<p>I'm a junior and I was talking to someone I know who graduated from my high school last year. He didn't get into UVA but got into W&M. I was so surprised.</p>
<p>He had a near 4.0, took about 12 IB classes and a couple of APs, was very involved in chess, won awards for debate, etc. The only downside to his application was that he's Indian.</p>
<p>At my school, there are a lot more people that get into UVA from the AP than IB program. This worries me because the AP program at my school is nothing compared to IB. We don't even have AP sciences here. IB is much more ridiculous, yet I can name a few more top IB students who didn't get into UVA (in-state) last year while some people who took only 3 APs their senior year got in.</p>
<p>I know it might have to do with the rest of the application, but still. Another thing is that IB students at my school are not ranked because they all have high GPAs (which makes no sense to me but that's the school board's reasoning).</p>
<p>Academically, I feel like I have done everything I can to do well in school. I'm in 5 IB classes, 1 AP, and 1 dual enrollment. I have a 4.0 (I'd be val if it weren't for IB) and my other ECs (Eagle Scout, cross country, etc.) are good.</p>
<p>I just feel like being in IB puts me at a disadvantage because IB students here have a tough time getting in compared to people who take the few AP classes that our school offers.</p>
<p>Should I drop out of IB, get the valedictorian ranking, and try get into UVA?</p>
<p>You just got me extra worried at my chances… and I’m out of state, so that makes me worry even more.</p>
<p>Just curious, would you try to run for UVa if you got in?
/also a runner</p>
<p>“The only downside to his application was that he’s Indian.”</p>
<p>Where’s that comment coming from!?!?</p>
<p>No, you should not drop out of IB to get into UVA.</p>
<p>On the Common App guidance counselor form, the GC is asked to report on whether or not you took the most rigorous courseload possible. If you drop out of IB, she’ll have to say no. Some colleges rank rigor of coursework as one of the most important factors for admission.</p>
<p>Being valedictorian doesn’t determine admission to colleges, and in many cases val and sal aren’t announced until long after you’ve submitted your application; the val and sal in my D’s school were announced in late April (after the April 1 college decision deadline.)</p>
<p>Better strategies for getting into UVa. are to prepare well for your standardized tests, take both the SAT and the ACT and then retake one or both if necessary, take the essay seriously, start it over the summer, put it aside, and then revisit it before you submit it.</p>
<p>I’m the mom who made my daughter retake her standardized tests several times. She finally got a 35 on the ACT. She wanted to put off her essay, but one day in August I typed up a first draft while she dictated it to me, and that proved to be the thing that got her started. She had high grades but was not val or sal. UVa. admitted her and offered her the opportunity to be an Echols Scholar.</p>
<p>You are to be commended for thinking of this now and not waiting until your senior year!</p>
<p>Please, please, please try not to compare and make judgements about why someone was or wasn’t accepted. It is very hard, I understand, but there is no possible way that you know everything that was included in the application package. Most times the applicant doesn’t know everything that’s included in their packet if they signed the release not to see their recommendations. There are some decisions frankly that don’t seem to make sense, I’ll admit it, however I promise you admissions has their reasons for each decision. Guessing rarely, if ever, leads to anything good for anyone.</p>
<p>FWIW, it’s not uncommon at all for students to either be accepted to Wm & Mry or UVa but not both. They are unique and selective schools that each use holistic admissions.</p>
<p>W and M and UVa have very similar stats for admitted students, but each year many students get admitted to one but not the other. It just goes to show that admissions can be unpredictable. The answer is to apply to many different schools and keep your options open. Your preferences in location and academic majors may change in a few months, plus it is important to compare aid offers from various colleges.</p>
<p>I suggest U. of Delaware as a backup for someone who really likes UVa. It is similar in many respects, but not as hard in admissions. Newark is similar to Cville. UD also is much cheaper out of state, if you do not expect to qualify for much need based aid at UVa.</p>