please explain the unrealistic expectations

<p>You mentioned that on the UNC, Michigan, and UVA websites, the SAT averages are lower than we think. This is actually because most people on here are applying to those schools OOS, and the "averages" you see are brought down immensely by in-staters.</p>

<p>As far as the chances threads, I think Hanna's points are well taken. Many of the responders seem to be other HS kids who have posted their own chances thread. There certainly is a lot of wisdom on these boards, but there's a lot of BS also.</p>

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He gets Ivy League mail, WUStL, etc. We live in Virginia and he is trying ED to UVA, but after seeing some of the posts on here, is pretty discouraged that he will be accepted. I asked him his backup, and he said he was pretty sure Va Tech will accept him.

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Well, to my way of thinking, this board has done your son a service! Several, actually.</p>

<p>First off, it has shown him that even very strong students do not have a "lock" at top schools. With about 3 million HS students graduating each year, even if you just look at the top 1% that is 30,000 kids trying for slots in top schools. And the top schools don't restrict themselves to the top 1%, they reach down a bit and try to build a class of interesting and active students. So if your son has realized that the top schools like HYPS are quite difficult to get into and has decided to focus his energies on finding schools that are matches, I think its something to thank the board for. You'll see plenty of kids who's apps consist of 5 or 6 of the top 100 schools in the country with a safety thrown in "just in case"; you see them posting in the spring with anguished "what do I do now?" posts.</p>

<p>Second, it has shown him something of himself. How does he react when the chips are down? Does he throw in the towel and give up? Or does he reassess where he is and formulate new plans based on what he's learned? Seems that this is a good time for you as a parent to give guidance about being realistic but not abandoning hope.</p>

<p>tsdad hit it on the head about Virginia and instate slots. Given the paltry support these days they are lucky to get that many slots. The Law and Business schools actually get ZERO state funding but survive well on tuition and endowments.</p>

<p>Mikemac made a good point; at the elite schools, it's the SHEER number of applicants which has a substantial impact on one's chances for admission. At the elite and popular schools (not one in the same), the vast majority of applicants have superior qualifications, a redundant point, I know.</p>

<p>Gman, that being said, you and your son need to view many of the comments on this site with a gigantic grain of salt. Be mindful that a student's application needs to distiguish himself/herself in a meaningful and not superficial way.</p>

<p>One last thing, as I recall UVA was under-pressure to admit MORE residents, particularly from areas south of Fairfax and Arlington Counties. The legislature and residents from southside and central Virginia (where the real political power is in the state) complained for years that too many No.VA students were being admitted to UVA at the expense of the other cities and semi-rural areas.</p>