DCUM Forum

Anonymous

12/21/2020 14:58 Subject: Re:Today's Acceptances - which schools

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The perception of Stanford out here is that it's a funky, liberal school with great academics. I think people conflate the image of Berkeley and Stanford. The latter is much more mainstream and intense. And with the student mix described above, it's not as utopian as people think.

Agree with this analysis. My SIL went to Stanford undergrad and my sister went to Stanford for grad. I would never conflict environment with Cal though. Hope people don’t do that. Stanford is more like Duke on mega steroids.

I was a grad student at Stanford and it was fine and a beautiful campus and all that, though I kind of hate Palo Alto. I so clearly remember the first time I ventured over to check out Berkeley and was driving down University Ave toward campus and thinking THIS is the kind of college town I wish I were living in! Not comparing the schools themselves, I was never a student at Cal, but a much more vibrant environment. Depends on the person though, plenty of people love the manicured feel of Stanford/PA.

Wow - such a interesting description of Stanford! Thanks. Duke on steroids? Ugh. Add in the tech-bro kind of culture I imagine permeates - like, if you're not a gazillionaire by junior year you're a failure. My kid wasnt interested in applying, but I know she wouldn't have gotten in anyway... It's weirdly nice to hear a place like this - nirvana from my viewpoint on the east coast - kind of taken down a peg.

SIL got her PhD at Stanford. By the time they left they were desperate to get away from Palo Alto.

Anonymous

12/21/2020 13:58 Subject: Re:Today's Acceptances - which schools

Anonymous wrote:The mental gymnastics required to understand "test optional" are exhausting. However, I don't necessarily blame the schools. The test is not required, but if two students are relatively equal, a good test score might help. There can also be aspects of two seemingly similar students' records that push one over the other, regardless of test scores, that we can't ascertain from the posts on this board.

My DD and her good friend are both applying to college this year. Their GPAs are similar, but my DD took the test and my her friend didn't. It was a pain and source of stress having the SAT scheduled and rescheduled so many times, and to some extent, the fact that DD took the test shows resilience. My DD's friend did not take it because she isn't a great test taker and chose not to, even though we live in the same county and she had the opportunity to take it.

With both B-plus students applying to many of the same schools for the same programs, based on the admissions decisions received so far, having a test score (in my DD's case a 1450) helped with merit aid. The bump was not huge, but it helped. It is hard to say whether there are other factors at play in the decisions. My DD has more extracurriculars, including many service oriented ones. Who really knows?

+1000

I posted about this on another thread. My DD just got accepted early action into a T20 this past week and and submitted a test score. I followed many threads of that school after the decision release...all but one of the posted acceptances (out of hundreds) were applicants who submitted test scores. I'm convinced that this school, and probably many other selective colleges, just aren't comfortable accepting students without a test score...there are too many kids with great grades...not enough with great test scores. While the schools likes to brag that they are accepting a certain percentage without test scores, I think those accepted students (without test scores) are only the athletes that were already committed anyway.

This is my observation...I really believe the selective schools still want test scores. I realize that this is not the case for non-selective schools. But I would ask anyone to post about specific examples of kids that have gotten acceptances into any selective schools without a test score.

I know many people disagree with this, but I am on the side that submitting test scores give the applicant a huge advantage. And after seeing my DD's school's decisions results, I'm even more convinced. Many people at this school who were deferred were excellent students (grades, EC, etc.) but they didn't submit test scores. They're wondering what to do do increase their chances for the RD round...I'd say, submit a test score!

The test optional schools will need to admit a significant number of applicants without test scores and give them same merit as given to similarly situated applicants with test scores or they will open themselves up to liability for make false and misleading statements to applicants.

Anonymous

12/21/2020 13:11 Subject: Re:Today's Acceptances - which schools

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you not submitting scores because you don't have any or because they are low. I've heard that if your kid goes to a private school where they took the SATs, not submitting those scores communicates to the school that they are low. Maybe public school kids who haven't been able to take the SATs are okay.

My daughter’s friend [\b]has a mom [/b]with a life-threatening risk from COVID. She chose not to risk it by taking the SAT even though the school offered it. I hope and isn’t penalized for prioritizing her mother’s health.

The friend is lying or you are a troll. You can ask to be placed in a different room if the test is at your own private. Besides, all kids were masked during the test and with good social distancing. I do not believe the story.

Anonymous

12/21/2020 12:11 Subject: Re:Today's Acceptances - which schools

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also deferred from Tulane. DC is fine with it, only applied because counselor suggested it and definitely didn't show more than a cursory interest. I'm more disappointed than DC because I think it's a great school. In at Fordham and a handful of UK schools.

What were DC’s stats?

34 ACT, 3.8 UW GPA, 4.4 W GPA, varsity sports since sophomore year, leadership roles in school and community service organizations.

Wow, DC was denied with those stats? I am shocked. She will get in someplace else great!

which UK schools PP?

Unconditional offers from Royal Holloway, St. Andrews, and Exeter. Conditional offer from Durham. Still waiting on Edinburgh. It's a much less stressful system, I must say.

I'd love to hear anything you have to share about the UK University process, PP. We're a couple years away from applications but DS has already voiced a lot of interest in applying to UK schools. Thanks![/quote]

It's surprisingly GPA (and later test and interview) driven. They expect to see at least a 3.5 to 4.0 (tops) U.S. transcript. For graduate work, it's a 3.7 on a scale iof 4.0. So that's your starting point. The FCPS student that I knew who got in had 15 APs and perfect GPA and scores. They care less about SJW and "I've overcome this" essay stuff.

So your question was weirdly answered by another poster, not the poster (me) who was talking about UK schools with you. There are few existing threads on here (DCUM) that have a lot of info (and misconceptions) about UK universities.

Your best bet is to look at individual universities in the Uk, see what their entrance requirements for International Students are and see what courses they have to offer.

You apply through UCAS and can apply to a maximum of 5 universities. Who you put in the #1 slot matters and some care about that while others do not. You can only apply to one of Oxford and Cambridge, not both at the same time.

You may also want to look at Russell Group universities - the highest ranking / most rigorous universities. It is not a short list so there are plenty to consider.

Good luck.

Anonymous

12/21/2020 11:32 Subject: Re:Today's Acceptances - which schools

The mental gymnastics required to understand "test optional" are exhausting. However, I don't necessarily blame the schools. The test is not required, but if two students are relatively equal, a good test score might help. There can also be aspects of two seemingly similar students' records that push one over the other, regardless of test scores, that we can't ascertain from the posts on this board.

My DD and her good friend are both applying to college this year. Their GPAs are similar, but my DD took the test and my her friend didn't. It was a pain and source of stress having the SAT scheduled and rescheduled so many times, and to some extent, the fact that DD took the test shows resilience. My DD's friend did not take it because she isn't a great test taker and chose not to, even though we live in the same county and she had the opportunity to take it.

With both B-plus students applying to many of the same schools for the same programs, based on the admissions decisions received so far, having a test score (in my DD's case a 1450) helped with merit aid. The bump was not huge, but it helped. It is hard to say whether there are other factors at play in the decisions. My DD has more extracurriculars, including many service oriented ones. Who really knows?

Anonymous

12/21/2020 09:03 Subject: Re:Today's Acceptances - which schools

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you not submitting scores because you don't have any or because they are low. I've heard that if your kid goes to a private school where they took the SATs, not submitting those scores communicates to the school that they are low. Maybe public school kids who haven't been able to take the SATs are okay.

15:55 PP, Do not have any scores. SAT cancelled twice, decided not to reschedule due to schools saying they were test optional. But schools shouldn't say test optional and lack of scores will have no negative impact and then defer and ask for scores anyway or draw a negative inference that a student must have low scores by not submitting.

Our daughter didn't want to take the SAT after finding out it was optional at UVA. We told her it would give her a leg up if the scores were good since so many applicants will have good GPAs and test score would be the only differentiation. Her first 3 sittings were canceled but she was able to take it 2 within a week just a month before the ED deadline. We figured if it was good then she can submit it and not if she didn't do well, she just had to invest the time to study for the exam. With test optional and GPA inflation so rampant, we guessed schools would have a flood of applications this year.

Anonymous

12/21/2020 08:40 Subject: Re:Today's Acceptances - which schools

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you not submitting scores because you don't have any or because they are low. I've heard that if your kid goes to a private school where they took the SATs, not submitting those scores communicates to the school that they are low. Maybe public school kids who haven't been able to take the SATs are okay.

15:55 PP, Do not have any scores. SAT cancelled twice, decided not to reschedule due to schools saying they were test optional. But schools shouldn't say test optional and lack of scores will have no negative impact and then defer and ask for scores anyway or draw a negative inference that a student must have low scores by not submitting.

I think they went test optional when it was unclear if everyone could get a test. This fall, everyone I know who wanted a test got one. Our public offered the SAT in March, a week before everything closed. It seems that schools *might* penalize a kid who does not submit a score from that school. DC does much better on the ACT and it was cancelled 4 times, but DC got to take it in September and submitted it.

If a kid cannot take it because they have a parent with a life-threatening disease, they can explain that in the Common App COVID section.

The mental gymnastics required to understand "test optional" are exhausting. However, I don't necessarily blame the schools. The test is not required, but if two students are relatively equal, a good test score might help. There can also be aspects of two seemingly similar students' records that push one over the other, regardless of test scores, that we can't ascertain from the posts on this board.

My DD and her good friend are both applying to college this year. Their GPAs are similar, but my DD took the test and my her friend didn't. It was a pain and source of stress having the SAT scheduled and rescheduled so many times, and to some extent, the fact that DD took the test shows resilience. My DD's friend did not take it because she isn't a great test taker and chose not to, even though we live in the same county and she had the opportunity to take it.

With both B-plus students applying to many of the same schools for the same programs, based on the admissions decisions received so far, having a test score (in my DD's case a 1450) helped with merit aid. The bump was not huge, but it helped. It is hard to say whether there are other factors at play in the decisions. My DD has more extracurriculars, including many service oriented ones. Who really knows?

Anonymous

12/21/2020 08:26 Subject: Re:Today's Acceptances - which schools

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you not submitting scores because you don't have any or because they are low. I've heard that if your kid goes to a private school where they took the SATs, not submitting those scores communicates to the school that they are low. Maybe public school kids who haven't been able to take the SATs are okay.

15:55 PP, Do not have any scores. SAT cancelled twice, decided not to reschedule due to schools saying they were test optional. But schools shouldn't say test optional and lack of scores will have no negative impact and then defer and ask for scores anyway or draw a negative inference that a student must have low scores by not submitting.

I think they went test optional when it was unclear if everyone could get a test. This fall, everyone I know who wanted a test got one. Our public offered the SAT in March, a week before everything closed. It seems that schools *might* penalize a kid who does not submit a score from that school. DC does much better on the ACT and it was cancelled 4 times, but DC got to take it in September and submitted it.

If a kid cannot take it because they have a parent with a life-threatening disease, they can explain that in the Common App COVID section.

Anonymous

12/21/2020 00:44 Subject: Re:Today's Acceptances - which schools

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also deferred from Tulane. DC is fine with it, only applied because counselor suggested it and definitely didn't show more than a cursory interest. I'm more disappointed than DC because I think it's a great school. In at Fordham and a handful of UK schools.

What were DC’s stats?

34 ACT, 3.8 UW GPA, 4.4 W GPA, varsity sports since sophomore year, leadership roles in school and community service organizations.

Wow, DC was denied with those stats? I am shocked. She will get in someplace else great!

which UK schools PP?

Unconditional offers from Royal Holloway, St. Andrews, and Exeter. Conditional offer from Durham. Still waiting on Edinburgh. It's a much less stressful system, I must say.

I'd love to hear anything you have to share about the UK University process, PP. We're a couple years away from applications but DS has already voiced a lot of interest in applying to UK schools. Thanks![/quote]

It's surprisingly GPA (and later test and interview) driven. They expect to see at least a 3.5 to 4.0 (tops) U.S. transcript. For graduate work, it's a 3.7 on a scale iof 4.0. So that's your starting point. The FCPS student that I knew who got in had 15 APs and perfect GPA and scores. They care less about SJW and "I've overcome this" essay stuff.

Anonymous

12/19/2020 17:39 Subject: Re:Today's Acceptances - which schools

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In EA at Elon. Presidential Scholarship. 4.7 weighted at a MoCo high school.

Congratulations! Elon will be a top 50 school soon. Their stats keep rising. Do you think your child will accept?

What are you talking about? It’s lucky to be 88 in USN&WR.

+1 and with the bad press this fall and pretty low admission standards I see it falling not rising. But is beautiful campus.

I'm the person who said my son got in. I'm not sure if he will accept yet or not. It is a safety for him but he says it was his favorite safety. Beautiful campus, near grandparents. He thought it seemed fun and we also walked by an outdoor class and he was very impressed by the professor's passion when speaking. I grew up in the South and I think it's interesting how quickly Elon's reputation and stock have risen. I also think it's interesting that it pulls so many kids from everywhere. We considered encouraging him to apply to Furman-- we have relatives who went there and it's a really good school-- but it really pulls almost entirely from the South. Elon has impressed us and I could see him finding a job back in DC afterwards, and having other Elon friends settle in DC. Overall, we'd be happy if he chose it. I think he'd have a good experience, with a lot of personal attention from faculty.

Anonymous

12/19/2020 17:38 Subject: Re:Today's Acceptances - which schools

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you not submitting scores because you don't have any or because they are low. I've heard that if your kid goes to a private school where they took the SATs, not submitting those scores communicates to the school that they are low. Maybe public school kids who haven't been able to take the SATs are okay.

15:55 PP, Do not have any scores. SAT cancelled twice, decided not to reschedule due to schools saying they were test optional. But schools shouldn't say test optional and lack of scores will have no negative impact and then defer and ask for scores anyway or draw a negative inference that a student must have low scores by not submitting.

+1
Schools need to mean what they say - either they will not penalize you for not sending scores or they will. So sick of the ambiguity.

Anonymous

12/19/2020 17:10 Subject: Re:Today's Acceptances - which schools

Anonymous wrote:Are you not submitting scores because you don't have any or because they are low. I've heard that if your kid goes to a private school where they took the SATs, not submitting those scores communicates to the school that they are low. Maybe public school kids who haven't been able to take the SATs are okay.

15:55 PP, Do not have any scores. SAT cancelled twice, decided not to reschedule due to schools saying they were test optional. But schools shouldn't say test optional and lack of scores will have no negative impact and then defer and ask for scores anyway or draw a negative inference that a student must have low scores by not submitting.

Anonymous

12/19/2020 17:10 Subject: Re:Today's Acceptances - which schools

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In EA at Elon. Presidential Scholarship. 4.7 weighted at a MoCo high school.

Congratulations! Elon will be a top 50 school soon. Their stats keep rising. Do you think your child will accept?

What are you talking about? It’s lucky to be 88 in USN&WR.

+1 and with the bad press this fall and pretty low admission standards I see it falling not rising. But is beautiful campus.

Anonymous

12/19/2020 16:57 Subject: Re:Today's Acceptances - which schools

Anonymous wrote:Are you not submitting scores because you don't have any or because they are low. I've heard that if your kid goes to a private school where they took the SATs, not submitting those scores communicates to the school that they are low. Maybe public school kids who haven't been able to take the SATs are okay.

My daughter’s friend has a mom with a life-threatening risk from COVID. She chose not to risk it by taking the SAT even though the school offered it. I hope and isn’t penalized for prioritizing her mother’s health.

Anonymous

12/19/2020 16:54 Subject: Re:Today's Acceptances - which schools

Anonymous wrote:Are you not submitting scores because you don't have any or because they are low. I've heard that if your kid goes to a private school where they took the SATs, not submitting those scores communicates to the school that they are low. Maybe public school kids who haven't been able to take the SATs are okay.

Public school kid, did not submit any scores because they were below 50th percentile for most of schools to which she was applying. However, they are around the 75th percentile for SMCM.