Anonymous
01/09/2024 08:39
Subject: Re:Where do low A- students from highly selective, rigorous, elite high schools get in?
Gotcha. That stinks. It’s an outlier of a grade and hopefully won’t impact them too much.
Anonymous
01/09/2024 08:09
Subject: Where do low A- students from highly selective, rigorous, elite high schools get in?
Anonymous wrote:A C+ for the quarter, not the year, correct? If your child is only a junior, don’t they have time to get that grade up before end of the year? At my child’s high school the transcript only reflects end of year grades or grades to date for senior year, so one quarter of a C+ could turn into a B, etc…
Our high school reports only one grade, the year-end grade. His quarter grades were C+, B-, B, C+, with a C- on the midterm and no final. For AP classes, each quarter is 2/9 and the midterm is 1/9.
My kid had a 79.222 for the year, which the teacher would not round up to a B-. Really sucked but what can you do?
(This was junior year and he is now a senior.)
Anonymous
01/09/2024 08:00
Subject: Where do low A- students from highly selective, rigorous, elite high schools get in?
A C+ for the quarter, not the year, correct? If your child is only a junior, don’t they have time to get that grade up before end of the year? At my child’s high school the transcript only reflects end of year grades or grades to date for senior year, so one quarter of a C+ could turn into a B, etc…
Anonymous
01/09/2024 07:59
Subject: Where do low A- students from highly selective, rigorous, elite high schools get in?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:This describes my child to a T (more As than Bs, but has a glaring C+ in APUSH from junior year.) No ADHD; just early onset senioritis. Counselors (school counselor and private counselor) advised him to cast a wide net because they believe that C+ may automatically take him out of the running at some schools. White male unhooked business major. Amazing ECs and a 1540 SAT.
So, his list (while we await results):
ED1: Villanova - denied
EA: Kelley/IU (accepted as direct admit); Providence (accepted); Fordham (accepted); Richmond (waiting to hear)
Regular Decision (we understand many are reaches):
Lehigh
Lafayette
Bucknell
Wake
Holy Cross
W&M
BC
BU
Nova denied is crazy
Not really. A C+ is APush isn’t good. Villanova is competitive.
Mother of the C+ here. Yes, that's what the counselor told us -- that when they make their cuts, students who have Cs on their transcript junior year probably don't advance to the next round.
Anonymous
01/08/2024 23:40
Subject: Where do low A- students from highly selective, rigorous, elite high schools get in?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:This describes my child to a T (more As than Bs, but has a glaring C+ in APUSH from junior year.) No ADHD; just early onset senioritis. Counselors (school counselor and private counselor) advised him to cast a wide net because they believe that C+ may automatically take him out of the running at some schools. White male unhooked business major. Amazing ECs and a 1540 SAT.
So, his list (while we await results):
ED1: Villanova - denied
EA: Kelley/IU (accepted as direct admit); Providence (accepted); Fordham (accepted); Richmond (waiting to hear)
Regular Decision (we understand many are reaches):
Lehigh
Lafayette
Bucknell
Wake
Holy Cross
W&M
BC
BU
Nova denied is crazy
Not really. A C+ is APush isn’t good. Villanova is competitive.
Anonymous
01/08/2024 23:08
Subject: Where do low A- students from highly selective, rigorous, elite high schools get in?
Anonymous wrote:Profile:
-Female
-White
-Won't qualify for need-based aid
-Not a first gen student
-Not interested in the schools to which she is a legacy
-Highly selective and rigorous high school with big-name recognition (a large %age of kids go on to Ives and TTs)
-Low A- average (pretty much a 90 on the dot), a mix of As and Bs (due to ADHD), nothing ever lower than a B-
-All honors courses
-D3 equivalent athlete (but not interested in too many D3 schools due to size)
-Leadership: Team captain, club president, peer leader
-Great extra-curriculars all with long-term commitment
-Volunteering
-1500 SAT (will take it again and try for higher)
-Very personable, mature, and well-liked by both peers and adults
-Humble and empathetic
She's used to a competitive environment, a tough workload, being surrounded by extremely bright peers, and the clout that's attached to attending a prestigious (nerd) school. Due to her grades, I fear the schools on her preliminary list are all reach schools, even though Naviance shows many of them as a match (I'm not convinced because many of the schools show NA for GPA). And her GC thinks it's too early to discuss. But we need to make plans to see schools this spring, and I don't want to waste time and money seeing the wrong schools.
Based on her profile and type of HS, what elite colleges are worth even trying for?
What you need to determine is where to visit in a few months. You will get guidance from counselor soon and can develop a clearer list when you have that info (and junior grades are in).
As for spring break, look at somewhere drivable that has three or so schools with different profiles. I would avoid T25 at this point, which I would advise everyone: Don’t start with a shiny toy that your kid may never get.
Based on your kid’s general profile, maybe a Md/Virginia/NC trip could be: a school from each category:
- Large schools: Tech, JMU, UNC Charlotte, UMD
- Medium Schools : Wake, W&M,
- small schools: W&L, Davidson, Mary Washington, Richmond
It more matters that she gets a feel for what she may want out of college than visit somewhere she will def apply.
And also more importantly than where she might be admitted, I would be focusing on what she may want to study and then see if any on the list have that program. Or try to figure out if anything is a non-starter (maybe you want on campus housing or no Greek life).
Anonymous
01/08/2024 23:03
Subject: Re:Where do low A- students from highly selective, rigorous, elite high schools get in?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:GC thinks it is too early? What her grade?
11th
They said spring, so it should be soon. But it's disappointing because it doesn't leave much time for tours before the end of this school year.
My DC's elite high school counselors made sure to give us ideas of schools to tour over Junior year spring break. If your kid's school is that good, they should be doing the same.
I chuckle every time I see "elite". My FCPS DS got an appointment to West Point and a ride to Princeton.
Your point is? (and I'm sorry you're broke)
Anonymous
01/08/2024 22:15
Subject: Re:Where do low A- students from highly selective, rigorous, elite high schools get in?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:GC thinks it is too early? What her grade?
11th
They said spring, so it should be soon. But it's disappointing because it doesn't leave much time for tours before the end of this school year.
My DC's elite high school counselors made sure to give us ideas of schools to tour over Junior year spring break. If your kid's school is that good, they should be doing the same.
I chuckle every time I see "elite". My FCPS DS got an appointment to West Point and a ride to Princeton.
Do you chuckle when folks mention elite public schools like TJ?
Anonymous
01/08/2024 21:31
Subject: Re:Where do low A- students from highly selective, rigorous, elite high schools get in?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:GC thinks it is too early? What her grade?
11th
They said spring, so it should be soon. But it's disappointing because it doesn't leave much time for tours before the end of this school year.
My DC's elite high school counselors made sure to give us ideas of schools to tour over Junior year spring break. If your kid's school is that good, they should be doing the same.
I chuckle every time I see "elite". My FCPS DS got an appointment to West Point and a ride to Princeton.
Anonymous
01/08/2024 21:31
Subject: Where do low A- students from highly selective, rigorous, elite high schools get in?
ED wisely and to a school where the sat is at 50tb percentile or higher. Do not apply for aid. Aim for a high target or low reach.
Low reach might be an “easier” Cornell school like human ecology, not top but not bottom NESCAC like Colby or tufts. Other schools like Davidson or wake or grinell would fall into this category. UVA or Emory if interested.
High target might be BU/BC, Tulane, a nescac like bates, other top but not as popular schools like macalester, pitzer, Carleton, or a UT Austin.
Low reach might be an “easier” Cornell school like human ecology, not top but not bottom NESCAC like Colby or tufts. Other schools like Davidson or wake or grinell would fall into this category. UVA or Emory if interested.
High target might be BU/BC, Tulane, a nescac like bates, other top but not as popular schools like macalester, pitzer, Carleton, or a UT Austin.
Anonymous
01/08/2024 21:26
Subject: Where do low A- students from highly selective, rigorous, elite high schools get in?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:This describes my child to a T (more As than Bs, but has a glaring C+ in APUSH from junior year.) No ADHD; just early onset senioritis. Counselors (school counselor and private counselor) advised him to cast a wide net because they believe that C+ may automatically take him out of the running at some schools. White male unhooked business major. Amazing ECs and a 1540 SAT.
So, his list (while we await results):
ED1: Villanova - denied
EA: Kelley/IU (accepted as direct admit); Providence (accepted); Fordham (accepted); Richmond (waiting to hear)
Regular Decision (we understand many are reaches):
Lehigh
Lafayette
Bucknell
Wake
Holy Cross
W&M
BC
BU
Your kid got denied Villanova with a 1500?
PP's kid must not have been the best applicant to Villanova from his Catholic high school.
Anonymous
01/08/2024 21:24
Subject: Re:Where do low A- students from highly selective, rigorous, elite high schools get in?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:GC thinks it is too early? What her grade?
11th
They said spring, so it should be soon. But it's disappointing because it doesn't leave much time for tours before the end of this school year.
My DC's elite high school counselors made sure to give us ideas of schools to tour over Junior year spring break. If your kid's school is that good, they should be doing the same.
Anonymous
01/08/2024 19:52
Subject: Where do low A- students from highly selective, rigorous, elite high schools get in?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:VA Tech
U of Richmond
BU and BC
Wake Forest
Tulane
Denison
Mount Holyoke
Lafayette and Lehigh
Union
Ohio State
Pitt
UNH
Good list, one thing I would caution though is with regards to BU. If your daughter has any incling of potentially pursing further studies (be it JD, MBA, PhD) after undergrad, I would advice her to steer clear of BU. Unless things have changed in the last 5-10 years, BU was known as a GPA deflator (granted this is more anectodal, I don't have hard facts handy), meaning it is harder to get high grades at BU than at comparable institutions. Don't get me wrong it's a great school, but it lite tally being difficult to get high or good GPA here would make me worry.
However, if BU is known for that, the grad school should also be aware of it, and this factor should be considered, right? I'm not sure how challenging it will get moving forward, but my daughter has finished with all A's so far, and she does want to go to graduate school for research. In fact, considering this aspect, I thought BU is great, as it is known for being a research powerhouse.
Anonymous
01/08/2024 19:32
Subject: Where do low A- students from highly selective, rigorous, elite high schools get in?
So, the 1500 is good. Good enough for anywhere.
90 or A- is also good. But a lot will depend on the rigor of the school.
APs? Calculus BC? IB?
It makes a big difference. Unless you are in the middle of nowhere, the "good" colleges are going to be aware of your school. So they'll know. Rigor of classes is a big deal.
How does she compare with her classmates? Where did they get in last year?
That'll give you a baseline.
I cannot stress essays enough. Knock that out of the park. Also the teacher recs. And for the ECs, make sure there is demonstrable passion and leadership by senior year.
Everything is still possible. She'll have to know what kind of school she wants.
90 or A- is also good. But a lot will depend on the rigor of the school.
APs? Calculus BC? IB?
It makes a big difference. Unless you are in the middle of nowhere, the "good" colleges are going to be aware of your school. So they'll know. Rigor of classes is a big deal.
How does she compare with her classmates? Where did they get in last year?
That'll give you a baseline.
I cannot stress essays enough. Knock that out of the park. Also the teacher recs. And for the ECs, make sure there is demonstrable passion and leadership by senior year.
Everything is still possible. She'll have to know what kind of school she wants.
Anonymous
01/08/2024 19:30
Subject: Where do low A- students from highly selective, rigorous, elite high schools get in?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Profile:
-Female
-White
-Won't qualify for need-based aid
-Not a first gen student
-Not interested in the schools to which she is a legacy
-Highly selective and rigorous high school with big-name recognition (a large %age of kids go on to Ives and TTs)
-Low A- average (pretty much a 90 on the dot), a mix of As and Bs (due to ADHD), nothing ever lower than a B-
-All honors courses
-D3 equivalent athlete (but not interested in too many D3 schools due to size)
-Leadership: Team captain, club president, peer leader
-Great extra-curriculars all with long-term commitment
-Volunteering
-1500 SAT (will take it again and try for higher)
-Very personable, mature, and well-liked by both peers and adults
-Humble and empathetic
She's used to a competitive environment, a tough workload, being surrounded by extremely bright peers, and the clout that's attached to attending a prestigious (nerd) school. Due to her grades, I fear the schools on her preliminary list are all reach schools, even though Naviance shows many of them as a match (I'm not convinced because many of the schools show NA for GPA). And her GC thinks it's too early to discuss. But we need to make plans to see schools this spring, and I don't want to waste time and money seeing the wrong schools.
Based on her profile and type of HS, what elite colleges are worth even trying for?
My DD was eerily the same in every element that you described -- was accepted ED to Cornell. Granted this was 4 years ago. Good luck
That's great, does she love it? What do you think was her differentiator? My kid wants to apply ED to Cornell, but I fear it could be a waste of an ED
She absolutely LOVES Cornell. I think the differentiator was her essays, leadership ECs (she was also HS class Prez), and teacher recommendations. This was HS class of '20.