Anonymous wrote:The question was dumb for a lot of reasons. Not least because they are very obviously looking for only certain kinds of answers about certain kinds of discrimination. I am guessing an Asian kid writing about needing scores hundreds of points higher than other races for admission ain’t it. *

VT admissions is a train wreck. They have had one screwup after another, the decision notice dates are absurd, and they are routinely sending out e-mails to kids in error. Even so when I saw that question on the application I was still dumbfounded.

* I am not asian.

Well said.

The question was dumb for a lot of reasons. Not least because they are very obviously looking for only certain kinds of answers about certain kinds of discrimination. I am guessing an Asian kid writing about needing scores hundreds of points higher than other races for admission ain’t it. *

VT admissions is a train wreck. They have had one screwup after another, the decision notice dates are absurd, and they are routinely sending out e-mails to kids in error. Even so when I saw that question on the application I was still dumbfounded.

* I am not asian.

Anonymous wrote:I guess in this day and age, I would be concerned about any HS student that couldn't share their own experience or perspective on question #2, or who wouldn't be comfortable going to an educational institution that acknowledges the value of various perspectives and life experiences. I see the answer as simple as "I know it when I see it kind of thing and here's what I think."

Another minority parent

Pandering.

I guess in this day and age, I would be concerned about any HS student that couldn't share their own experience or perspective on question #2, or who wouldn't be comfortable going to an educational institution that acknowledges the value of various perspectives and life experiences. I see the answer as simple as "I know it when I see it kind of thing and here's what I think."

Another minority parent

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is pathetic is that being a minority/experiencing discrimination is important for admission to an educational institution. Social engineering at its finest.

This! (I'm a minority).

+1,000
Another minority. Pandering at its finest.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is pathetic is that being a minority/experiencing discrimination is important for admission to an educational institution. Social engineering at its finest.

This! (I'm a minority).

Totally agree. DS wrote about an issue in his school that he actually had no involvement in but as if he knew the kids involved and regretted not standing up to them when the talk started around the lunch table (he did get accepted). He also considered writing about the time in middle school when he had to do an "about me" presentation, included something about being a Christian and was laughed at for that. But we didn't think that was the kind of discrimination VT was interested in from an UMC White boy so opted not to do that.

I did some looking for any explanation VT gave when they revamped their admissions a few years ago and found this article: https://roanoke.com/news/education/virginia-tech-to-revamp-application-process-for-potential-new-students/article_9b4e5a35-c3c1-546c-81d1-5690a85f4c3c.html

Sounds like at that point they hadn't finalized the four questions but did say:

According to Virginia Tech interim director for admissions Juan Espinoza, the school will ask students questions that will show skills in the following areas:

Positive Self-concept
Recognizes and accepts any strengths and deficiencies, especially academic, and works hard at self-development.
Exhibits a realistic view of the system based upon personal experience. Committed to improving the existing system. Takes an assertive approach to dealing with existing wrongs, but is not hostile to society, nor is a "cop-out."
Plans ahead and sets goals.
Seeks and takes advantage of a strong support network or has someone to turn to in a crisis or for encouragement.
Demonstrates strong leadership in any area of his/her background (e.g. church, sports, non-educational groups, etc.).
Participates and is involved in his/her community.
Acquires knowledge in a sustained and/or culturally related ways in any field.

Not all of these made it specifically into the final question but the "discrimination" Q clearly addresses the "realistic view of the system."

Anonymous wrote:What is pathetic is that being a minority/experiencing discrimination is important for admission to an educational institution. Social engineering at its finest.

This! (I'm a minority).

What is pathetic is that being a minority/experiencing discrimination is important for admission to an educational institution. Social engineering at its finest.

erious question. How does a middle class or UMC kid (esp one that is white) answer this question? I mean, I'm pretty sure my child will never truly experience this . . . not on the same level as a POC. SO that's it, they're out?

Do you honestly think only URM kids face or have witnessed discrimination? Have you considered religious discrimination? LGBTQ? Gender? Age? Regional (such as people discriminating against someone for their southern accent or all the jokes about how people from WVa marry their cousins)? Every kid on social media has seen the murder of George Floyd and the recent horrific attacks on Asian Americans. This week, my kid and I witnessed a young woman yelling at an older gentleman because he wasn't moving out of her way fast enough. She got in his face and yelled that he should only be allowed to shop "during old people time." The woman had the jewlery & clothing of a goth kid and the old guy was clearly afraid as she stomped past him. Geeez, step outside your bubble for a minute.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son, high stat LCPS/AET kid, was waitlisted. Answered essays as admissions advised, double legacy, yadda yadda. It’s his #1 choice so praying it comes through (but not holding my breath) Sounds like everyone was waitlisted. my question is for other waitlisted families is, do you plan on having your son/daughter email continued interest to admission? Is this helpful? I keep reading there is no ranked waitlist and it’s random... which is why I’m not hopeful.

We will be withdrawing. It was a safety for us and we have better options at this point. As another pp pointed out, I bet a lot of high stats kids will be dropping off the list and VT will be digging deep into their waitlist to fill the class.. Good luck!

Same boat, Son will be withdrawing, other options, hope your son gets in, as pp said think a lot will be dropping off the list freeing up many spots.

We will be withdrawing, too. Don't want to be where they don't want us, and harassing admissions certainly won't help.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So one of the few useful things I’ve learned about on DCUM is the Common Data Set. After trying to follow this discussion (and also interested because my DC is a junior interested in Virginia Tech) I looked at it today. For the academic year 2020-2021 (kids who started as freshmen last fall) it says the following are “Very Important” for freshman admission decisions: Rigor of secondary record, academic GPA, Application Essay, First Generation, Geographical Residence, State Residency, and Racial/ethnic status. So instead of arguing or speculating, the CDC tells us what’s most important. Interestingly, nothing listed as “Important”, the second highest category. The following are “Considered”: standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, alumni relation, volunteer work, work experience. NOT considered: class rank, recommendations, interview, religious affiliation, level of applicant interest. It also says test scores will be considered if submitted for those applying for entrance in Fall 2022, which includes my junior.

It's important to note that the application essay is only their 4 specific questions. They do not look at the common app essay at all. They put a LOT of emphasis on the essays. The questions allow a pretty short answer (120 words) and cover:

1) A community you have been involved in and how you serve that community (very important to VT, reflected in their school motto)
2) A time you experienced or were involved in an act of discrimination (a chance for URMs in particular to show their resilience, harder Q for your typical White student to answer)
3) Example of leadership
4) Long term goal. It doesn't say it in the Q but Admissions told DS they are really looking here for a career goal. This is your chance to say how VT/particular major fits into your goals and how you have been working toward that. I wonder if this was a big miss for some of the high-stats kids that got waitlisted. Seems unfair to me that they aren't clear about that in the question.

Serious question. How does a middle class or UMC kid (esp one that is white) answer this question? I mean, I'm pretty sure my child will never truly experience this . . . not on the same level as a POC. SO that's it, they're out?

My son (white middle class) was gonna apply as a safety and he took one look at these and said NOPE, I've got nothing. My daughter did apply and bullshitted her way through them, she actually wrote about being discriminated against as a girl LOL (hey it still works), in her chosen sport but it was pretty lame. There is honestly not alot you can say in 120 words anyway. She pulled her app when she got into her ED school so no idea if she would have been accepted.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So one of the few useful things I’ve learned about on DCUM is the Common Data Set. After trying to follow this discussion (and also interested because my DC is a junior interested in Virginia Tech) I looked at it today. For the academic year 2020-2021 (kids who started as freshmen last fall) it says the following are “Very Important” for freshman admission decisions: Rigor of secondary record, academic GPA, Application Essay, First Generation, Geographical Residence, State Residency, and Racial/ethnic status. So instead of arguing or speculating, the CDC tells us what’s most important. Interestingly, nothing listed as “Important”, the second highest category. The following are “Considered”: standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, alumni relation, volunteer work, work experience. NOT considered: class rank, recommendations, interview, religious affiliation, level of applicant interest. It also says test scores will be considered if submitted for those applying for entrance in Fall 2022, which includes my junior.

It's important to note that the application essay is only their 4 specific questions. They do not look at the common app essay at all. They put a LOT of emphasis on the essays. The questions allow a pretty short answer (120 words) and cover:

1) A community you have been involved in and how you serve that community (very important to VT, reflected in their school motto)
2) A time you experienced or were involved in an act of discrimination (a chance for URMs in particular to show their resilience, harder Q for your typical White student to answer)
3) Example of leadership
4) Long term goal. It doesn't say it in the Q but Admissions told DS they are really looking here for a career goal. This is your chance to say how VT/particular major fits into your goals and how you have been working toward that. I wonder if this was a big miss for some of the high-stats kids that got waitlisted. Seems unfair to me that they aren't clear about that in the question.

Serious question. How does a middle class or UMC kid (esp one that is white) answer this question? I mean, I'm pretty sure my child will never truly experience this . . . not on the same level as a POC. SO that's it, they're out?

Q2 is dumb. I checked with DC (Asian) and he said he made something up for that question. Refused to discuss what he wrote. Waitlisted.. The admissions people probably didn't believe it

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So one of the few useful things I’ve learned about on DCUM is the Common Data Set. After trying to follow this discussion (and also interested because my DC is a junior interested in Virginia Tech) I looked at it today. For the academic year 2020-2021 (kids who started as freshmen last fall) it says the following are “Very Important” for freshman admission decisions: Rigor of secondary record, academic GPA, Application Essay, First Generation, Geographical Residence, State Residency, and Racial/ethnic status. So instead of arguing or speculating, the CDC tells us what’s most important. Interestingly, nothing listed as “Important”, the second highest category. The following are “Considered”: standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, alumni relation, volunteer work, work experience. NOT considered: class rank, recommendations, interview, religious affiliation, level of applicant interest. It also says test scores will be considered if submitted for those applying for entrance in Fall 2022, which includes my junior.

It's important to note that the application essay is only their 4 specific questions. They do not look at the common app essay at all. They put a LOT of emphasis on the essays. The questions allow a pretty short answer (120 words) and cover:

1) A community you have been involved in and how you serve that community (very important to VT, reflected in their school motto)
2) A time you experienced or were involved in an act of discrimination (a chance for URMs in particular to show their resilience, harder Q for your typical White student to answer)
3) Example of leadership
4) Long term goal. It doesn't say it in the Q but Admissions told DS they are really looking here for a career goal. This is your chance to say how VT/particular major fits into your goals and how you have been working toward that. I wonder if this was a big miss for some of the high-stats kids that got waitlisted. Seems unfair to me that they aren't clear about that in the question.

Serious question. How does a middle class or UMC kid (esp one that is white) answer this question? I mean, I'm pretty sure my child will never truly experience this . . . not on the same level as a POC. SO that's it, they're out?

The prompt also includes being a witness to an act of discrimination. So, you can talk about a situation when you were a bystander and either did stand up for the people being hurt or your regret for not speaking up/taking action and how you wish you'd handled it. This is essentially how my DD (White UMC) responded to the prompt and she was accepted.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So one of the few useful things I’ve learned about on DCUM is the Common Data Set. After trying to follow this discussion (and also interested because my DC is a junior interested in Virginia Tech) I looked at it today. For the academic year 2020-2021 (kids who started as freshmen last fall) it says the following are “Very Important” for freshman admission decisions: Rigor of secondary record, academic GPA, Application Essay, First Generation, Geographical Residence, State Residency, and Racial/ethnic status. So instead of arguing or speculating, the CDC tells us what’s most important. Interestingly, nothing listed as “Important”, the second highest category. The following are “Considered”: standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, alumni relation, volunteer work, work experience. NOT considered: class rank, recommendations, interview, religious affiliation, level of applicant interest. It also says test scores will be considered if submitted for those applying for entrance in Fall 2022, which includes my junior.

It's important to note that the application essay is only their 4 specific questions. They do not look at the common app essay at all. They put a LOT of emphasis on the essays. The questions allow a pretty short answer (120 words) and cover:

1) A community you have been involved in and how you serve that community (very important to VT, reflected in their school motto)
2) A time you experienced or were involved in an act of discrimination (a chance for URMs in particular to show their resilience, harder Q for your typical White student to answer)
3) Example of leadership
4) Long term goal. It doesn't say it in the Q but Admissions told DS they are really looking here for a career goal. This is your chance to say how VT/particular major fits into your goals and how you have been working toward that. I wonder if this was a big miss for some of the high-stats kids that got waitlisted. Seems unfair to me that they aren't clear about that in the question.

Serious question. How does a middle class or UMC kid (esp one that is white) answer this question? I mean, I'm pretty sure my child will never truly experience this . . . not on the same level as a POC. SO that's it, they're out?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son, high stat LCPS/AET kid, was waitlisted. Answered essays as admissions advised, double legacy, yadda yadda. It’s his #1 choice so praying it comes through (but not holding my breath) Sounds like everyone was waitlisted. my question is for other waitlisted families is, do you plan on having your son/daughter email continued interest to admission? Is this helpful? I keep reading there is no ranked waitlist and it’s random... which is why I’m not hopeful.

We will be withdrawing. It was a safety for us and we have better options at this point. As another pp pointed out, I bet a lot of high stats kids will be dropping off the list and VT will be digging deep into their waitlist to fill the class.. Good luck!

Same boat, Son will be withdrawing, other options, hope your son gets in, as pp said think a lot will be dropping off the list freeing up many spots.