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<p>Or, if they are coming from a terrible high school. My DD had almost perfect SAT scores, including two subject tests, but a high B average in high school. This combo shut her out of top UC’s which, despite their holistic reviews, place a premium on GPA. She was admitted to every private U she applied to, but without $. She ended up at one of the mid-tier UC’s where she is thriving, taking upper division courses as a freshman. The course work is challenging and interesting, something that was lacking in high school. She has benefitted from the emphasis on essays and tests vs. the endless reams of busywork the high school dished out.</p>