<p>My Junior daughter does not have a guidance counslor at her very small school. I have plugged her stats into both Cappex and Parchment and was wondering if anyone has used these services? I would rather not post her stats because she is an average all American kid who doesn't come close to most posters here but for our area is in the top 20%. Parchment seems to give her more chances at the schools we're looking at but I don't want to get her hopes up too much.</p>
<p>Parchment can be very accurate for less selective private schools with a high number of applicants, such as Drexel or Tulane, but much less so for regional LACs. At least that was my experience with the site. Despite having stats in the top 25% for University of Puget Sound, and it being a school that only nominally considers interest, Parchment gave me a 12% chance of getting in. I ended up not only getting in, but also getting one of their highest merit awards. The discrepancy between predicted result and actual one was likely due to limited data about UPS. Few students used Parchment to submit scores to that school, so the site couldn’t properly analyze chances. </p>
<p>Additionally, Parchment doesn’t consider non numerical factors in admissions. I’m convinced that a full pay, 3.0 1600 student has a far greater likelihood of admission to non needblind colleges than a 3.7 1900 student with an EFC of $2,000. The best way to check chances is to look at a school’s common data set, see what factors they consider, and see where your child falls in that range. Also note that the vast majority of schools let in the overwhelming majority of applicants. It’s just that these schools are rarely mentioned on CC.</p>
<p>I’ve looked at them too and I agree Parchment gives higher chances—probably too high. Cappex is probably a little more realistic.</p>
<p>Don’t be afraid to post your daughter’s stats. I’m sure they are fine and she will do well. Yes there are many who have super-stats but that is the not the norm. Just think bell curve!</p>
<p>Thanks for the replys. I will be so happy when this child is done this time next year. My next child is so much easier she really knows what she wants and it should be no problem for her to get into her dream school (everyone else’s saftey school).</p>
<p>Just take either with a grain of salt as they pretty much only look at GPA and test scores. I think it’s a good reality check for someone that thinks their 3.2 GPA, 25 ACT is getting into Harvard, for example, but there is always those outside factors that many colleges consider that you really can’t put into a graph–even if they had one at their own school. If her GPA and test scores are in the 50% or higher range and admissions are reasonable, 40% or higher, it’s a good match for her to apply. She should apply to a few schools where her stats are in the top 25% and you can afford without aid. That should give her some nice options next year. I would also suggest applying to a safety school with rolling admissions. It’s amazing how much less stressful senior year will be having at least ONE option.</p>
<p>Steve thats the exact plan we have. Thanks to this amazing site we have found a few schools that not only can she get into she has a strong chance for aide that will make it affordable for us. Most likely she will go to our state flagship but I wanted her to have other choices because it is not a for sure thing that she will get in.</p>