<p>Son a junior at very good public high school in MA. Has a 4.7 weighted GPA (out of 6.0) -- have no idea how this translates on the 4.0 scale but he is a solid B student, having taken 3/4 of his classes at the Advanced level. Will take 3 APs next year (Bio, Stats, Latin); President of Latin Club; varsity golf and crew; few other clubs at school throughout high school and has done a bit of volunteering and will work at a law firm this summer.</p>
<p>School doesn't rank, but he's in top 30% (75/260).</p>
<p>SATs: 700M, 620CR, 520W -- will take again in June.</p>
<p>Also, not applying for financial aid -- does this even matter?</p>
<p>Anyone out there with honest opinion would be most appreciated! Thanks.</p>
<p>It appears to be a reach for your son in term of GPA. His weighted GPA= 4.7/6 = 3.13/4 is in the bottom 14% of accepted students at Loyola (see the stats below). His SAT scores are fine (1320/1600 is in the top 25% at Loyola).</p>
<p>IMO, he would have a chance if he has excellent ECs, great essays and significant volunteering activities. It doesn't hurt to apply.</p>
<p>========
Stats for LOYOLA (source: The college Board)</p>
<p>GPA</p>
<pre><code>* 37% had h.s. GPA of 3.75 and higher
* 22% had h.s. GPA between 3.5 and 3.74
* 27% had h.s. GPA between 3.25 and 3.49
* 9% had h.s. GPA between 3.0 and 3.24
* 5% had h.s. GPA between 2.5 and 2.99
</code></pre>
<p>Middle 50% of
First-Year Students Percent Who
Submitted Scores
SAT Critical Reading: 560 - 650 96%
SAT Math: 560 - 660 96%</p>
<p>"Also, not applying for financial aid -- does this even matter?"</p>
<p>No, it does not matter, I believe. There are two types of financial aids.</p>
<p>(1) Merit scholarships: based on GPA, SAT, ECs, essays ... You do not have to apply. The college gives these scholarships to top students.</p>
<p>(2) Need-based scholarships: based on parents' income (after the student is accepted). Most need-based scholarship money comes from the Federal Gov't. So it does not matter you apply for aid or not.</p>
<p>In fact, ceteris paribus, low income students have some advantage over higher income students (actually parents) due to the diversity policy of the school.</p>
<p>your son will have no problems getting in, and will most likely get a very generous scholarship</p>
<p>Really? Why do you think "with a very generous scholarship" ? You're quite encouraging!</p>
<p>My D is a freshman. She only took 2 Honors classes in high school because in her school you were not allowed to take APs unless you were invited to by a teacher. Her SATs and ACTs we're slightly lower than the ones listed above. I really believe it was her showing interest when the Loyola admissions person came to her school and then remembered her when she went in for an interview. She did have a very good essay. It's really hard to judge about the "stats".</p>
<p>Yes, good stats are necessary, but not a sufficient condition for acceptance to a good college !</p>