<p>Here's my dilemma: I wanted to apply to the e-school but my math scores on SATs and the ACT have been below average for UVA, especially for engineering (620 SAT math and 26 ACT math). also, my EC's are not really geared towards engineering except for one but I just started it this year so I thought overall my application would be stronger for Arts and Sciences but I wanted to apply for enigineering because I think it interests me the most but I'm not exactly sure. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Dan, the real issue is not managing the application process; the issue is what you want to do with your future.
- Are you sure you want to be an engineer? If so, you need to go to engineering school (at UVA or elsewhere); but you might also be interested in related careers in the sciences that you could do through Arts and Sciences. For instance, it’s possible to major in computer science at UVA either through Engineering or through Arts and Sciences.
- Do your SAT/ACT scores reflect your mathematical aptitude, or are you simply a poor test taker? If the latter is the case, then presumably your grades in math/science courses are very high, and the UVA admissions process tends to take grades more seriously than test scores. If, however, your test scores do reflect your math aptitude, and you have your heart set on engineering, then you would probably be happier, and get a better education, at an engineering school where your scores are average to above-average. There’s a lot of emphasis on CC on getting into the most selective college and most rigorous program you possibly can. But in fact, taking very demanding courses with classmates that are way quicker at grasping the material than you are, is a recipe for misery. I’ve taught at elite universities for my whole career and have seen lots of students considering themselves horrible failures there, when they would have been highly successful and less stressed at many other places. I advised my own son to apply to schools where his credentials put him in at least the 60th-70th percentile; that suggested that there would be enough kids in his ability range and above it to challenge him, but not so many that he would get overwhelmed.</p>
<p>Thank you, Jingle for those words of wisdom. I wish more parents and students would heed this type of advice.</p>