Hi,
I’m going to apply to UVA this year. I’m just outside the top 10% of my class at an average suburban high school. I’m upset because I have heard that UVA only accepts people in the top 10% of the class, even though I have some amazing and unique EC at the national level, and have an above average SAT score for my school. Is this statement about the top 10 and UVA true and do I even have a shot at UVA?
My school sends ~20 people to UVA each year.
It takes more than some unique ECs and an above average SAT. The U is holistic, every aspect matters, not just somehighlights.
You should be researching, not going on what you heard. 100% of freshmen who reported rank are in the top half of their class, 98% are in the top quarter. But only 44% of freshman even submitted rank.
It’s very competitive. The more you learn about what does matter to them, from what they say and show, the better you can match yourself to what they want, the better your own presentation can be. Do this now and you have time to fine tune some aspects of ECs and writing.
There is nothing I can do to change my GPA because I’m a junior. I understand that the application is viewed holistically, and I understand that the GPA is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, but I just want to see if I have any hope of applying. I took a rigorous course load, and I am around 11%.
Definitely apply - 11% is almost 10%! And it’s holistic. Are you in-state?
Yes, I’m in state.
You’re asking the wrong question, imo. You’re still focused on rank. They don’t admit by rank.
Now, if you understood they like xx and want kids with yy and zz attributes, who’ve tried this or that and can “show, not just tell,” you could see if (and how) you demonstrate those, how you interest adcoms or not. Your major may matter, the ECs that relate to that may affect all this.
A kid could be top 5% and still blow the rest. Be savvy. If you choose to apply, make it an informed decision.
@violinist018 I think you might find a few posts about GPA and rank helpful. These are not “EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.” Those are not standardized calculations.
Keep in mind that our class rank stat only includes students who come from schools that report rank to colleges. Entire counties in Virginia have stopped reporting rank, so a good portion of the class is missing from that stat.
http://uvaapplication.blogspot.com/2017/01/uva-admissions-holistic-review-and-gpa.html
http://uvaapplication.blogspot.com/2013/12/lets-talk-about-class-rank.html