Anonymous
Post 09/11/2021 18:12     Subject: Does DS need a safeties
The kid is in state in California. Chances of admission to the UCs are extremely high, though I’d still add a couple more to be the safeties.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2021 18:01     Subject: Does DS need a safeties
One thing I learned from hearing stories from last year’s class (if it wasn’t already obvious) is that applying to 10 schools with 10% (or lower) acceptance rates does not give you a 100% chance of acceptance.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2021 17:41     Subject: Does DS need a safeties
Anonymous wrote: He thinks his list is too long already.

Bay Area public school:

Intended Major: Biochem/Chem

GPA: 3.73 UW, 4.2W -

No class rank

Freshman: 3.41 UW 3.75W (5 B's 1 C) -> Sophomore: 4.0 UW 4.33W (all A's) -> Junior: 3.92 UW 4.59W (1 B+ in meaningless class)


SAT: 1580 // 780/800

APs: Micro 5, Macro 4, Stats 5, Bio 4, Chem 5, BC 5 and planning on taking APES, Physics 1, Lit;



ECs:

Tennis Varsity Captain (our team is current league champion)

ChemE internship (1 year)

Tutoring organization head officer(3 years)

DECA Chapter Officer and placed as a world finalist twice, 2nd at states once (3 years)

Founder of Biology/Chem Club at my school with large presence on campus (2 years)

Private tennis coach (4 years)

Shadowed physician (2 months)

Commercial laboratory assistant (1 year)



Tufts

Emory (ED1)

WashU

Rice

Northwestern

Vanderbilt

UNC Chapel Hill (EA)

University of Michigan (EA)

Cornell University

Stanford University

UCLA

UC Berkeley




DD knew a '20 classmate through a few sports/school clubs. From what I gather from DD, girl had perfect SAT subject scores, near perfect SAT, and much higher GPA than here. School doesn't offer APs, but girl was enrolled in every possible intensive core subject class. Shut out everywhere. Now at a Big 10 (not Michigan) school. My DD is hard charging, very smart and this freaked her out as she thinks this girl is a much better student than her.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2021 17:13     Subject: Re:Does DS need a safeties
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:He’s fine. Berkeley is his safety.


Berkeley is nobody's safety.


Did you hear it whoosh over your head?
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2021 17:11     Subject: Does DS need a safeties
Chances of rejection based on recent numbers- obviously you are in state for the CA schools, but...

Anonymous wrote:


Tufts 88%

Emory (ED1) 88%

WashU 88%

Rice 88%

Northwestern 92%

Vanderbilt 85%

UNC Chapel Hill (EA) OOS is VERY difficult

University of Michigan (EA) 75%

Cornell University 92%

Stanford University 95%

UCLA

UC Berkeley

​




So given those odds, yes, your kid needs safeties.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2021 15:51     Subject: Does DS need a safeties
This is a dc area board. We know nothing about the bay area. This would be a better question for college confidential. But yes, everyone needs safeties, unless they are content with community college as a backup
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2021 15:34     Subject: Re:Does DS need a safeties
Anonymous wrote:He’s fine. Berkeley is his safety.


Berkeley is nobody's safety.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2021 15:06     Subject: Does DS need a safeties
Anonymous wrote:What is his race/ethnicity?


I’m sorry, but this.

William and Mary has a great Chem program.

Add Davis, UCSB, UDub and UCSD. Kenyon also has a good program.

UToronto, UBC, Imperial (London), and UCL should garner a look.

Bay Area is tough stuff!
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2021 14:41     Subject: Does DS need a safeties
I am always amazed at how many of the southern kids have worse scores, and get into Stanford, the Ivies, and other top notch schools with worse stats. /// Safety School: Purdue University, University of Arkansas, Kansas State
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2021 14:34     Subject: Re:Does DS need a safeties
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:He sounds like a very bright kid but I think you and he need a major reality check. My child has similar sat and ECs and much higher gpa and would think this list was absurdly optimistic. I’d go back the drawing board for sure.


Definitely. This list is all reaches in my opinion. 100%


+1 That is a list of reaches due to the low acceptance rate of every school on the list. The point isn't that he isn't qualified, it's that he is one of many who are qualified and there are only so many seats.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2021 14:22     Subject: Does DS need a safeties
What's is his GPA using the UC method? They only look at specific coursework and no test scores. Are you a CA resident?

Are there different essays for the different UCSD? If not, I agree with adding UCSD and UCSC.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2021 14:22     Subject: Does DS need a safeties
What is his race/ethnicity?
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2021 14:01     Subject: Does DS need a safeties
Agree that the list is not realistic in terms of having no actual targets. Grades are low; tennis is worthless if not be recruited. Great to aim high but temper with some realism.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2021 13:59     Subject: Re:Does DS need a safeties
He’s fine. Berkeley is his safety.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2021 13:49     Subject: Re:Does DS need a safeties
Anonymous wrote:He sounds like a very bright kid but I think you and he need a major reality check. My child has similar sat and ECs and much higher gpa and would think this list was absurdly optimistic. I’d go back the drawing board for sure.


Definitely. This list is all reaches in my opinion. 100%