Anonymous
06/06/2026 23:39
Subject: 1600 SAT, 10 APs, 5 DEs, 5 college math/CS courses. Kid wants UVA ED, but I think they can aim higher?
OP, are you Asian? What are kid’s ECs?
Anonymous
06/06/2026 23:25
Subject: 1600 SAT, 10 APs, 5 DEs, 5 college math/CS courses. Kid wants UVA ED, but I think they can aim higher?
Anonymous wrote:Parent of a Virginia junior looking for honest feedback on ED/EA strategy for a CS/math/AI/engineering kid.
Student has a 1600 SAT, roughly 6 honors courses, 10 APs, 5 dual-enrollment courses, and additional real college-level math/CS through community college. This is beyond the normal AP/DE path: Calculus I/II, Multivariable/Calc III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Discrete Math, and Computer Organization.
They also have a real builder/technical profile: coding projects, AI work, GitHub/portfolio, programming tutoring, project/nonprofit leadership, and external validation from a selective tech/startup-style program.
Student likes UVA a lot and wants to apply Early Decision. We are in-state, and UVA has obvious advantages: cost, prestige, balance, social life, and possible credit transfer.
My concern is that UVA ED may limit them too early. I think they may have a real shot at stronger CS/engineering fits like Georgia Tech, MIT, CMU, Purdue, UIUC, Michigan, Cornell Engineering, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, etc. Georgia Tech especially seems like a strong fit: elite CS/engineering, good value compared with private elites, big-school energy, and likely more balanced/fun than some of the most intense tech schools.
I am not knocking UVA. It may end up being the best overall choice. But would you let a student like this do UVA ED, or push for UVA EA so they can keep Georgia Tech and higher-ranked CS/engineering options open?
Trying to balance "UVA is excellent" with "do not lock in too early if the student may have a real shot above UVA for CS/engineering."
We were in the same boat. He applied Early Decision from a magnet school and had taken courses including Multivariable Calculus, Differential Equations, and AP Physics C. He was deferred in the Early Decision and later placed on the waitlist. He will graduate with a 4.6 weighted GPA.
My advice is that if UVA is truly your child's first-choice school, apply ED. Otherwise, cast a wide net and apply to a range of schools.
Anonymous
06/06/2026 23:14
Subject: 1600 SAT, 10 APs, 5 DEs, 5 college math/CS courses. Kid wants UVA ED, but I think they can aim higher?
Anonymous wrote:Parent of a Virginia junior looking for honest feedback on ED/EA strategy for a CS/math/AI/engineering kid.
Student has a 1600 SAT, roughly 6 honors courses, 10 APs, 5 dual-enrollment courses, and additional real college-level math/CS through community college. This is beyond the normal AP/DE path: Calculus I/II, Multivariable/Calc III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Discrete Math, and Computer Organization.
They also have a real builder/technical profile: coding projects, AI work, GitHub/portfolio, programming tutoring, project/nonprofit leadership, and external validation from a selective tech/startup-style program.
Student likes UVA a lot and wants to apply Early Decision. We are in-state, and UVA has obvious advantages: cost, prestige, balance, social life, and possible credit transfer.
My concern is that UVA ED may limit them too early. I think they may have a real shot at stronger CS/engineering fits like Georgia Tech, MIT, CMU, Purdue, UIUC, Michigan, Cornell Engineering, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, etc. Georgia Tech especially seems like a strong fit: elite CS/engineering, good value compared with private elites, big-school energy, and likely more balanced/fun than some of the most intense tech schools.
I am not knocking UVA. It may end up being the best overall choice. But would you let a student like this do UVA ED, or push for UVA EA so they can keep Georgia Tech and higher-ranked CS/engineering options open?
Trying to balance "UVA is excellent" with "do not lock in too early if the student may have a real shot above UVA for CS/engineering."
Princeton and MIT are out with a 3.8. Stanford may cut you a break if B’s were freshman year.
Anonymous
06/06/2026 22:24
Subject: Re:1600 SAT, 10 APs, 5 DEs, 5 college math/CS courses. Kid wants UVA ED, but I think they can aim higher?
This profile sounds familiar.
The “college level” cs/math classes are DE classes from a community college? I don’t think they mean much at all for top colleges, as they’re of pretty low quality. I know the truly exceptional kids take classes directly at the top universities.
Are the eng/history DE classes supposed to be above AP levels?
The “college level” cs/math classes are DE classes from a community college? I don’t think they mean much at all for top colleges, as they’re of pretty low quality. I know the truly exceptional kids take classes directly at the top universities.
Are the eng/history DE classes supposed to be above AP levels?
Anonymous
06/06/2026 22:20
Subject: 1600 SAT, 10 APs, 5 DEs, 5 college math/CS courses. Kid wants UVA ED, but I think they can aim higher?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Parent of a Virginia junior looking for honest feedback on ED/EA strategy for a CS/math/AI/engineering kid.
Student has a 1600 SAT, roughly 6 honors courses, 10 APs, 5 dual-enrollment courses, and additional real college-level math/CS through community college. This is beyond the normal AP/DE path: Calculus I/II, Multivariable/Calc III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Discrete Math, and Computer Organization.
They also have a real builder/technical profile: coding projects, AI work, GitHub/portfolio, programming tutoring, project/nonprofit leadership, and external validation from a selective tech/startup-style program.
Student likes UVA a lot and wants to apply Early Decision. We are in-state, and UVA has obvious advantages: cost, prestige, balance, social life, and possible credit transfer.
My concern is that UVA ED may limit them too early. I think they may have a real shot at stronger CS/engineering fits like Georgia Tech, MIT, CMU, Purdue, UIUC, Michigan, Cornell Engineering, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, etc. Georgia Tech especially seems like a strong fit: elite CS/engineering, good value compared with private elites, big-school energy, and likely more balanced/fun than some of the most intense tech schools.
I am not knocking UVA. It may end up being the best overall choice. But would you let a student like this do UVA ED, or push for UVA EA so they can keep Georgia Tech and higher-ranked CS/engineering options open?
Trying to balance "UVA is excellent" with "do not lock in too early if the student may have a real shot above UVA for CS/engineering."
lol...slipping Michigan in there
Forgot to add GPA: about 3.8 unweighted**, estimated 4.35-4.5 weighted, with the separate community college math/CS courses around an A average so far. Junior year is where there is a noticeable jump in both grades and rigor, including the advanced college coursework.
yes my point is that through my research here are the school "better" than UVA i am concerend they are going to miss out, with this profile here is the esimates based (these are not exact but i spent months creating context with an MCP /agent)
UVA: 45-60%
A couple of years ago my 3.98/4.5, 1560 from a large NOVA public was WL by UVA engineering.
Anonymous
06/06/2026 22:15
Subject: 1600 SAT, 10 APs, 5 DEs, 5 college math/CS courses. Kid wants UVA ED, but I think they can aim higher?
Here’s the other way to look at it. ED will boost his chances of admission at UVA. Your kid loves UVA. If you convince your kid to apply to UVA EA instead and he doesn’t get in (because EA is not as big of an admissions boost as ED), he may resent that (and you) and be upset. He seems to have a strong but not perfect application, so there is some risk. Why not let him apply ED to the school that he loves, rather than risk it to keep options open for schools you may prefer?
Anonymous
06/06/2026 22:11
Subject: 1600 SAT, 10 APs, 5 DEs, 5 college math/CS courses. Kid wants UVA ED, but I think they can aim higher?
In general I agree with going the EA route at UVA and exploring other options.
But how are you going to feel if you dissuade him from applying early decision to UVA and he doesn’t get in?
But how are you going to feel if you dissuade him from applying early decision to UVA and he doesn’t get in?
Anonymous
06/06/2026 22:10
Subject: 1600 SAT, 10 APs, 5 DEs, 5 college math/CS courses. Kid wants UVA ED, but I think they can aim higher?
UT and University of Washington and University of Waterloo are all excellent for CS, the latter with a great co-op program. (He would probably prefer the B.Math degree in CS). Apply for BS AI rather than CS at CMU as CMU CS is too competitive.
Anonymous
06/06/2026 21:50
Subject: 1600 SAT, 10 APs, 5 DEs, 5 college math/CS courses. Kid wants UVA ED, but I think they can aim higher?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Parent of a Virginia junior looking for honest feedback on ED/EA strategy for a CS/math/AI/engineering kid.
Student has a 1600 SAT, roughly 6 honors courses, 10 APs, 5 dual-enrollment courses, and additional real college-level math/CS through community college. This is beyond the normal AP/DE path: Calculus I/II, Multivariable/Calc III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Discrete Math, and Computer Organization.
They also have a real builder/technical profile: coding projects, AI work, GitHub/portfolio, programming tutoring, project/nonprofit leadership, and external validation from a selective tech/startup-style program.
Student likes UVA a lot and wants to apply Early Decision. We are in-state, and UVA has obvious advantages: cost, prestige, balance, social life, and possible credit transfer.
My concern is that UVA ED may limit them too early. I think they may have a real shot at stronger CS/engineering fits like Georgia Tech, MIT, CMU, Purdue, UIUC, Michigan, Cornell Engineering, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, etc. Georgia Tech especially seems like a strong fit: elite CS/engineering, good value compared with private elites, big-school energy, and likely more balanced/fun than some of the most intense tech schools.
I am not knocking UVA. It may end up being the best overall choice. But would you let a student like this do UVA ED, or push for UVA EA so they can keep Georgia Tech and higher-ranked CS/engineering options open?
Trying to balance "UVA is excellent" with "do not lock in too early if the student may have a real shot above UVA for CS/engineering."
lol...slipping Michigan in there
Forgot to add GPA: about 3.8 unweighted**, estimated 4.35-4.5 weighted, with the separate community college math/CS courses around an A average so far. Junior year is where there is a noticeable jump in both grades and rigor, including the advanced college coursework.
This is alarming. Maybe a more realistic college list?
3.8 UW is alarming? No. You people are ridiculous.
For UVA CS especially if he's at a large NOVA public, its not great.
Anonymous
06/06/2026 21:48
Subject: 1600 SAT, 10 APs, 5 DEs, 5 college math/CS courses. Kid wants UVA ED, but I think they can aim higher?
Maybe UVA is feasible because he’s in-state, but if he was OOS with that unweighted GPA, the odds would be questionable, at best.
Anonymous
06/06/2026 21:39
Subject: 1600 SAT, 10 APs, 5 DEs, 5 college math/CS courses. Kid wants UVA ED, but I think they can aim higher?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Parent of a Virginia junior looking for honest feedback on ED/EA strategy for a CS/math/AI/engineering kid.
Student has a 1600 SAT, roughly 6 honors courses, 10 APs, 5 dual-enrollment courses, and additional real college-level math/CS through community college. This is beyond the normal AP/DE path: Calculus I/II, Multivariable/Calc III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Discrete Math, and Computer Organization.
They also have a real builder/technical profile: coding projects, AI work, GitHub/portfolio, programming tutoring, project/nonprofit leadership, and external validation from a selective tech/startup-style program.
Student likes UVA a lot and wants to apply Early Decision. We are in-state, and UVA has obvious advantages: cost, prestige, balance, social life, and possible credit transfer.
My concern is that UVA ED may limit them too early. I think they may have a real shot at stronger CS/engineering fits like Georgia Tech, MIT, CMU, Purdue, UIUC, Michigan, Cornell Engineering, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, etc. Georgia Tech especially seems like a strong fit: elite CS/engineering, good value compared with private elites, big-school energy, and likely more balanced/fun than some of the most intense tech schools.
I am not knocking UVA. It may end up being the best overall choice. But would you let a student like this do UVA ED, or push for UVA EA so they can keep Georgia Tech and higher-ranked CS/engineering options open?
Trying to balance "UVA is excellent" with "do not lock in too early if the student may have a real shot above UVA for CS/engineering."
lol...slipping Michigan in there
Forgot to add GPA: about 3.8 unweighted**, estimated 4.35-4.5 weighted, with the separate community college math/CS courses around an A average so far. Junior year is where there is a noticeable jump in both grades and rigor, including the advanced college coursework.
This is alarming. Maybe a more realistic college list?
3.8 UW is alarming? No. You people are ridiculous.
Anonymous
06/06/2026 21:07
Subject: 1600 SAT, 10 APs, 5 DEs, 5 college math/CS courses. Kid wants UVA ED, but I think they can aim higher?
Anonymous wrote:Parent of a Virginia junior looking for honest feedback on ED/EA strategy for a CS/math/AI/engineering kid.
Student has a 1600 SAT, roughly 6 honors courses, 10 APs, 5 dual-enrollment courses, and additional real college-level math/CS through community college. This is beyond the normal AP/DE path: Calculus I/II, Multivariable/Calc III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Discrete Math, and Computer Organization.
They also have a real builder/technical profile: coding projects, AI work, GitHub/portfolio, programming tutoring, project/nonprofit leadership, and external validation from a selective tech/startup-style program.
Student likes UVA a lot and wants to apply Early Decision. We are in-state, and UVA has obvious advantages: cost, prestige, balance, social life, and possible credit transfer.
My concern is that UVA ED may limit them too early. I think they may have a real shot at stronger CS/engineering fits like Georgia Tech, MIT, CMU, Purdue, UIUC, Michigan, Cornell Engineering, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, etc. Georgia Tech especially seems like a strong fit: elite CS/engineering, good value compared with private elites, big-school energy, and likely more balanced/fun than some of the most intense tech schools.
I am not knocking UVA. It may end up being the best overall choice. But would you let a student like this do UVA ED, or push for UVA EA so they can keep Georgia Tech and higher-ranked CS/engineering options open?
Trying to balance "UVA is excellent" with "do not lock in too early if the student may have a real shot above UVA for CS/engineering."
This is how AO's are going to view this application, especially with a 3.8 GPA.
They also have a real builder/technical profile: coding projects, AI work - Heavy parental help check
GitHub/portfolio - Heavy parental help check
programming tutoring - Parent organized check
project/nonprofit leadership - Heavy parental help check
external validation from a selective tech/startup-style program - Heavy parental connections check
Anonymous
06/06/2026 21:03
Subject: 1600 SAT, 10 APs, 5 DEs, 5 college math/CS courses. Kid wants UVA ED, but I think they can aim higher?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Parent of a Virginia junior looking for honest feedback on ED/EA strategy for a CS/math/AI/engineering kid.
Student has a 1600 SAT, roughly 6 honors courses, 10 APs, 5 dual-enrollment courses, and additional real college-level math/CS through community college. This is beyond the normal AP/DE path: Calculus I/II, Multivariable/Calc III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Discrete Math, and Computer Organization.
They also have a real builder/technical profile: coding projects, AI work, GitHub/portfolio, programming tutoring, project/nonprofit leadership, and external validation from a selective tech/startup-style program.
Student likes UVA a lot and wants to apply Early Decision. We are in-state, and UVA has obvious advantages: cost, prestige, balance, social life, and possible credit transfer.
My concern is that UVA ED may limit them too early. I think they may have a real shot at stronger CS/engineering fits like Georgia Tech, MIT, CMU, Purdue, UIUC, Michigan, Cornell Engineering, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, etc. Georgia Tech especially seems like a strong fit: elite CS/engineering, good value compared with private elites, big-school energy, and likely more balanced/fun than some of the most intense tech schools.
I am not knocking UVA. It may end up being the best overall choice. But would you let a student like this do UVA ED, or push for UVA EA so they can keep Georgia Tech and higher-ranked CS/engineering options open?
Trying to balance "UVA is excellent" with "do not lock in too early if the student may have a real shot above UVA for CS/engineering."
lol...slipping Michigan in there
Forgot to add GPA: about 3.8 unweighted**, estimated 4.35-4.5 weighted, with the separate community college math/CS courses around an A average so far. Junior year is where there is a noticeable jump in both grades and rigor, including the advanced college coursework.
This is alarming. Maybe a more realistic college list?
+1. I was buying OP’s thinking until I saw that.
Anonymous
06/06/2026 21:01
Subject: Re:1600 SAT, 10 APs, 5 DEs, 5 college math/CS courses. Kid wants UVA ED, but I think they can aim higher?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The question is: what else does he have other than academics?
They are not just math and computers. The strongest spike is definitely CS/AI/building, but there is more to the profile than that. They have independent coding and AI projects, a technical portfolio, original software/security-type work, an advanced data/AI modeling project, and external validation from a selective tech/startup-style program.
They also have programming tutoring for younger students, project/nonprofit leadership with a youth/public-health awareness focus, competitive math/physics/programming involvement, and strong writing/humanities support through DE English and DE history. We also expect strong recommendations from English and history teachers, not just STEM teachers.
So I would describe the profile as a technical builder with broader impact, teaching, leadership, writing strength, and humanities support, not just a narrow math/computer kid.
This sounds like a lot of gobbledygook. For example, the underlined…? He took de english and history - this does NOT show strong humanities or writing. No one would know what the class entailed and how he did.
The bolded…impossible to tell the impact, depth, actual work, etc. It sounds puffed up and embellished in a way that makes much of it meaningless.
Anonymous
06/06/2026 20:53
Subject: 1600 SAT, 10 APs, 5 DEs, 5 college math/CS courses. Kid wants UVA ED, but I think they can aim higher?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Parent of a Virginia junior looking for honest feedback on ED/EA strategy for a CS/math/AI/engineering kid.
Student has a 1600 SAT, roughly 6 honors courses, 10 APs, 5 dual-enrollment courses, and additional real college-level math/CS through community college. This is beyond the normal AP/DE path: Calculus I/II, Multivariable/Calc III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Discrete Math, and Computer Organization.
They also have a real builder/technical profile: coding projects, AI work, GitHub/portfolio, programming tutoring, project/nonprofit leadership, and external validation from a selective tech/startup-style program.
Student likes UVA a lot and wants to apply Early Decision. We are in-state, and UVA has obvious advantages: cost, prestige, balance, social life, and possible credit transfer.
My concern is that UVA ED may limit them too early. I think they may have a real shot at stronger CS/engineering fits like Georgia Tech, MIT, CMU, Purdue, UIUC, Michigan, Cornell Engineering, Princeton, Stanford, Berkeley, etc. Georgia Tech especially seems like a strong fit: elite CS/engineering, good value compared with private elites, big-school energy, and likely more balanced/fun than some of the most intense tech schools.
I am not knocking UVA. It may end up being the best overall choice. But would you let a student like this do UVA ED, or push for UVA EA so they can keep Georgia Tech and higher-ranked CS/engineering options open?
Trying to balance "UVA is excellent" with "do not lock in too early if the student may have a real shot above UVA for CS/engineering."
lol...slipping Michigan in there
Forgot to add GPA: about 3.8 unweighted**, estimated 4.35-4.5 weighted, with the separate community college math/CS coursecs around an A average so far. Junior year is where there is a noticeable jump in both grades and rigor, including the advanced college coursework.
yes my point is that through my research here are the school "better" than UVA i am concerend they are going to miss out, with this profile here is the esimates based (these are not exact but i spent months creating context with an MCP /agent)
MIT: 4-8%
CMU SCS: 5-10%
Stanford: 3-8%
Berkeley EECS/CS: 8-15%
Georgia Tech: 15-25%
Princeton: 5-10%
Cornell Engineering: 10-18%
UIUC CS: 10-20% direct CS, higher for CS+X/math/engineering
Michigan: 20-35%
Purdue: 35-55%
Penn Engineering: 6-12%
Columbia Engineering: 6-12%
Duke: 10-20%
Rice: 10-20%
UVA: 45-60%
If the de classes are not incorprated into the HS transcript, his HS gpa is his HS gpa and his college transcript will be separate. He stays at a 3.8. How does that put him in the rising senior class (3.8)?