Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently test optional schools have gpa requirements of 3.6+.

Does anyone have recent experience with their child actually being admitted with a 3.5 and either no test scores submitted or 960 SATs?

Never heard of GPA minimums for test optional. Sounds like a myth.

This is a total myth. I've talked to my DS's counselor and we are trying to figure out where to send scores and where not to. His GPA is around 3.5 and tests scores not so great. She told me about many many students from last year who got into decent and even some good schools with under 3.5 and NO scores. She said there is no minimum GPA because you are not sending scores.

Not a myth. Some are explicit (usually state schools); some are "suggestions" - e.g., 3.0 for Duquesne.

Some schools had a temporary SAT optional policy for the pandemic year when SAT sites were closed, people were fearful to take group tests etc. SOme of these didn't have GPA minimum because of that. Some changed their policies this year since SAT is more available and became no longer test optional or put a minimum GPA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely Skidmore has a ratio issue. Frankly, William and Mary has such a bad ratio issue might be worth trying

Not a chance. That's more than 2 SD below the 25% mark.

+1. This is crazy. My DS has a 4.0W/34 ACT/10APs, with all the interviews and demonstrated interest and aboxes checked. His guidance counselor has recommended ED, where WM gives a boost, gives him a 50/50 shot.

Looking at the common data set from 2019-20 (pre-test optional for pandemic data), there are 1.38% of admitted students with a GPA of 3.5 or lower. And there are .16% students whose total SATs are below 1000. Pretty sure those two groups don't overlap and they are likely with some serious hooks for the school.

More importantly for OP, it would be really hard to thrive in a place where everyone has such higher achievement than you. And W&M isn't a school where you get in and coast--these very good students continue to work very hard for their grades.

W&M has 42% male to 58% female--there's a ratio issue, but it's not that out of the norm for SLACS. And men have an easier time getting in due to fewer applicants, the admitted men don't have significantly lower stats than admitted women.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently test optional schools have gpa requirements of 3.6+.

Does anyone have recent experience with their child actually being admitted with a 3.5 and either no test scores submitted or 960 SATs?

Never heard of GPA minimums for test optional. Sounds like a myth.

This is a total myth. I've talked to my DS's counselor and we are trying to figure out where to send scores and where not to. His GPA is around 3.5 and tests scores not so great. She told me about many many students from last year who got into decent and even some good schools with under 3.5 and NO scores. She said there is no minimum GPA because you are not sending scores.

Not a myth. Some are explicit (usually state schools); some are "suggestions" - e.g., 3.0 for Duquesne.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely Skidmore has a ratio issue. Frankly, William and Mary has such a bad ratio issue might be worth trying

Not a chance. That's more than 2 SD below the 25% mark.

+1. This is crazy. My DS has a 4.0W/34 ACT/10APs, with all the interviews and demonstrated interest and aboxes checked. His guidance counselor has recommended ED, where WM gives a boost, gives him a 50/50 shot.

Anonymous wrote:Definitely Skidmore has a ratio issue. Frankly, William and Mary has such a bad ratio issue might be worth trying

Not a chance. That's more than 2 SD below the 25% mark.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently test optional schools have gpa requirements of 3.6+.

Does anyone have recent experience with their child actually being admitted with a 3.5 and either no test scores submitted or 960 SATs?

Never heard of GPA minimums for test optional. Sounds like a myth.

This is a total myth. I've talked to my DS's counselor and we are trying to figure out where to send scores and where not to. His GPA is around 3.5 and tests scores not so great. She told me about many many students from last year who got into decent and even some good schools with under 3.5 and NO scores. She said there is no minimum GPA because you are not sending scores.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like there’s missing information here. Maybe he could get approved for extended time on the SAT?

Man does this sum up DCUM. If your kid’s performance is average they must be special needs and need an accommodation so they can be (appear) above average.

I’m just saying it’s a useful tool to have if its appropriate for your kid’s circumstances

or if you can afford an evaluation which shows your kid needs unlimited time to take timed tests. It's a boy, they might as well become part of the epidemic of ADHD amongst suburban boys

University of Phoenix

Anonymous wrote:I had a similar gpa and that exact SAT score in the 90’s. I have a PhD. Some of us take a little longer to bloom. Things have changed in college admissions since then, of course. However, if he wants to go to college, there are school that will accept him and give him the opportunity to mature and flourish.

Admissions have become far more competitive at in the top 100-150 schools in the USNews rankings. Beyond that there are plenty of schools that will take those stats.

And no one wants to say community college, but plenty of people get AAs and then transfer to well regarded state schools.

My kid got a 19 on ACT and had a 3.5. He’s started GMU and is doing fine so far—because he is very disciplined about getting his work done ahead of time. I’m not sure what will happen in a tougher class, but being organized solves a lot of problems.

This is probably the best year to be test optional. I wouldn't lose sleep about it if most people at your kid's high school go to a 4 year college after graduation day.

Anonymous wrote:Can he take an intense SAT review course and take the SAT one more time.

But aren't there SO many test optional schools at this point?

Many kids can't do well on standardized tests. You have to accept that and move on.

maybe marist?

OP, you need to get on Naviance and dig deep into the data. Some of the suggestions here are great, some are insane (Skidmore, St Olaf, GW all show as targets for my kid w/a 4.5wGPA & 31ACT, we ruled out W&M because it looks totally out of reach.)

You also need to take a skeptical eye to the data - if Naviance shows 1 or 2 admits w/your kid's stats, assume that's the 7ft tall kid who can dunk or some other massive hook. Also fwiw the gender gap isn't going to help your son at most places - the applicant pool skews female almost everywhere (except STEM schools), but so does the student body.

Also, it's not too late to do some intense test prep for a December test date. We almost didn't bother, but my kid wound up making a huge leap on a second try.

Final thing: of course there are schools for your kid. But you both need to do some work to figure out where he'll be competitive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like there’s missing information here. Maybe he could get approved for extended time on the SAT?

Man does this sum up DCUM. If your kid’s performance is average they must be special needs and need an accommodation so they can be (appear) above average.

I’m just saying it’s a useful tool to have if its appropriate for your kid’s circumstances