Hmm, my kid has similar GPA and loves Columbia. How well respected is General Studies? It says they have the some professors and courses.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're this obsessed with being at a "top" school have your snowflake apply to Columbia School of General Studies. He can still say he went to Columbia and probably get a job in investment banking and marry well.

GS is only available to kids too old for admission to the college or who are in special programs like JTS or Julliard.

That's not true. I know lots of kids that went there after taking a semester at c.c. or doing nothing. They only require you be out of traditional school for 6 months.

Anonymous wrote:If you're this obsessed with being at a "top" school have your snowflake apply to Columbia School of General Studies. He can still say he went to Columbia and probably get a job in investment banking and marry well.

GS is only available to kids too old for admission to the college or who are in special programs like JTS or Julliard.

If you're this obsessed with being at a "top" school have your snowflake apply to Columbia School of General Studies. He can still say he went to Columbia and probably get a job in investment banking and marry well.

Anonymous wrote:No chance for top 20. Maybe top 50.

Move on, OP. Your kid isn't going to a top 20, especially if they have an attitude and manner like yours.

Depends on the school's grading scale. I have seen seemingly unhooked kids with those scores make it into places like Dartmouth, WashU, and Northwestern in the last few years. Some applied ED, were deferred, then waitlisted, and then taken off the waitlist in late April. Sometimes weird stuff happens in late April when admissions officers have to meet their quotas. Risky and very stressful, but it works out for a few.

Anonymous wrote:Same amount you paid for your personality.

Good one.

Same amount you paid for your personality.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, last year, my son (private HS student in NOVA) was admitted to both UCLA and USC (Marshall biz school) with a 3.5 unwtd GPA and SAT score of 1510. In noting these programs, I recognize they are not consensus top 20 (but are consensus top 25) and, in some polls, are in the top 20.

How much did you pay to get him into USC?

Yes, last year, my son (private HS student in NOVA) was admitted to both UCLA and USC (Marshall biz school) with a 3.5 unwtd GPA and SAT score of 1510. In noting these programs, I recognize they are not consensus top 20 (but are consensus top 25) and, in some polls, are in the top 20.

Unlikely. (Unlikely even 20-30 yrs ago). Apply to a couple stretches but focus on next tier down.

No chance for top 20. Maybe top 50.

Move on, OP. Your kid isn't going to a top 20, especially if they have an attitude and manner like yours.

Anonymous wrote:No hooks - 2 years ago - GPA unweighted 3.5 with 35 ACT - Tufts, UVA, Michigan, Notre Dame, Wash U. WL at 2 ivies but did not get in.

Ditto.

Not top 20 - but my kid, 3.4 unweighted private school GPA, no hooks, has already gotten into a test optional SLAC ranked around 75th in national liberal arts colleges by USNWR. And this was without test scores and before her teacher recs or official transcript were submitted. This was a "safety" school for her and she will also be applying to a couple of top 20 SLACS and several more ranked between 20 and 50. She did not apply for financial aid, but the admission offer nonetheless came with $15k merit aid

Whether this will have any bearing on top 20 applications, I don't know, but my strong impression so far (and this is my oldest kid) is that outside of the tippy top schools - the top ten maybe - there is much more wiggle room than people often think when it comes to grades and scores. This is particularly true at the private liberal arts colleges (and perhaps particularly true for kids coming from small independent high schools that colleges know have rigorous courses). And half the top 50 SLACs are now test optional.

My sense is that a kid with >3.3 unweighted from private school will be able to do fine if applying to SLACS, assuming a decent essay, respectable ECs and no big red flags. Hoping DD's teacher recs will also help at the other schools where she is applying. To my surprise, college counselor thinks she has a 50/50 chance at places like Wesleyan, Colby and Smith. Based on all the anxiety on this board and places like college confidential, I'd have thought not, but I guess we'll see....

Anonymous wrote:Our kid was admitted to multiple top 10 schools with these scores. I think your kid is assured to get in. No need to apply anywhere else.

Lol

Our kid was admitted to multiple top 10 schools with these scores. I think your kid is assured to get in. No need to apply anywhere else.