Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand that "more" is always better. However, I also can clearly see that based on the last 10 years of Naviance history at my kids public VA high school, a certain GPA with a decent SAT gets kids admitted, even if kids take different combinations of classes to get to that GPA.

My kid took two languages in high school which hurt his GPA since that meant he was not taking as many AP classes as some of his classmates, but he was still admitted. I know other neighborhood kids who didn't take a language junior/senior years or who took AB calc or AP stats, and were still admitted.

This is what I have been trying to say as well, my kids did not take a specific slate of classes to get into UVA. They took what they wanted, which was diverse set of APs, music, language and a free period... and still got in because they had the GPA needed and scores that were acceptable. There's not much more science to it with UVA. Its about GPA/class rank and having everything else in good measure as well.

Anonymous wrote:I wake up every day and work a job I hate because it pays me a lot of money. I am not proud of this fact. It is just a fact. I think HS is too early to do things because you need to pay bills or get that promotion or whatever. If my child is a STEM kid and doesn't want to take APUSH then we just cross UVA right off the list (and whatever school). And likewise, the other way if they're strong in the humanities but AP Calc is not for them. These kids are riddled with anxiety at younger and younger ages. HS should be spent taking the hardest classes they can be successful in the subjects they enjoy and they will find the right college. You can do all the things and still not get in where you apply so why bother? Things like taking a 4th year of language is a no-brainer. You already took 3 what is another one? But squeezing a STEM kid into a humanities hole or vice versa doesn't seem worth it to me. Focus on your child enjoying their youth and getting an well rounded education (4 years of core subjects) but they don't all have to be AP classes. Honors is ok and you will find a college who says so.

Anonymous wrote:I understand that "more" is always better. However, I also can clearly see that based on the last 10 years of Naviance history at my kids public VA high school, a certain GPA with a decent SAT gets kids admitted, even if kids take different combinations of classes to get to that GPA.

My kid took two languages in high school which hurt his GPA since that meant he was not taking as many AP classes as some of his classmates, but he was still admitted. I know other neighborhood kids who didn't take a language junior/senior years or who took AB calc or AP stats, and were still admitted.

Anonymous wrote:I was frustrated that a UVA rep told my son he had to/should strongly consider taking AP Lit senior year even for Engineering. He is taking AP Lang now and has taken an extra English elective in the past. Plenty of humanities electives as well. Even a college DE course seemed like it wouldn’t be looked upon as favorably as AP Lit. He’s not going to take AP Lit and will roll the dice to see if they find his other 12 APs, national awards and other credentials worthy.

Anonymous wrote:That UVA rep was just in a zoom for junior parents. What people are saying about core is what she said. I think the exact words were "cover your core" and then use any elective spots to pursue interests.

She also said that there are a lot of people who say they are experts on UVA admission but who don't give good advice.

Anonymous wrote:I was frustrated that a UVA rep told my son he had to/should strongly consider taking AP Lit senior year even for Engineering. He is taking AP Lang now and has taken an extra English elective in the past. Plenty of humanities electives as well. Even a college DE course seemed like it wouldn’t be looked upon as favorably as AP Lit. He’s not going to take AP Lit and will roll the dice to see if they find his other 12 APs, national awards and other credentials worthy.

Anonymous wrote:I was frustrated that a UVA rep told my son he had to/should strongly consider taking AP Lit senior year even for Engineering. He is taking AP Lang now and has taken an extra English elective in the past. Plenty of humanities electives as well. Even a college DE course seemed like it wouldn’t be looked upon as favorably as AP Lit. He’s not going to take AP Lit and will roll the dice to see if they find his other 12 APs, national awards and other credentials worthy.

Anonymous wrote:I was frustrated that a UVA rep told my son he had to/should strongly consider taking AP Lit senior year even for Engineering. He is taking AP Lang now and has taken an extra English elective in the past. Plenty of humanities electives as well. Even a college DE course seemed like it wouldn’t be looked upon as favorably as AP Lit. He’s not going to take AP Lit and will roll the dice to see if they find his other 12 APs, national awards and other credentials worthy.

Anonymous wrote:Does taking AP Spanish as a junior count as taking a foreign language all four years? AP Spanish Literature is not offered at DD’s school