My daughter is applying to SEAS and is interested in the Rodman Scholars Program. She is a bit nervous about her chances but I think she is a solid in-state candidate. However, we are aware that college admissions don’t always turn out in your favor even with excellent credentials. I’ll list her stats below. We appreciate any advice/comments regarding admission, selection for Rodman and/or maximizing her application. ~ Thanks
UW GPA: 4.0
W GPA: 4.46
ACT Composite (1 sitting): 35
Math Level 2 SAT Subject Test: 800
AP Tests: Calculus AB - 5; Physics C: Mechanics - 5; Statistics - 5; US History - 5; Macroeconomics - 5; Microeconomics - 4
Rank: School doesn’t not rank. GPA is currently near the top of the 1st decile.
Extra-Curricular Activities:
Selected to the Virginia Summer Residential Governor’s School for Mathematics, Science and Technology - 10th Grade
Selected to the Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics - Center for the Evolution of the Elements (JINA-CEE) - Physics of Atomic Nuclei Program - 10th Grade
Selected the Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars VASTS) Program - 11th Grade
Robotics Team: 4+ years; Captain - 2+ years
Finance Club: 2 years; President - 1 year
Women in Steam Club: 2 years; President - 2 years
Ballroom Dance Instructor Assistant - employed 3+ years
JV/V Volleyball - 3 years
Volunteering for various community organizations - 4+ years
Awards & Nominations:
Jefferson Scholar nominee for 2019-20
National Merit - Commended - 12th Grade
Dartmouth Book Award - 11th Grade
Science Award - 10th Grade
I think she will have no problem getting into UVA for Engineering but it seems that Rodman scholars are very hard to get for in state students. It seems that it is used as a way to persuade top out of state students to attend and pay out of state tuition. I know a student that did many of the programs your daughter did, 4.99 GPA, 18 AP’s with all 5’s, 800 Math 2 subject test, 800 chemistry subject test, 800 SAT math score and still not get Rodman Scholars in state. Good Luck.
Great shot, but where in VA? The competition she’ll face, if you’re in NVa, is different than in other parts of the state. And remember this is holistic, not just about stats and honors.
There is such a thing as too many AP, kids who seem to want to accrue a high number of them, meaning all sorts of non-cores and sometimes not the pattern of stretch that means anything to top adcoms.
We’re in the Richmond area. She met a lot of hardcore NoVa kids at the summer residential Governor’s school. The competition is fierce up north for sure.
She has mainly pursued STEM related classes and extra-curriculars. She is more pointy then well-rounded.
Nothing wrong with a lot of AP classes but they should be in core classes. UVA says they want to see all 5 core classes each year(they include language as a core). Their point is that a student should be able to succeed at any major, not just the one that they are interested in 12 grade.
Why UVA for engineering?? My son loved the school and I get it if your daughter does too but it is mid tier and the facilities are so lacking in this discipline.
She participated in a SWE event at UVA a couple of years ago and really liked everything about the university. She has been back several times since and comes home more impressed each time. She also likes VT and realizes they have a stellar engineering school. However, if she is lucky enough to be admitted to both, UVA looks like her #1 if she stays in-state.
She intends to major in Systems Engineering. She really enjoys math & data type classes. UVA is also adding a new Data Science Institute. She is interested in management consulting and thinks an MBA will likely be included in her future plans.