or more like all classes are A- or random Bs or is there a D with mostly As?
If DC's only issues come from say math but they still have a 780 then HYPS are all in the game.
Ditto if the 3.65 comes from a horrible battle causing a year long D with one teacher.
If DC has never gotten the highest grade in any class they have ever taken but grinds out A minuses and overprepped the SAT then HYPS are unlikely.
Aren't HPYS-type schools highly unlikely for this kid regardless? If the kid has no hooks and good, but not amazing ECs (as seems to be the case if club leadership positions are the primary ones) it is not clear to me why any top 10 school would be realistic even for a kid with good grades at a top HS. There are thousands of kids across the country with almost perfect SATs or ACTs.
Anonymous
05/01/2019 13:29
Subject: Re:3.65 unweighted GPA and a 1580 SAT from a BIG 3 - What should realistically be on the list
Focus on schools who care about test scores. Wash U, Chicago, Tufts, Vanderbilt come to mind. The LACs like Amherst, Swat, Middlebury, Carleton. But surely these are on your radar already?
Anonymous
05/01/2019 13:25
Subject: 3.65 unweighted GPA and a 1580 SAT from a BIG 3 - What should realistically be on the list
My kid went to a top one private and has perfect everything. What are his options?
Anonymous
05/01/2019 13:23
Subject: 3.65 unweighted GPA and a 1580 SAT from a BIG 3 - What should realistically be on the list
Anonymous wrote:What does your college counselor suggest?
What does Naviance tell you?
What does your child want to study? Where do they want to live? Do they want a small college or a large university?
Otherwise, this is just a humble brag post.
Ding ding. Winner. “Oh jeepers my kid isn’t spectacular, merely great and gee can you guys tell me again how great he is? Did I mention top three?” Barf.
Anonymous
05/01/2019 13:20
Subject: 3.65 unweighted GPA and a 1580 SAT from a BIG 3 - What should realistically be on the list
So the OP is spending tens of thousands of dollars a year for one of the allegedly top private schools not only in this area but in the country, and has to go to this silly board to get recommendations for college? This is either a bizarre humble brag or that school sure is not what it’s cut out to be.