Anonymous
03/04/2023 10:56
Subject: Re:Where do "B" average Big-3 students go to college?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Well, my 3.2 gpa "big 3" DD just outright rejected from CU Boulder. I am flabbergasted. This is the most messed up college admissions cycle we have experienced yet. What a mess.
I'm so sorry. This must be stressful. Did DD submit SAT or ACT scores? I do wonder if at these large schools it's harder for Big-3 students to complete bc of the lack of grade inflation, and so students need to submit standardized test scores. Did DD apply to any schools early?
She did submit. It was not a high ACT, but was above the 50th% range, so counselor said definitely submit. It's all about GPA now that TO is the norm. With so much grade inflation everywhere else, anything lower than a 3.7, no matter the school, is automatically out at large universities. I wish my kids had never attended the school they did. Not just because of college acceptances, but because they never felt anything other than like they were the stupid kids and end their senior year feeling ilke failures because the majority of their classmates are attending top 30 colleges and universities. I wish they had just had normal childhoods, surrounded by normal people who don't judge based on college matriculation.
yikes - $160k on hs to come out feeling like the stupid kid - empathize with you and totally agree that it was a mistake - hard pass on the private route for me.
I was weak and let my husband and his family force this. I fought for years to get them out, but couldn't win. The only option was to divorce and that seemed extreme. Honestly, I wish I had and had hired a lawyer to win the fight. You are making the right choice. It was an absolutely horrible experience and I live with regret everyday that we don't get a do-over for my poor kids.
Try not to look at private school as having failed your child: your child will probably be more prepared for his/her first year of college than others. My DS is rocking his first year of college, because he is prepared.
I have already had two move on and it did and it didn't. One has a very high IQ, but severe ADHD and that private did a huge number on his self-esteem. So he continues to do just okay, like he did in his private, but continues to feel like a failure. The other is doing great at a decent "top 100" university. She was much better at putting her experience in DC behind her. I belive this third will hopefully do the same, but boy, my own regret just weighs on me all the time.
Anonymous
03/04/2023 10:40
Subject: Re:Where do "B" average Big-3 students go to college?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Well, my 3.2 gpa "big 3" DD just outright rejected from CU Boulder. I am flabbergasted. This is the most messed up college admissions cycle we have experienced yet. What a mess.
I'm so sorry. This must be stressful. Did DD submit SAT or ACT scores? I do wonder if at these large schools it's harder for Big-3 students to complete bc of the lack of grade inflation, and so students need to submit standardized test scores. Did DD apply to any schools early?
She did submit. It was not a high ACT, but was above the 50th% range, so counselor said definitely submit. It's all about GPA now that TO is the norm. With so much grade inflation everywhere else, anything lower than a 3.7, no matter the school, is automatically out at large universities. I wish my kids had never attended the school they did. Not just because of college acceptances, but because they never felt anything other than like they were the stupid kids and end their senior year feeling ilke failures because the majority of their classmates are attending top 30 colleges and universities. I wish they had just had normal childhoods, surrounded by normal people who don't judge based on college matriculation.
yikes - $160k on hs to come out feeling like the stupid kid - empathize with you and totally agree that it was a mistake - hard pass on the private route for me.
I was weak and let my husband and his family force this. I fought for years to get them out, but couldn't win. The only option was to divorce and that seemed extreme. Honestly, I wish I had and had hired a lawyer to win the fight. You are making the right choice. It was an absolutely horrible experience and I live with regret everyday that we don't get a do-over for my poor kids.
Try not to look at private school as having failed your child: your child will probably be more prepared for his/her first year of college than others. My DS is rocking his first year of college, because he is prepared.
Anonymous
03/04/2023 10:05
Subject: Re:Where do "B" average Big-3 students go to college?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:and no, there is no URM or other hook ^
This is why the system is broken. Does the school regularly send kids to top schools or no?
no, and good question - I think this helped her as there was no comparative basis for the college. I think schools that don’t send many kids to T15s benefit in this regard - although that sounds like wacky logic I know
Anonymous
03/04/2023 09:56
Subject: Re:Where do "B" average Big-3 students go to college?
I have only read a few posts in this lengthy thread.
These students go to BU (Boston University) orapply ED to an LAC ranked in the 20s, 30s, or 40s.
Otherwise, they might attend a PG year at an elite prep school like Lawrenceville before matriculating at BU.
These students go to BU (Boston University) orapply ED to an LAC ranked in the 20s, 30s, or 40s.
Otherwise, they might attend a PG year at an elite prep school like Lawrenceville before matriculating at BU.
Anonymous
03/04/2023 09:45
Subject: Re:Where do "B" average Big-3 students go to college?
Anonymous wrote:and no, there is no URM or other hook ^
This is why the system is broken. Does the school regularly send kids to top schools or no?
Anonymous
03/04/2023 09:27
Subject: Re:Where do "B" average Big-3 students go to college?
and no, there is no URM or other hook ^
Anonymous
03/04/2023 09:26
Subject: Re:Where do "B" average Big-3 students go to college?
it’s funny we stressed big time over public vs private decision w our DC, ultimately chose the public path. She’s a good (not great) student and probably would’ve been around the middle of a private school class. She breezed through the virtual years at her public (where As were the norm for most) and is just at cusp of top 5% of class with a 3.9 UW. Bombed the standardized tests (imo because of poor insx at public) and applied TO ED to her T15 reach, and was admitted back in December. Definitely think she wouldn’t have gotten in had she gone the private path. Now I am fretting that she’s not prepared for what’s coming academically 
Anonymous
03/04/2023 09:16
Subject: Re:Where do "B" average Big-3 students go to college?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Well, my 3.2 gpa "big 3" DD just outright rejected from CU Boulder. I am flabbergasted. This is the most messed up college admissions cycle we have experienced yet. What a mess.
I'm so sorry. This must be stressful. Did DD submit SAT or ACT scores? I do wonder if at these large schools it's harder for Big-3 students to complete bc of the lack of grade inflation, and so students need to submit standardized test scores. Did DD apply to any schools early?
She did submit. It was not a high ACT, but was above the 50th% range, so counselor said definitely submit. It's all about GPA now that TO is the norm. With so much grade inflation everywhere else, anything lower than a 3.7, no matter the school, is automatically out at large universities. I wish my kids had never attended the school they did. Not just because of college acceptances, but because they never felt anything other than like they were the stupid kids and end their senior year feeling ilke failures because the majority of their classmates are attending top 30 colleges and universities. I wish they had just had normal childhoods, surrounded by normal people who don't judge based on college matriculation.
yikes - $160k on hs to come out feeling like the stupid kid - empathize with you and totally agree that it was a mistake - hard pass on the private route for me.
I was weak and let my husband and his family force this. I fought for years to get them out, but couldn't win. The only option was to divorce and that seemed extreme. Honestly, I wish I had and had hired a lawyer to win the fight. You are making the right choice. It was an absolutely horrible experience and I live with regret everyday that we don't get a do-over for my poor kids.
I get this OP. We all (or many of us) have spouses that insist on child-rearing decisions that we don't agree with. My husband grew up in an authoritarian household and now as a parent is super permissive. It's maddening parenting with him (and his rule free ways) but divorce would be even worse for the kids so I soldier on and just pray that the kids make it through.
Anonymous
03/04/2023 08:39
Subject: Re:Where do "B" average Big-3 students go to college?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Well, my 3.2 gpa "big 3" DD just outright rejected from CU Boulder. I am flabbergasted. This is the most messed up college admissions cycle we have experienced yet. What a mess.
I'm so sorry. This must be stressful. Did DD submit SAT or ACT scores? I do wonder if at these large schools it's harder for Big-3 students to complete bc of the lack of grade inflation, and so students need to submit standardized test scores. Did DD apply to any schools early?
She did submit. It was not a high ACT, but was above the 50th% range, so counselor said definitely submit. It's all about GPA now that TO is the norm. With so much grade inflation everywhere else, anything lower than a 3.7, no matter the school, is automatically out at large universities. I wish my kids had never attended the school they did. Not just because of college acceptances, but because they never felt anything other than like they were the stupid kids and end their senior year feeling ilke failures because the majority of their classmates are attending top 30 colleges and universities. I wish they had just had normal childhoods, surrounded by normal people who don't judge based on college matriculation.
yikes - $160k on hs to come out feeling like the stupid kid - empathize with you and totally agree that it was a mistake - hard pass on the private route for me.
I was weak and let my husband and his family force this. I fought for years to get them out, but couldn't win. The only option was to divorce and that seemed extreme. Honestly, I wish I had and had hired a lawyer to win the fight. You are making the right choice. It was an absolutely horrible experience and I live with regret everyday that we don't get a do-over for my poor kids.
The cu boulder should never have applied to that school. If you have a low GPA from a good school, you should be applying to schools
That don't have to use an algorithm to cull through 10,000 applications. SLAC all the way for that kid.
Anonymous
03/04/2023 08:14
Subject: Re:Where do "B" average Big-3 students go to college?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Well, my 3.2 gpa "big 3" DD just outright rejected from CU Boulder. I am flabbergasted. This is the most messed up college admissions cycle we have experienced yet. What a mess.
I'm so sorry. This must be stressful. Did DD submit SAT or ACT scores? I do wonder if at these large schools it's harder for Big-3 students to complete bc of the lack of grade inflation, and so students need to submit standardized test scores. Did DD apply to any schools early?
She did submit. It was not a high ACT, but was above the 50th% range, so counselor said definitely submit. It's all about GPA now that TO is the norm. With so much grade inflation everywhere else, anything lower than a 3.7, no matter the school, is automatically out at large universities. I wish my kids had never attended the school they did. Not just because of college acceptances, but because they never felt anything other than like they were the stupid kids and end their senior year feeling ilke failures because the majority of their classmates are attending top 30 colleges and universities. I wish they had just had normal childhoods, surrounded by normal people who don't judge based on college matriculation.
yikes - $160k on hs to come out feeling like the stupid kid - empathize with you and totally agree that it was a mistake - hard pass on the private route for me.
I was weak and let my husband and his family force this. I fought for years to get them out, but couldn't win. The only option was to divorce and that seemed extreme. Honestly, I wish I had and had hired a lawyer to win the fight. You are making the right choice. It was an absolutely horrible experience and I live with regret everyday that we don't get a do-over for my poor kids.
Anonymous
03/04/2023 08:08
Subject: Re:Where do "B" average Big-3 students go to college?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Well, my 3.2 gpa "big 3" DD just outright rejected from CU Boulder. I am flabbergasted. This is the most messed up college admissions cycle we have experienced yet. What a mess.
I'm so sorry. This must be stressful. Did DD submit SAT or ACT scores? I do wonder if at these large schools it's harder for Big-3 students to complete bc of the lack of grade inflation, and so students need to submit standardized test scores. Did DD apply to any schools early?
She did submit. It was not a high ACT, but was above the 50th% range, so counselor said definitely submit. It's all about GPA now that TO is the norm. With so much grade inflation everywhere else, anything lower than a 3.7, no matter the school, is automatically out at large universities. I wish my kids had never attended the school they did. Not just because of college acceptances, but because they never felt anything other than like they were the stupid kids and end their senior year feeling ilke failures because the majority of their classmates are attending top 30 colleges and universities. I wish they had just had normal childhoods, surrounded by normal people who don't judge based on college matriculation.
yikes - $160k on hs to come out feeling like the stupid kid - empathize with you and totally agree that it was a mistake - hard pass on the private route for me.
Anonymous
03/04/2023 07:57
Subject: Re:Where do "B" average Big-3 students go to college?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Well, my 3.2 gpa "big 3" DD just outright rejected from CU Boulder. I am flabbergasted. This is the most messed up college admissions cycle we have experienced yet. What a mess.
I'm so sorry. This must be stressful. Did DD submit SAT or ACT scores? I do wonder if at these large schools it's harder for Big-3 students to complete bc of the lack of grade inflation, and so students need to submit standardized test scores. Did DD apply to any schools early?
She did submit. It was not a high ACT, but was above the 50th% range, so counselor said definitely submit. It's all about GPA now that TO is the norm. With so much grade inflation everywhere else, anything lower than a 3.7, no matter the school, is automatically out at large universities. I wish my kids had never attended the school they did. Not just because of college acceptances, but because they never felt anything other than like they were the stupid kids and end their senior year feeling ilke failures because the majority of their classmates are attending top 30 colleges and universities. I wish they had just had normal childhoods, surrounded by normal people who don't judge based on college matriculation.
I am sorry this is happening to your DD, but it is happening to a lot of kids -- even high stats ones. My DS (3.85 gpa) had a heck of a time last year getting into college, but is now at a state school that turned out to be a great fit. My DD (4.00 gpa) is similarly getting rejected from her target and reach schools, and will likely attend a state school somewhere.
Anonymous
03/04/2023 07:57
Subject: Where do "B" average Big-3 students go to college?
PP, I'm a mom so I understand. And I also understand your DD's perspective because decades ago I attended a Big 3 and was in that bottom third. I've done well but it took a long time to get over that feeling.
Anonymous
03/04/2023 07:38
Subject: Re:Where do "B" average Big-3 students go to college?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Well, my 3.2 gpa "big 3" DD just outright rejected from CU Boulder. I am flabbergasted. This is the most messed up college admissions cycle we have experienced yet. What a mess.
I'm so sorry. This must be stressful. Did DD submit SAT or ACT scores? I do wonder if at these large schools it's harder for Big-3 students to complete bc of the lack of grade inflation, and so students need to submit standardized test scores. Did DD apply to any schools early?
She did submit. It was not a high ACT, but was above the 50th% range, so counselor said definitely submit. It's all about GPA now that TO is the norm. With so much grade inflation everywhere else, anything lower than a 3.7, no matter the school, is automatically out at large universities. I wish my kids had never attended the school they did. Not just because of college acceptances, but because they never felt anything other than like they were the stupid kids and end their senior year feeling ilke failures because the majority of their classmates are attending top 30 colleges and universities. I wish they had just had normal childhoods, surrounded by normal people who don't judge based on college matriculation.
Anonymous
03/04/2023 07:34
Subject: Re:Where do "B" average Big-3 students go to college?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Well, my 3.2 gpa "big 3" DD just outright rejected from CU Boulder. I am flabbergasted. This is the most messed up college admissions cycle we have experienced yet. What a mess.
what choices does your kid have?
Only one large state university with a high acceptance rate so far. It's a very solid option and I know she'll be okay there. If that acceptance hadn't come in two weeks ago, that rejection from Boulder would have put us in a tailspin. Still waiting on a number of LACs in the RD round, which, I know from experience, understand our privates better than the big universities, so I'm hoping she'll at least feel like she has a couple of options to choose from and not only one.