<p>If you already live in Charlottesville, I would go to college somewhere else unless you really love UVa. Though I love UVa, I'm a firm believer that college is a time to discover new ideas, people, and experiences. If you're truly in-state (as in you're not a boarding school student whose parents live somewhere else), you have a great chance at getting into UVa and William & Mary. I agree w/ Slipper1234 and say that Duke is probably your best choice.</p>
<p>3-4 APs per semester? ...that's a light course schedule?</p>
<p>Um. How is 3-4 APs easy? That already sounds like a lot. Are you talking about senior year only or you you mean that would seem low for junior year too?</p>
<p>i live in charlottesville, and board (dont ask). but true in state. I have been told by counselor that I shoudl get into uva and WM, but dont really want to goto UVA.</p>
<p>imdashep, cmon over to WM! They don't care as much about grades as UVA, and look more into other parts of your app, I think you've got a great chance at getting in there.</p>
<p>... and to the question about 3-4 AP tests, you need 6 IB tests for your diploma. Most IB classes are 2 years. And you need another class. And some people take extra tests. Do the math, that's ~11-14 AP tests. I took the AP English Lit test, it was like 4 hours. The IB English test is 2 days, 2 hours each, so that's the same. Then it's 2 papers sent across the world to be graded, a 20 minute prepared presentation, and a 15 minute presentation where you get the passage, get 20 minutes, and then talk for the 15 minutes. The presentations are graded at school, and are moderated internationally. Also, IB tests are bell curved, unlike AP. About 4% of grades on any IB test will be a 7, as opposed to 30%+ on many AP exams. There's a reason the IB diploma program is the hardest pre college program in the world.</p>
<p>3-4 AP classes is above and beyond what 90% of the people in high school will take. But in the realm of the people who want to go to the top schools, it's not much at all.</p>
<p>ive got 6 APs, and 2 additional college credit courses, so i think i should be set there. just those stupid f***ing grades</p>
<p>but you can't fault people who don't have access to IB, don't want to take IB, don't have that many AP classes in the first place surely. Besides 3-4 AP Classes/semester multiplied by four semesters (assuming you started Junior year) is 12-16 APs. Nothing to scoff at. Not to mention the pretty bold assumption that APs are easier on your GPA than IBs. And we weren't talking about AP tests vs IB tests. We were talking about GPA.</p>
<p>"To the person that said that a low GPA is a disadvantage due to the impression that you don't apply yourself: that's pretty much BS if you got a halfway competetive school and take mostly AP/IB classes. They would rather see a 3.7 like that than a 4.0 with only 3-4 AP's per semester."</p>
<p>No they wouldn't.</p>
<p>So what do yal think about chances at those listed schools?</p>
<p>bumpity bump bump ;)</p>
<p>Yea, I can't take IB, I had never heard of it until this board. I am taking 4 APs this year (all year long courses), and 3 honors classes, and that's the heaviest anyone in my grade is doing.</p>
<p>Amused,</p>
<p>If people don't have access to harder classes, then they are not penalized at all at any school. If you have them, and don't take them, you will be penalized, for not seeking a challenging course load.</p>
<p>I didn't say that APs were easier than IBs on your GPA, that's completely in regard to the teachers teaching the classes.</p>
<p>Are you telling me that there's 12-16 AP tests that can be given after only a semester of material?</p>
<p>Ranger 29,</p>
<p>I disagree. Anyone [who has access] to a multitude of advanced classes can take only their 3 strongest classes advanced, and the rest normal, and get like a 4.1+, by putting 0 time into the normal classes, and focusing all their efforts on their strengths. Colleges will see this and want to know why you didn't challenge yourself.</p>
<p>However, there are colleges on both sides of the spectrum. UVA and WM are perfect examples of this, UVA would prefer the higher grades, WM would prefer the harder course load.</p>
<p>i have a friend who had really good stats, 4.4 GPA (never got anything lower then an A) in almost every AP available at the school, a top 10 rated public school in California, 1500-1600 SAT, outstanding and unique ECs, really good recs and got deferred from AMherst ED.....schools are so random</p>
<p>amherst is tough real tough though</p>
<p>I feel lucky... i got accepted ED</p>
<p>Was he applying for Class of '09 or did this happen last year? Did his personality match the school? or was he a robot?</p>
<p>ImdaSheep...you said something about your school not being inflated...Harvard and other schools can't tell that...I mean your SAT is awesome, but the GPA is a little low.</p>
<p>3-4 APs for an entire high school career isn't a lot. But someone said 3-4 APs per semester wasn't impressive. I digress. That's 6-8 a year. Hello...</p>
<p>Well what if those 4 APs are year long courses...is that still impressive?</p>
<p>You've got UVA in the bag</p>
<p>You have a good chance at Duke with ure SATs...your GPA might bite you in the ass though</p>