pretty nervous about UVA...

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>i've been reading how unbelievably difficult it is to get into UVA for out-of-staters...it's making me, honestly, pretty queezy just thinking about it b/c i wasn't aware just HOW hard it would be..... could somebody shed some light and let me know if i even have a CHANCE of getting in? i'm a white female from pa applying early decision. my stats:</p>

<p>SAT's: v-690 m-680 w-680</p>

<p>courses i've taken: honors english, history in 10th, 11th, and will be in 12th(got A's all around except 1 semester in history) and these are all that are offered in the way of honors</p>

<p>bio, advanced bio, chem, advanced chem, physics I, (12th gr.-physics II), </p>

<p>algebra II, III, geometry, (12th gr.-adv. math), </p>

<p>got A's in everything....</p>

<p>i have an independent study scheduled for senior year i think i might take a college course or just do some research or something</p>

<p>weighted GPA 4.625 on a scale of 100 its a 94</p>

<p>rank 3/220 </p>

<p>EC: piano/voice study for 12 years- i will probably submit a cd showcasing this to the music department as part of my app.
certified scuba diver, lifeguard- (obviously this entails that i'm certified in CPR, first aid, AED training)
church youth group/mission trip participant 9th grade
varsity swim team 9th,10th,11th and will be 12th
employed as lifeguard at 2 locations for 2 yrs., currently also employed as assistant in bakery
volunteer all study halls to lifeguarding for special needs students (i am required to have study halls 3 days/wk. with my lab courses)<br>
national honors society since beginning 11th grade</p>

<p>national merit scholar commendation (maybe semi-finalist but dont know yet), won essay contest in 10th grade, 1st place in speech contest 11th grade...those are the only significant awards (is this bad??) </p>

<p>anybody who could post...please let me know. i'm feeling really anxious right now even though the application isn't even available online yet. haha i feel so dumb but i NEED to know what you think. thanks!</p>

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<p>I think that you have a pretty good chance of getting in. Just improve the SAT score. Also did you take any A.P.'s? If not and you can register for them in 12th grade then I would highly recommend a community college course. </p>

<p>Also have you seen the campus. I went there and it was pretty good. I went in the summer and it was quiet. There were a lot of buildings and great shopping (family type of shopping) places near by.</p>

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<p>yeah actually originally i wanted to go to duke, like since 8th grade, and i knew it would be hard to get in but damn it, i was GOING lol. but then i saw the UVA campus and it was by far the best one i've seen yet. absolutely loved it. and fortunately, turns out duke's campus is kind of rigid and imposing anyways. but anyways...that makes me feel a little better b/c i can defnitely get my scores up. thanks for your input!</p>

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<p>Hi! My d was in a similar situation 2 years ago. She LOVED UVA from the moment she saw the campus. She did everything she could to get in. She visited the campus twice- applied ED- and and it was her top choice school designated by her status as she too was National Merit Commended (and you can pick 2 schools to let them know of your interest- or something like that). We too are OOS (NY), and her grades-SAT's-etc. were above average for incoming UVA students. Suffice it to say, she was rejected. The good news is- her disappointmentment lasted about 10 minutes. After getting the rejection letter, she was on the phone with a friend making arrangements to see Cornell again. She'll be leaving Monday to start her sophomore year. So my advice--You definitely have a shot at UVA. Your grades-ranking are great. Even if you got your SAT's up to 1500, that still wouldn't guarantee a spot- but you may as well try the test again in Oct. and maybe try the ACT too. I see you swim and you are a life guard. Can you be recruited for the swim team (or do they have a crew team)?? UVA loves athletes. Many of the kids from Long Island who do get into UVA, seem to be recruited athletes. Also UVA has a marching band. I suggest you explore all your talents and see if there is something that would benefit the UVA community. For OOS kids, it is difficult to get in. But try anyway and have some good back-up schools. There is life after UVA. Good luck.</p>

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<p>marny1 just wondering how could your daughter be rejected from UVA and then get into an ivy. Maybe her scores were better appreciated in Cornell. </p>

<p>Also is the UVA campus really that good. I saw it and it was okay. I didn't see the whole thing though, but it seemed average for a college.</p>

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<p>Hi sciencenerd- It happens alot especially to OOS kids. For a NY kid, it is easier to get into an Ivy than it is to get into UVA. Haven't followed UVA stats in a while, but they only accepted about 100 NY kids. It is easier for our kids to get into Cornell etc. than a school like UVA. Three other kids applied to UVA too. All were rejected- all were top 3 to 7 % ranked- all 1400+ SAT's- all great EC's etc. etc. Another kid also got into Cornell- one at UNC the other at Tufts. So as I stated, it's not impossible for OOS kids to get into UVA but it ain't easy. I don't want to discourage BWilks from applying, because you definitely have the background to get in- but just remember there are other great schools out there.</p>

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<p>so from what i gather, the general consensus is that the OOS selection process is extremely subjective... likely based more on essays/recommendations/(and obviously) alumni status than on grades, scores, and rankings. is this a logical conclusion? </p>

<p>and i have no alumni connections i'm just an isolated UVA loser lol. but actually, I won't be COMPLETELY heartbroken if i'm rejected from UVA. my 2nd choice in W&M which i think I have a much greater chance at b/c of my mom's alumni status/ really great connections, and I had a great interview there. the competition to get into W&M is pretty similar to UVA i'm assuming??</p>

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<p>Hi bwilks- You have the right attitude. If you get into UVA-great but if not, you'll move on. By the way, my d was accepted by W&M. So at least for her, it was "easier" to get accepted by W&M. With your mom's alumni status, and a good interview, I think you'll get good news from them in April. We also loved the W&M campus, so I am sure you'll find much happiness there too.</p>