So, his GPA is around 3.6-3.7? It's so hard to judge what that means for a particular high school. Where does he fall in the class? Sorry if I missed it.

I think Tufts (ED) and BU are absolutely possibilities. USC is unlikely but apply anyway. UCSB you'd need to check his UC GPA, which is only for 10th and 11th https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/ and https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/about-us/information-center/admissions-source-school

Michigan is hard to say; who Michigan takes can be confusing. Worth a try.

As noted upthread, Santa Clara will need demonstrated interest. Also may not be as urban in vibe as he is hoping. It's nice that EA results for SCU come in December.

GW is a low target; apply RD and expect merit. DU is a safety.

U Rochester would be a target. If U Roch is of interest, also Case Western.

ED will be a huge help at the private schools.

You also need to figure out where he falls in the class.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is a good student (A- unweighted at a decent but not "top tier" private school outside DMV), strong standard ECs (varsity sport/club leadership, community service), strong SAT (1510).
Major: Undecided social sciences

Has anyone had a DC attend or have experiences at these colleges that you'd be willing to share?
University of Denver
UW Seattle
McGill
UC Davis or UC Santa Cruz
Santa Clara
U Wisconsin Madison

Finally, would these reaches (USC, BU, tufts, NYU, UCSB, Michigan) be too high of a reach for this profile student? He's interested in applying but I'm afraid they're too reachy.

I have a similar DS (private school, good ECs, same GPA range, 35 ACT). I kept hearing how boys like this are sought after by top colleges, but he has had surprising deferrals so far. Maybe the January round of EA decisions will be better, but it has been hard for him.

I get your frustration. But, I'm assuming your DS is applying at highly selective schools These schools receive thousands of apps a cycle with everyone at the top of their class with strong stats. We had the same issue last cycle with my DS with similar stats. Deferred most places at the start. However, he was admitted later in RD to most of his top choices. So, don't give up hope.

I have a DD accepted ED at BU
Test optional with a 1430
Weighted GPA ~4.2 - high rigor at their private high school - but not the highest
For a male - with higher stats, I think he is in the mix.

We loved university of denver - ds ended up at Miami (in suburbs of Miami)- he definitely wanted a city school.

We visited UW last summer and it is beautiful. Kids seemed happy, lots of options for majors and in Seattle. It is a big state flagship and very popular with western states.

University of Denver is another great option.

Anonymous wrote:University of Arizona, if you consider Tucson to be a big enough city

Arizona State University in Phoenix

+1 U of A. We have family in Tucson...great city and U of A is in a cute, college-y neighborhood. Plus, great weather during academic year.

Anonymous wrote:A boy with good grades and 1500+ SAT from a strong private school has a good chance at Tufts if he applies ED (only do that if he really likes it). FWIW, my DS is there and LOVES it (had a similar profile and a couple other academically strong but not tippy-top boys from his private got in ED...the girls had a harder time)....

Agree with this, Tufts ED is possible.

University of Arizona, if you consider Tucson to be a big enough city

Arizona State University in Phoenix

How about Emory? Kids from my kid’s strong but not top private get in both RD and ED with similar profiles.

Anonymous wrote:My DS is a good student (A- unweighted at a decent but not "top tier" private school outside DMV), strong standard ECs (varsity sport/club leadership, community service), strong SAT (1510).
Major: Undecided social sciences

Has anyone had a DC attend or have experiences at these colleges that you'd be willing to share?
University of Denver
UW Seattle
McGill
UC Davis or UC Santa Cruz
Santa Clara
U Wisconsin Madison

Finally, would these reaches (USC, BU, tufts, NYU, UCSB, Michigan) be too high of a reach for this profile student? He's interested in applying but I'm afraid they're too reachy.

I have a similar DS (private school, good ECs, same GPA range, 35 ACT). I kept hearing how boys like this are sought after by top colleges, but he has had surprising deferrals so far. Maybe the January round of EA decisions will be better, but it has been hard for him.

Anonymous wrote:Michigan is a maybe. 1500+ SAT is good.

There is a home for kids who are not Ivy shoo-ins.

ED is new this year. Make sure the price is not a barrier. If so, don't bother with ED or EA.

Do not apply as an Econ major. It's too popular. Pick another social science.

If applying EA, apply as early as possible. Show interest by attending webinars, trying to meet an AO at a college fair or at school, and signing up for any junk mail.

ED OOS at Michigan was a nightmare this year. It was a wasted ED because they deferred basically everyone just like they have been doing for years in EA. Did not improve chances of getting in at all. What a joke.

Anonymous wrote:What about BU general studies? It’s an easier admit.

Or UB? University of Buffalo ? It checks every box for OPs DS.

Good shot at NYU and BU.

Might want to consider the DC schools - GW, AU, maybe Georgetown depending on the high school.

Maybe consider BC, Villanova (both are Catholic) or Brandeis (Jewish).

Anonymous wrote:U Denver could be a safety. My DS with lower stats got in EA with merit. We did not visit or demonstrate any interest.

We were underwhelmed with most UC schools besides Cal and UCLA, and the process of applying to UC schools OOS was eye opening.

Consider Fordham (target) and University of Oregon (safety)

I can’t imagine a kid going to Oregon over UC Davis academically. UCD is a harder admit than Oregon but a reasonable target, with a higher OOS admit rate around 60% than in state around 40%.