Hey all. I’m feeling very conflicted about my UVa application. I will definitely be applying there, as it is my top choice, and I have the slight advantage of applying in-state, but I’m not sure if I should apply EA or RD. I believe that my GPA and grades are fairly strong but I’m not sure if my course load next year will allow me to improve them. Also, my SAT score isn’t as high as I want it to be, but it’s decent. I just don’t know if these stats are enough to get me into UVa, which is why I would consider applying RD so I could improve my SAT score and increase my GPA. The only issue with improving my GPA is that I’ll be taking more difficult classes next year and I"m not sure if I’ll be able to increase it. Anyways, here is some information about my GPA and SAT scores.
GPA: 3.9 UW / 4.2 W (Top 10%)
SAT I: 700 R / 590 M / 670 W (1960 overall - math could use improvement)
Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics, AP English Lit, AP Spanish, AP Stats, AP Human Geo, Oral Communications, Global Issues, Business Law
By the end of my senior year I will have taken the following AP/Dual Enrollment classes: AP European History, AP Biology, AP U.S. Government, AP U.S. History, Dual Enrollment Chemistry, AP Psychology, AP English Lang, AP Physics, AP English Lit, AP Spanish, AP Human Geo, and AP Stats. 11 APs and 1 DE.
I would like to retake my SAT but I have to take the SAT subject tests as well. If I decide to apply EA, the subject tests will have to be taken in October. The November SAT scores come back too late to be considered for Early Action. I also feel that AP Physics may bring down my GPA, since math and science are already difficult for me. I struggled with chemistry and I believe that physics will be more difficult, so that’s why I’m hesitant to wait to apply RD because my GPA could easily go down. But at the same time, I would like to see my SAT score increase because that would strengthen my application. But fewer people apply EA so I feel like doing so would mean for a greater chance for admission. Does anyone have any advice or guidance for this situation? I would really appreciate it.
Considering you’re in-state, I think you should apply EA. Although you’re not a “shoe-in,” the worst that could possibly happen is you get deferred. I am not an admissions officer, but I highly doubt you would get denied EA since you have a pretty good GPA, SAT score, and course load. I would definitely take SAT subject tests (in October) to help boost your application. Have you considered taking the ACT? There’s a test in September and October, and admissions will take your best score. Best of luck!
Yes, unlike many other colleges, EA at UVa is not more difficult or easier than regular admissions. As noted above, many EA applicants get deferred to the regular admissions cycle - at which time your grades for the first half of your senior year become critical. The only reason to not apply EA is if you have not spent enough time and effort on your essays, and you are trying to rush a last minute submittal of an application at the deadline.
If you have your essays and other stuff ready to go, apply EA.
If you get rejected, it is quite unlikely that one more semester of grades or one more test sitting would have produced a different ultimate result.
If you are borderline, you’d get deferred into the RD round. So your incremental grades/scores would be seen by UVA anyway. And you’d have some early feedback from UVA that would be helpful to the rest of your process.
You should apply early, even though your stats look on the borderline for UVA. You don’t have a great chance, but it’s there. I had a peer who had a 2260 SAT and got deferred early action and accepted regular decision, and he had the same GPA as you. Improve your SAT score and try to do as well as possible in 1st semester of senior year.
It won’t matter. If you’re not a clear (easy decision) admit or deny, you’ll just get deferred to the RD round. If you think your essays, etc., are ready to go, it won’t hurt to apply EA.
You do have a significant advantage as a Virginia resident vs. OOS applicants. You are competing for a different (larger) pool of seats - 1/3 OOS, 2/3 Va. residents - against a much smaller number of applicants (~9,000).
Take an ACT practice test. If you score in a higher percentile, you might make that your test to concentrate on. The two tests play to different strengths.
If you must choose between the SAT subject tests and retaking the SAT, do the subject tests. Your SAT score a little weak but not crippling. They will raise an eyebrow if they don’t see the recommended SAT-II test scores in your application.
My S decided to apply regular decision last year because he wanted to re-take the ACT. His GPA was set and wasn’t going to go up or down. It worked out for him and he was accepted regular decision. I think early action is great if you are ready and feel good about your stats. I know for him he would not have been happy to be deferred.