My child had relatively low SAT scores (for this area) but a high B GPA (3.7 unweighted, 4.2 weighted.)

Got significant merit aid (more than 25K) from a number of schools that might be considered second tier (ranked 30-90 for national LAC's).

I have heard that schools favor the high GPA low standardized test scores combo more than the reverse (IF they can't get high both) because it means the kid is willing to work hard/can prioritize school work, etc. They worry a bit about a kid who seems capable of doing better but either can't or won't.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of B students who got merit, can you please ID the schools?
I’d love to hear more from 15:18, for instance. My kid will have strong test scores and is working hard but in some of these public high school honors/AP classes, it’s hard to get an A.

Not in MCPS it isn’t!

It certainly is in FCPS. My kid works her butt off and is barely getting Bs in her AP classes.

My FCPS Junior is in the same boat (high scores, but not all As in rigorous honors and APs). Definitely following this entire thread!

Anonymous wrote:

Not in MCPS

If that’s your kid’s experience, that’s great. My kid’s Blair teachers are demanding and tough graders. I love it in one sense because college probably won’t be much of a change, but it doesn’t look spectacular on paper and the kid has to get into college first!

I think that it’s a myth that everyone gets all As. My child is also at Blair, works very hard, high PSATs, and does not have all As.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who in God’s name wants to go to those schools PP?

IDK, Ohio State alone has over 45,000 undergrads, so I'm going to go with... a lot of people.

Not to mention some of the best programs in the country (Purdue-engineering; Indiana-business; Ohio State-overall undergraduate program, business, engineering).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of B students who got merit, can you please ID the schools?
I’d love to hear more from 15:18, for instance. My kid will have strong test scores and is working hard but in some of these public high school honors/AP classes, it’s hard to get an A.

Not in MCPS it isn’t!

It certainly is in FCPS. My kid works her butt off and is barely getting Bs in her AP classes.

+1 This has been our experience in FCPS too. My kid compares activities/grades with a friend in Loudoun County and there's a big disparity in both activities and grading practices in the "same" AP class. But this is why colleges look at a kid's grades in the context of their school.

^^^ PP here. I should add, my B student had excellent test scores.