Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my experience with 1 kid at a HYSP (a 1510), one other in at another Ivy (1490) and one just accepted to a top public (34 ACT) - all no hooks - 1500 and average ECs are fine. Factors that personally I think move the needle:

1) Full pay
2) Essays and EC story (doesn't need to be leadership experience but able to highlight definitive contributions, lessons / skills learned, links between activity choices and major interests all tied together in an interesting and authentic way)
3) Predictive profile (I strongly suspect there is AI being used that identify which students are likely to graduate on time, employable afterwards, and avoid protesting)

I agree that your DC needs a balance list with likely schools they actually like (and ideally ones that will provide decisions prior to winter break such as Fordham) but it's also okay to aim high.

This post is complete and total bullshit. I mean, wow.

Man, I really need to get off of this website.

DP agree! 1510 HYPS unhooked??!

And how would they even know you’re full pay? Even if they did know and it’s not need blind as they claim, HYPS have plenty of full pay applicants. Their priority is FGLI families!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’ve looked at Naviance, and at least at our school the outcomes really do vary. I can’t quite understand why a student with a 1430 might get in while someone with a 1580 doesn’t.

I’m also curious how people define “amazing” extracurriculars. Are there concrete examples of what’s considered good versus great?

Thank you! And is anyone else navigating this without relying on a counselor?

The way I look at it, you have Penn, Duke, WUSTL, Vandy, UM, UVA, UNCOOS as reaches. Getting in any single one, you call it a win this year. Celebrate it.

You have a short list of targets (BC, UT, Villanova), which may be fine. But I would recommend adding Case EA in your target list. Get the result by 12/18. Adjust your list based on that outcome. If it's an acceptance with merit, I would stick to the reach list.

UT Austin OOS is a reach for high stats kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kid is 1500 on his SATs, which after 3x is probably where it will stay. 4.0 Trying to build list and don't have counselor. Strong extracurriculars from area public but no crazy summer programs or sports that are recruitable. Interested in larger schools. Undecided for major. How did my chat gpt counselor do? Did any kids you know with these profiles get in? He liked his visit to Michigan and UVA. We love Wash U. Is Vandy & Duke or Penn even in play or a waste of application time.

🔴 REACH (1500 = still reach, but legit)

RD
University of Pennsylvania
~8–12%

Duke University
~10–15%


🟠 REACH / HIGH TARGET
Washington University in St. Louis
~30–35% (ED)
or
Vanderbilt University
~25–30% (ED)
---

University of Michigan
~40–50% (EA)

🟢 TARGET

EA
University of Virginia
~35–45%

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
~30–40% (OOS)

RD
Boston College
~45–55%

🟢 LIKELY / TARGET (1500 = strong)

University of Texas at Austin (EA)
~45–55% (OOS)

Villanova University (RD)
~60–70%

🟢 LIKELY (1500 = very strong)

University of Florida (EA)
~70–80%

University of Maryland (EA)
*~80%+

These %s look very inflated just like grades!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’ve looked at Naviance, and at least at our school the outcomes really do vary. I can’t quite understand why a student with a 1430 might get in while someone with a 1580 doesn’t.

I’m also curious how people define “amazing” extracurriculars. Are there concrete examples of what’s considered good versus great?

Thank you! And is anyone else navigating this without relying on a counselor?

The way I look at it, you have Penn, Duke, WUSTL, Vandy, UM, UVA, UNCOOS as reaches. Getting in any single one, you call it a win this year. Celebrate it.

You have a short list of targets (BC, UT, Villanova), which may be fine. But I would recommend adding Case EA in your target list. Get the result by 12/18. Adjust your list based on that outcome. If it's an acceptance with merit, I would stick to the reach list.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my experience with 1 kid at a HYSP (a 1510), one other in at another Ivy (1490) and one just accepted to a top public (34 ACT) - all no hooks - 1500 and average ECs are fine. Factors that personally I think move the needle:

1) Full pay
2) Essays and EC story (doesn't need to be leadership experience but able to highlight definitive contributions, lessons / skills learned, links between activity choices and major interests all tied together in an interesting and authentic way)
3) Predictive profile (I strongly suspect there is AI being used that identify which students are likely to graduate on time, employable afterwards, and avoid protesting)

I agree that your DC needs a balance list with likely schools they actually like (and ideally ones that will provide decisions prior to winter break such as Fordham) but it's also okay to aim high.

This post is complete and total bullshit. I mean, wow.

Man, I really need to get off of this website.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Without amazing ECs, Penn and Duke are hopeless. The SAT isn't the issue.

I disagree. 1500 SAT is in range for Penn and Duke. ECs aren't the only determinant for college. Intended major, rigor of coursework, GPA, class rank, legacy status, etc. all come into play.

Anonymous wrote:In my experience with 1 kid at a HYSP (a 1510), one other in at another Ivy (1490) and one just accepted to a top public (34 ACT) - all no hooks - 1500 and average ECs are fine. Factors that personally I think move the needle:

1) Full pay
2) Essays and EC story (doesn't need to be leadership experience but able to highlight definitive contributions, lessons / skills learned, links between activity choices and major interests all tied together in an interesting and authentic way)
3) Predictive profile (I strongly suspect there is AI being used that identify which students are likely to graduate on time, employable afterwards, and avoid protesting)

I agree that your DC needs a balance list with likely schools they actually like (and ideally ones that will provide decisions prior to winter break such as Fordham) but it's also okay to aim high.

Anonymous wrote:1500 and a 4.0 is impressive (although you don't say much about the courses your kid is taking and their rigor). But yes, it's a tough environment for elite colleges, so best to throw in a healthy number of safeties along with the reaches.

Anonymous wrote:Kid is 1500 on his SATs, which after 3x is probably where it will stay. 4.0 Trying to build list and don't have counselor. Strong extracurriculars from area public but no crazy summer programs or sports that are recruitable. Interested in larger schools. Undecided for major. How did my chat gpt counselor do? Did any kids you know with these profiles get in? He liked his visit to Michigan and UVA. We love Wash U. Is Vandy & Duke or Penn even in play or a waste of application time.

🔴 REACH (1500 = still reach, but legit)

RD
University of Pennsylvania
~8–12%

Duke University
~10–15%


🟠 REACH / HIGH TARGET
Washington University in St. Louis
~30–35% (ED)
or
Vanderbilt University
~25–30% (ED)
---

University of Michigan
~40–50% (EA)

🟢 TARGET

EA
University of Virginia
~35–45%

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
~30–40% (OOS)

RD
Boston College
~45–55%

🟢 LIKELY / TARGET (1500 = strong)

University of Texas at Austin (EA)
~45–55% (OOS)

Villanova University (RD)
~60–70%

🟢 LIKELY (1500 = very strong)

University of Florida (EA)
~70–80%

University of Maryland (EA)
*~80%+

Anonymous wrote:Kid is 1500 on his SATs, which after 3x is probably where it will stay. 4.0 Trying to build list and don't have counselor. Strong extracurriculars from area public but no crazy summer programs or sports that are recruitable. Interested in larger schools. Undecided for major. How did my chat gpt counselor do? Did any kids you know with these profiles get in? He liked his visit to Michigan and UVA. We love Wash U. Is Vandy & Duke or Penn even in play or a waste of application time.

🔴 REACH (1500 = still reach, but legit)

RD
University of Pennsylvania
~8–12%

Duke University
~10–15%


🟠 REACH / HIGH TARGET
Washington University in St. Louis
~30–35% (ED)
or
Vanderbilt University
~25–30% (ED)
---

University of Michigan
~40–50% (EA)

🟢 TARGET

EA
University of Virginia
~35–45%

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
~30–40% (OOS)

RD
Boston College
~45–55%

🟢 LIKELY / TARGET (1500 = strong)

University of Texas at Austin (EA)
~45–55% (OOS)

Villanova University (RD)
~60–70%

🟢 LIKELY (1500 = very strong)

University of Florida (EA)
~70–80%

University of Maryland (EA)
*~80%+