Anonymous wrote:One thing the host says on YCBK that is very true is “respect the competition”. Sure, your kid is great but there are tons of great kids for a million reasons and they can’t all get a spot.

+1 VT clearly doesn't just want the highest-stats kids. They have a threshold, probably a mix of grades, scores if available, and aspects of the transcript that align with the major, and above that threshold the essays hold huge weight.

DS got in a couple years ago. Not the highest stats but strong in math and related subjects, applied to a major where that mattered (not engineering), used the essays to show deep involvement in service + how the major at VT supported his career goal. He essentially used the "goal" questions as a "why VT" opportunity, which was recommended by an admissions officer in an info session. He explained his career goal, what he'd done to inform his choice of that major and why he wanted the VT program.

It is well-known that VT appears to be very random with their acceptances. Having that info ahead of time (coming from FCPS, we had heard many stories!), we encouraged our kid to really focus on those essays, she highlighted her volunteering on the application, and the impact it had on the community, and on herself. Add to that, she applied to a less popular major. Her gpa was low, due to a health issue soph year. I assume her counselor mentioned that somewhere. SAT was within range, one of her ECs lined up with major. Not sure if they consider AP scores, but her’s (Mostly 5s and one 4). Also got into Penn State (main campus) and UTK.

One thing the host says on YCBK that is very true is “respect the competition”. Sure, your kid is great but there are tons of great kids for a million reasons and they can’t all get a spot.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of sour grapes and entitlement here.

+1
Every single year. So predictable. “DC *deserved* to get in!!” Followed by, “well, he wouldn’t have gone anyway.” Sure, Jan.

Come on, VT is not like HYPSM to even think of "sour grapes"!

They just have a pretty random admission policy. That seems to trigger a lot of snow flakes who seem to be foaming at the mouth at any criticism!

LOL as if a person can only be bitter about being rejected from HYPSM. There are pretty much 19 pages of bitterness and bashing of the admissions process here. I thought this was supposed to be a thread to celebrate student acceptances but no, I guess the kids who were accepted just lucked out. They aren’t top achievers like your kid who was rejected and cheated of their rightful place at VT.

Anonymous wrote:Virginia tech's motto is That I May Serve. They say over and over again that service is very important to them. They want to see lots of community service and they want a compelling (short answer) essay about that service.

Exactly. This is really important part of the application.

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]They thought the short essays were stupid, so I am sure they did not put 100% effort into them.[/quote]

It’s no surprise that a very smart student would see through the short essay questions for VT. They are performative nonsense.[/quote]

I felt like every essay my kid wrote, outside their main essay, was unnecessary non-sense. It felt in each case like a hoop jumping exercise to demonstrate you were willing to put for a minimum amount of effort to be considered for admission.[/quote]

I disagree. The questions aligned with their values which check whether the students would be a good fit at the school. [/quote]

💯[/quote]

DS with lower stats got in and he has hundreds of volunteer hours and [b]wrote a compelling response to one of their questions[/b] about other service he did. [/quote]
Thanks mom[/quote]

My kid got in VT so happy about that, but I really do question the value of the answers to the prompts. We know several students - and I'm sure there are many, many more - who write a draft which is then heavily edited by parents, paid consultants, etc. to the point it's not really what the kid wrote anymore. And with thousands and thousands of applications to review there's no way the admissions people can check if the claims in the answers are even true. So why put much stock in them? [/quote]

Isn't the main essay in the Common App the same thing? Also, all the other schools my DC applied to required additional essays but I don't see the same level of animosity at those schools. [/quote]

Yes, I basically think the same about the Common App essay. But I'm not aware of other schools with the same general level of selectiveness as VT that, at least according to DCUM, allegedly put so much emphasis on essays/prompt answers. [/quote]

So because they're not as selective as other schools they shouldn't care about the essays? That's weird. [/quote]

No, it's that for extremely selective schools, just about every accepted student (apart from recruited athletes or other such hooks) has very high stats whereas there are reportedly wide discrepancies in the stats of accepted students at VT.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got in! Engineering! But waiting on top choice W&M.

You would take WM over VT for engineering? Mkay.

I believe it. People choose schools for different reasons. VT was my son's #1 until they cow-towed to Trump and dropped all their diversity programs. Son got in for engineering 3.98 uw/4.6 w, 35 ACT, captain of robotics team, Physics tutor, tons of volunteer hours, Varsity football and lacrosse all 4 years in HS. He is opting for an HBCU. Of course the W&M person is choosing it for other reasons. My point is people pass up what others deem "superior" for all kinds of reasons you may not understand.

Good grief. You realize that ALL colleges have to follow the law, right? Which means no racial discrimination. But sure, continue to blame VT for simply following the law.
DP

DP. I’m a lawyer, and no law required VT to do this. An executive order is not a law. An executive order is a directive from the President that governs how the executive branch carries out existing law. Last i checked VT is not a part of the executive branch. After the Supreme Court ended affirmative action, VT continued these programs. They were withdrawn only after the Trump administration threatened universities with funding consequences.

I am not a minority, so I can’t speak to how the original poster feels. But I did not see them blaming VT. Although VT deserves being criticized for canceling programs, without having to legally, particularly after a federal judge ruled that the administration could not withhold funds from institutions that maintained diversity programs.

That said, as a woman, if a school I liked began eliminating programs aimed at women, I would seriously consider other options. Besides all these waitlisted people should be happy this student is rejecting their offer.

DP. First we have parents complaining about the DEI policies at VT. For years, they complain about the push to enroll more first-gen and URMs. Then the school stops that push, and - other parents complain. They can't win. Personally, the only kind of preferential treatment I can get behind is something that helps smart but low income students who otherwise wouldn't have a chance to go to college. I'm perfectly fine getting rid of race and gender preferences. And I'm a woman, too.

Plenty of schools have gotten rid of their DEI programs and policies. Good for them.

And THAT post right there only confirms the kid above is making the correct choice. Seems everyone wins!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They thought the short essays were stupid, so I am sure they did not put 100% effort into them.

It’s no surprise that a very smart student would see through the short essay questions for VT. They are performative nonsense.

I felt like every essay my kid wrote, outside their main essay, was unnecessary non-sense. It felt in each case like a hoop jumping exercise to demonstrate you were willing to put for a minimum amount of effort to be considered for admission.

DP. I prefer a school that requires essays rather than just a throwaway application that anyone and everyone will submit. Now THAT’S a lazy tactic designed to get more applicants.

I’m not disputing it. My kid wrote lots of essays. But often they felt like more of a “are you willing to address my prompt” than anything. Like one of UVM’s prompts was “why type of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream would you be?” or something or the like. Trust me, nobody is cutting and pasting from another essay to answer that question.

And UChicago has lots of quirky essay prompts that take time to answer. It is what it is.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They thought the short essays were stupid, so I am sure they did not put 100% effort into them.

It’s no surprise that a very smart student would see through the short essay questions for VT. They are performative nonsense.

I felt like every essay my kid wrote, outside their main essay, was unnecessary non-sense. It felt in each case like a hoop jumping exercise to demonstrate you were willing to put for a minimum amount of effort to be considered for admission.

DP. I prefer a school that requires essays rather than just a throwaway application that anyone and everyone will submit. Now THAT’S a lazy tactic designed to get more applicants.

I’m not disputing it. My kid wrote lots of essays. But often they felt like more of a “are you willing to address my prompt” than anything. Like one of UVM’s prompts was “why type of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream would you be?” or something or the like. Trust me, nobody is cutting and pasting from another essay to answer that question.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got in! Engineering! But waiting on top choice W&M.

You would take WM over VT for engineering? Mkay.

I believe it. People choose schools for different reasons. VT was my son's #1 until they cow-towed to Trump and dropped all their diversity programs. Son got in for engineering 3.98 uw/4.6 w, 35 ACT, captain of robotics team, Physics tutor, tons of volunteer hours, Varsity football and lacrosse all 4 years in HS. He is opting for an HBCU. Of course the W&M person is choosing it for other reasons. My point is people pass up what others deem "superior" for all kinds of reasons you may not understand.

Good grief. You realize that ALL colleges have to follow the law, right? Which means no racial discrimination. But sure, continue to blame VT for simply following the law.
DP

DP. I’m a lawyer, and no law required VT to do this. An executive order is not a law. An executive order is a directive from the President that governs how the executive branch carries out existing law. Last i checked VT is not a part of the executive branch. After the Supreme Court ended affirmative action, VT continued these programs. They were withdrawn only after the Trump administration threatened universities with funding consequences.

I am not a minority, so I can’t speak to how the original poster feels. But I did not see them blaming VT. Although VT deserves being criticized for canceling programs, without having to legally, particularly after a federal judge ruled that the administration could not withhold funds from institutions that maintained diversity programs.

That said, as a woman, if a school I liked began eliminating programs aimed at women, I would seriously consider other options. Besides all these waitlisted people should be happy this student is rejecting their offer.

DP. First we have parents complaining about the DEI policies at VT. For years, they complain about the push to enroll more first-gen and URMs. Then the school stops that push, and - other parents complain. They can't win. Personally, the only kind of preferential treatment I can get behind is something that helps smart but low income students who otherwise wouldn't have a chance to go to college. I'm perfectly fine getting rid of race and gender preferences. And I'm a woman, too.

Plenty of schools have gotten rid of their DEI programs and policies. Good for them.

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]They thought the short essays were stupid, so I am sure they did not put 100% effort into them.[/quote]

It’s no surprise that a very smart student would see through the short essay questions for VT. They are performative nonsense.[/quote]

I felt like every essay my kid wrote, outside their main essay, was unnecessary non-sense. It felt in each case like a hoop jumping exercise to demonstrate you were willing to put for a minimum amount of effort to be considered for admission.[/quote]

I disagree. The questions aligned with their values which check whether the students would be a good fit at the school. [/quote]

💯[/quote]

DS with lower stats got in and he has hundreds of volunteer hours and [b]wrote a compelling response to one of their questions[/b] about other service he did. [/quote]
Thanks mom[/quote]

My kid got in VT so happy about that, but I really do question the value of the answers to the prompts. We know several students - and I'm sure there are many, many more - who write a draft which is then heavily edited by parents, paid consultants, etc. to the point it's not really what the kid wrote anymore. And with thousands and thousands of applications to review there's no way the admissions people can check if the claims in the answers are even true. So why put much stock in them? [/quote]

Isn't the main essay in the Common App the same thing? Also, all the other schools my DC applied to required additional essays but I don't see the same level of animosity at those schools. [/quote]

Yes, I basically think the same about the Common App essay. But I'm not aware of other schools with the same general level of selectiveness as VT that, at least according to DCUM, allegedly put so much emphasis on essays/prompt answers. [/quote]

So because they're not as selective as other schools they shouldn't care about the essays? That's weird.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of sour grapes and entitlement here.

+1
Every single year. So predictable. “DC *deserved* to get in!!” Followed by, “well, he wouldn’t have gone anyway.” Sure, Jan.

Come on, VT is not like HYPSM to even think of "sour grapes"!

They just have a pretty random admission policy. That seems to trigger a lot of snow flakes who seem to be foaming at the mouth at any criticism!

Oh, come on. Are you new here? It is true that every year, parents whose kids were not accepted come here in disbelief to rant about it. We don't see this with other schools, where presumably kids are also rejected. VT seems to serve as some kind of a punching bag for upset parents. And yes, of course it's sour grapes when you expect your kid will get in but then they don't.

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]They thought the short essays were stupid, so I am sure they did not put 100% effort into them.[/quote]

It’s no surprise that a very smart student would see through the short essay questions for VT. They are performative nonsense.[/quote]

I felt like every essay my kid wrote, outside their main essay, was unnecessary non-sense. It felt in each case like a hoop jumping exercise to demonstrate you were willing to put for a minimum amount of effort to be considered for admission.[/quote]

I disagree. The questions aligned with their values which check whether the students would be a good fit at the school. [/quote]

💯[/quote]

DS with lower stats got in and he has hundreds of volunteer hours and [b]wrote a compelling response to one of their questions[/b] about other service he did. [/quote]
Thanks mom[/quote]

My kid got in VT so happy about that, but I really do question the value of the answers to the prompts. We know several students - and I'm sure there are many, many more - who write a draft which is then heavily edited by parents, paid consultants, etc. to the point it's not really what the kid wrote anymore. And with thousands and thousands of applications to review there's no way the admissions people can check if the claims in the answers are even true. So why put much stock in them? [/quote]

Isn't the main essay in the Common App the same thing? Also, all the other schools my DC applied to required additional essays but I don't see the same level of animosity at those schools. [/quote]

Yes, I basically think the same about the Common App essay. But I'm not aware of other schools with the same general level of selectiveness as VT that, at least according to DCUM, allegedly put so much emphasis on essays/prompt answers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got in! Engineering! But waiting on top choice W&M.

You would take WM over VT for engineering? Mkay.

I believe it. People choose schools for different reasons. VT was my son's #1 until they cow-towed to Trump and dropped all their diversity programs. Son got in for engineering 3.98 uw/4.6 w, 35 ACT, captain of robotics team, Physics tutor, tons of volunteer hours, Varsity football and lacrosse all 4 years in HS. He is opting for an HBCU. Of course the W&M person is choosing it for other reasons. My point is people pass up what others deem "superior" for all kinds of reasons you may not understand.

Good grief. You realize that ALL colleges have to follow the law, right? Which means no racial discrimination. But sure, continue to blame VT for simply following the law.
DP

DP. I’m a lawyer, and no law required VT to do this. An executive order is not a law. An executive order is a directive from the President that governs how the executive branch carries out existing law. Last i checked VT is not a part of the executive branch. After the Supreme Court ended affirmative action, VT continued these programs. They were withdrawn only after the Trump administration threatened universities with funding consequences.

I am not a minority, so I can’t speak to how the original poster feels. But I did not see them blaming VT. Although VT deserves being criticized for canceling programs, without having to legally, particularly after a federal judge ruled that the administration could not withhold funds from institutions that maintained diversity programs.

That said, as a woman, if a school I liked began eliminating programs aimed at women, I would seriously consider other options. Besides all these waitlisted people should be happy this student is rejecting their offer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of sour grapes and entitlement here.

+1
Every single year. So predictable. “DC *deserved* to get in!!” Followed by, “well, he wouldn’t have gone anyway.” Sure, Jan.

Come on, VT is not like HYPSM to even think of "sour grapes"!

They just have a pretty random admission policy. That seems to trigger a lot of snow flakes who seem to be foaming at the mouth at any criticism!