@jventola - Schools will use unweighted GPAs, and lowish SATs with high GPAs might signal grade inflation at her school. Your D obviously has a great work ethic and will go far in life despite this slight bump in the road. Test scores will be forgotten a few years out of college. Best of luck.
I applied to schools two years ago and realized it was quite difficult to get into to many places. It seems that the college acceptance game has been increasingly more difficult. However, because of a gradual decline in applicants and enrollers, hopefully this trend will change.
So, that’s one issue: So many (qualified) students are applying that it turns into not only something that is overly competitive, but a game of luck in many ways.
And, because of this general climate in higher education, some colleges will pass up outstanding students with little to no reason. Maybe the GPA was imperfect, test scores could have been better, the essay(s) didn’t blow anyone away, the student didn’t seem like a good fit, the interview was unspectacular, the student didn’t leave an impression on the reviewing committee, etc. These don’t pertain to this particular student. Regardless, collectively, the reasons go on and on, and sometimes are quite trivial in the grand scheme of things.
Just a personal example: I had a wonderful application. Essays and recommendations were phenomenal. Quality leadership experience. ACT 34. Had been in national competitions for an e.c and done well. IB Diploma candidate. All honors and college credit courses. What did me in? Low GPA in one semester. Overall, I was still around a 3.5. But, my mom passed away unexpectedly in high school, and my GPA (understandably) tanked at that time.
All of this is to say that two years ago, I was frustrated. I knew I was a catch and could excel at many universities. Only a couple (very elite) colleges passed up on me. But today, with the gift of hindsight, I am happy I chose my small liberal arts college instead of the enviable ivy. I love my professors. I stumbled upon a major I am in love with. I had access to leadership opportunities since my freshmen year. I am able to serve on an elite faculty committee (not many schools even allow this). I will be graduating early. And, to top it all off, my GPA is actually even better than it was in high school. I know no student picking colleges wants to hear it now, and I can certainly understand the exasperation, but things do work out. If you are a quality candidate, work hard, and work intelligently, you will be fine no matter where you end up (probably, within reason).
and not to BU, WHAT IS GOING ON? This is so crazy I can’t even believe it!
@jventola What is her unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale? That is what they look at.
What happened with other people in her high school? Is it her high school, is there something in her record. Dif her GC look everything over?
You can drive yourself crazy trying to figure out why some college admissions departments make the decisions they do. It certainly underscores the importance of choosing safety schools that the student is willing to attend if necessary.
@jventola look at your daughters high school profile. Is your daughters scores less than the schools average? That may reflect poorly on your daughter’s application even though she is a fine student. I think something that helped my application was that my ACT scores were 10 points higher than the average in an upper middle class NE town. So now it’s not that your daughters scores are low, they may seem too low for her school.
It could be the SAT. A high GPA usually with below 2000 SAT could be seen as a sign of grade inflation and creates a yellow flag for the admission officer.
OP:
What’s the SAT breakdown? I know it’s 1900+ but what’s CR+M?
Here’s BU’s class of 2018 student profile. Take note that admitted students stat is usually higher. So for admitted students, your daughter’s SAT might be at the 30-40 percentile.
Average Rank in High School Class Top 9%
Average Overall Grade A-
Average SAT Composite 2025
Average ACT 30
Total Applications 54,161
Total Freshmen in the Class 3,700
FWIW, my D was rejected/wait-listed from a bunch of schools last year including her top 2 favorites. A couple weren’t
surprising but the others certainly hurt. We all speculate but in the end, we really don’t know why any well qualified student is rejected. D was crushed at first but her love for number 3 on the list grew and she’s had an incredible first year. She fell in love with a major not offered by her top two favorites. She’s gotten involved with campus specific programs that have been a real joy to her. She’s made connections and had opportunities I really don’t think she’d have had at the other schools. She’s grateful for how things worked out and I’m hoping your D feels the same this time next year when she’s having a fantastic experience at whatever school she chooses.
OPs unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale could have been 3.6, 3.7, 3.8. SAT score is in the 1900s which is below the average. If you are going to try for a school and be below average you have to apply early, early action or early decision. BU wants high stats and can be very selective RD.
Her underweight GPA is 3.8, when I called BU this morning the woman was so nice on the phone she gave me the profile of the students accepted and the average SAT score was 2040 so my DD was below on her SAT’s. Very frustrating but it is what it is at this point. Thank you all for listening or reading my vents! The other thing that all schools mentioned is they track how many times you contact them before even applying. Something I wish I knew earlier.
Yes, they track interest. Visits, interviews even if optional, how many times you view your online portal. I’m glad she has two great options. A 3.8 matches a high 1900. Does not sound like grade inflation.
What is a grade inflation?
@jventola I had a 4.25, took 11 AP classes, had a 2280, had tons of volunteer works, sports, Ap tests, etc and I got rejected from NE too and a bunch of colleges that were a match. I also got rejected from Vandy, Dickinson, Purdue, BU, Brandeis, UCLA, UCSB, UCSD, UCD, Chapman, Cal Poly SLO and Macalaster. I am in shock and I am sorry about your daughter, since I know that it is a very, very stressful position to be in.
Everyone gets a 3.6 or higher GPA
@coffeelife What is your unweighted GPA? Is it lower than 3.5?
My UW GPA was a 3.77, so it isn’t too bad. I got a B here and there, but no Cs.
@coffeelife So sorry, I see what my daughter is going through so I totally feel for you.
Earlier this school year my insightful daughter said that the college admissions process feels sort of like the scene in the Monty Python movie The Holy Grail, where the Knights are waiting to cross the bridge and have to answer random questions in order to pass. Some get to pass and some get blown up into the air. The very random feeling of it all is frustrating.
@jventola Neither Columbia nor Harvard consider applicant interest for admissions purposes. This is something that is reported in The Common Data Set.