I got a Likely Letter but I am so scared...Help!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
1

<p>The University of Virginia means the world to me. My grandfather & dad went there and I have absolutely fallen in love with UVA. I have worked as hard as I could in school so that I could one day apply to UVA and get accepted. Here are my stats...</p>

<p>Legacy: Yes
OSS: Yes
Financial Need: Yes (Single parent household ~$35,0000 / year)
IB/AP/Honors: IB Program
GPA: UW 3.80
SAT I: 1470/2110 (780-M, 690-R, 660-W)
SAT II: 660- Physics, 650- USH, 640- Math II
Rank: 16/425 (Top 5%)
High School: Sending a Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, & Duke this year.
Sports: Captain of Varsity Tennis Team, 4 Year Starter
Clubs: Vice-President of Young Democrats, Treasurer of Beta Club, Historian of NHS
AP's/IB's: 4- Eng Lit, 3- USH, 3- Physics B, 2- World History/ 5- SL Physics, 5- SL Spanish
EC's: Computer Science- I know a lot about Java and VB6, Graphic Design, and Web Design...I sent in a CS supplement showing my work.</p>

<p>However...Mid Year Grades</p>

<p>HL Math - C (78)
HL History - A (98)
Theory of Knowledge - A (99)
HL Chemistry - A (90)
HL English - A (95)</p>

<p>I am also taking 3 online AP Courses which are AP Bio, AP Calc AB, AP Computer Science A. I haven't gotten my grades for these courses yet but I will soon. My grades are currently: 96, 93, 97</p>

<p>Here's my problem. On my Mid-Year Report, I explained my C in Calculus and how it was an exceptionally difficult semester and how I normally excel in math. I also said that I will not be not be completing the second semester of AP Calc AB (online) due to time constraints. I did say that I would finish AP Bio and AP Comp Sci.</p>

<p>I was very, very, very surprised at getting a likely letter today. I am excited that they considered me to be a strong applicant but I am terrified of the possibililty that they will see my C and my withdrawal out of AP Calc and take away my acceptance. I am so nervous that I haven't told my dad or any of my friends of my likely letter. If I show everyone and I don't get into UVa, everyone will be so disappointed with me. OMG, someone please help!</p>

<p>P.S. In my application, I marked that I would retake the SAT II in January but I got sick so I didn't take the test. Will they be mad at me for saying I would retake and end up not even taking the test. omg...omg...omg</p>

2

<p>I think this would be a good question for Dean J (though she probably can't give you an exact answer due to her position), powderpuff, or cav. </p>

<p>As for the SAT II thing, i would be shocked if they held that against you. I didn't mark that I was re-taking the ACT, then I retook it, and I haven't been penalized by any schools. So in that aspect, you're fine.</p>

3

<p>Don't worry about the SAT II.</p>

<p>As for the Calc...
I'll put it bluntly: dropping a course doesn't look good. But, here's your time to write a letter, explaining everything. Maybe have your GC write. Explain your troubles, and how the online part of Calc made it difficult (I cant even imagine). As for the C part, its a C amongst a slew of As. You still have a 92 average, which is superb. So, this isn't terrible, but dropping the class isn't very good. You need to write them though so you have a chance to fix this, instead of getting a rejection come April if it came to that...
If you contact the AdCom office, I doubt they'll say whether or not this will change the current thought on you. But, they may be able to offer some advice.</p>

4

<p>Likely letter = in.</p>

<p>Seriously.</p>

<p>I haven't heard of anyone who got a likely letter last year who was rejected or deferred. They made this decision knowing your grades ahead of time. They won't care about the SAT II. Stop worrying and celebrate your acceptance. Congrats!</p>

5

<p>Regardless of admission, you definitely need to settle down a little. It is great you have a dream, but trust me, not even UVA is worth this level of stress. And I am certain no one in your family will be disappointed in you whether you go there or not. If so, then pay them no attention. This is your life, not theirs. You will do well someplace and love it.</p>

<p>All of that said, I cannot imagine a scenario where you are not admitted given what you described above. Legacy still means something for OOS apps. They certainly do not care about whether you re-took the SAT II. They probably care about the C, but they had those grades before the likely letter. Besides, that is a tough class that trips up a lot of folks. Get advice from your counselors, but I believe it is best to sit tight and wait it out rather than contacting UVA about the grade. </p>

<p>Anyway, chill out. Enjoy your senior year. You have had a great career and will have a great college career also, probably at UVA, but if not, someplace you will love just as much.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for all the replies and support. I am still a little worried because I sent the mid-year grades on Feb 15 AFTER the likely letter was written. This means that they will see my C for the first time and my withdrawal. I already wrote them a pretty long (2 paragraphs) explanation for my C in Calc. </p>

<p>Should I get my GC to write a note or should I send a formal letter or perhaps even leave it alone?</p>

<p>Also, I can still probably get back into Calculus and finish the course. Do you think it would be a good idea considering online Calculus is so much hw? I really don't have the time but if you guys think it is such a bad thing, I'll get back into the course.</p>

7

<p>"On my Mid-Year Report, I explained my C in Calculus and how it was an exceptionally difficult semester and how I normally excel in math. I also said that I will not be not be completing the second semester of AP Calc AB (online) due to time constraints."</p>

<p>Jask, first of all congratulations!! You are in! In your quote above, you explain that you have already told UVA about the C and your plans not to take Calc AB in the 2nd semester in your MYR. The adcom does read those mid-year reports in detail. So it's done, over, fin, kaput!! UVA knows of the C and the withdrawl--and they want you anyway, so it's time to relax and to tell your Dad and friends about your wonderful likely letter!!
Celebrate!! You basically have been accepted to The University!
Right now is not the time to worry about the SAT II. That is used mainly for placement issues.
Enjoy!!</p>

8

<p>"I think this would be a good question for Dean J (though she probably can't give you an exact answer due to her position), powderpuff, or cav. "</p>

<p>vc08 put me in the same sentence with Dean J and cav.! I'm finally a somebody!!! Seriously, thanks for thinking I have something worthwhile to say.</p>

9

<p>lol that's not fair that a 90 is an A at your school. i wish my school were like that.</p>

10

<p>
[quote]
lol that's not fair that a 90 is an A at your school. i wish my school were like that

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Me too... I'd have straight A's if a 90 was an A</p>

11

<p>jask925, you should probably calm down a little bit. I don't think one C will be detrimental to your application, especially if you have a good story behind it. As an OOS legacy, you're being evaluated as if you were instate, and in that pool you'd be especially competitive (great grades, test scores, ECs). </p>

<p>sf49rox/barrett08, the grading scale is irrelevant and your situation would be no different if your school had a ten point grading scale.</p>

12

<p>
[Quote]
don't know how to spell kaput?? oh well

[/Quote]
</p>

<p>LOL!!! And don't sound so surprised about the lofty status, you're really helpful!</p>

13

<p>Hah! I wasn't sure if anyone would catch that spelling edit! Thanks for your kind words; I'm glad I can help.</p>

14

<p>Guys, they sent the letter BEFORE all of this was sent to them. They don't know about the C or the withdrawal. I don't think the C is a big deal, but the withdrawal may be. I doubt she'll be rescinded completely, but I think it might be a good idea for a good letter of explanation.</p>

15

<p>What about if your grades were in the middle? I had like a slew of B+s and Bs, but these were in AP classes. And one B in a normal class, but that's cuz I hate the teacher and she hates me. It's a long story. Will slipping in this one class deny me my acceptance?</p>

16

<p>Dean J said in a different thread that a slip to B is not a big deal if the rigor was there. </p>

<p>The competition is so tough this year it is hard to tell.</p>

17

<p>Jask, you've been honest to UVA in your MYR.
I truly believe UVA adcom reviews all the MYR's prior to issuing LL's. You are golden, IMO. Rest, enjoy!! Deep breath. Take a break from CC!</p>

18

<p>I withdrew from AP German my senior year entirely because of how much time it was taking up (I had an A) and I got in so don't stress. UVA wants you to have a life.</p>

19

<p>I had Bs on my report card and I got in early. Don't freak out about a few Bs. It's okay. And I also got a C in AP Calc AB. That's a hard class.
Just breathe :)</p>

20

<p>so being a legacy and oos will get you in with the exact same sat scores and better grades? just curious? cause my b has 95 and above in every class and all but one are honors or ap? and the guy is so smart but does not score as good on sat as you would think. his hs counselor loves him, raves about him and everyone that meets him thinks he is amazing (and yes, i am jealous). the kind of guy that knew how to work a remote at 2 and my parents couldn't even figure it out at the hotel in disney world! but it is those darn low sat scores!! but these are the things that admissions never sees...that someone is amazing but a score may not show it!</p>