Looking at those stats I would not assume that it means they have no access/way to take the tests. I think this is true for a subset of them, absolutely. Also late Sept and beyond tests weren’t likely to have scores by 10/15. My S21 got ACT on Sept 12 and the scores were released Sept 28, I sent them immediately so they’d get there by 10/15. He had an option through his HS to take another ACT/SAT in October but the score wouldn’t have been back in time for UGA or some of the other schools so we just went with the first one and hoped they would understand it was a one and done. Plus at that point it had been so much studying to have cancelled tests, etc he was completely done with studying for that stupid test.
@UTSquared I thought the same. But perhaps, as these are averages, there is a large middle swath of GPAs in common across both groups, and at the high end of the TO group, Graves would expect to see good test scores. I agree with @rbc2018 that it does beg the question whether a large number of the lower TO group chose not to report a lower score. I know a lot of kids in prior years who had to test multiple times to get a score (or super score) above 32; I’ll bet we see a good number of those go TO this year, due to inability to test 4 or 5 times.
my S21 got a 32, so we submitted it. I figured with only taking it once it was still a good score.
@skkm0906 That is a great score! Especially considering the chaos that these kids are living through. My gut tells me that if my D21 took her April ACT, she would have been very successful. She did pretty well on Math, English, and Reading but hadn’t mastered Science by the Feb test, and that grade pulled her composite down by a few points. After having 3 tests canceled, she lost momentum, and by the time she tested in Oct, she improved in Science (b/c she focused on it) but was rusty in the other areas. She didn’t achieve her goal on the composite, but it did help with her super score. I’m hoping for some good news for this OOS student, but I don’t have high expectations based on everything I’m reading.
I’m not sure if anyone knows, but if these borderline students whose applications they could not get to for tomorrow’s decisions are deferred to RD, does that mean they are no longer eligible for a merit scholarship?
@H0llyw00d That’s a good question. I would post the question here - Dr. Graves seems to be really responsive in answering questions: https://www.admissions.uga.edu/blog/2021-ea-decisions-suggestions/
@nanosec Done!
@H0llyw00d - Graves’ last blog post says: Due to the large increase in applications, initial scholarship and Honors offers will be released in early December, but know that we will reviewing students for scholarships through early April, and Honors will open their application in early December.
@H0llyw00d I believe Georgia only looks at the English and Math subscores for the ACT, so hopefully your daughter is in good shape!
That would be great for my son!
@rbc2018 English score was great, and the math score was pretty good. The combination of those two scores is the same super score as the two complete ACT’s she submitted for evaluation. These are such stressful times. I wish for the best for all of our kids.
@nanosec David Graves replied to my post (and is in line with what @kdzmom posted.
“All applicants were given an academic review. Based on the academic review, a large group of students also had a whole student review, while others (overall not as strong academically in a broad sense) were deferred until later when we have more time to read the files in detail. We will be awarding scholarships through March, and this will include all admitted students from all decision dates.”
Agree and me too . . . Almost a .2 difference (which is significant) between those with test scores and those without. And with a middle ACT of 32 (97th percentile), around half of those with an ACT had a higher score than 32. Sounds to me like the test score group comes out stronger as a whole. . .
My son took the ACT on Oct 6th and requested scores be sent directly to UGA and some others. They got there in time to be considered (they accept scores thru late October for October tests). He had had multiple tests cancelled as well. We rolled the dice in sending them unseen but his math and english ended up being super strong so glad we did.
How much weight do you think AP classes have regarding a decision? I am worried as on the blog it says the average number for those who applied is 8 AP classes, which seems high to me. I will have 7 AP and 19 honors classes at the end of senior year, with around a 4.22 UGA GPA and 35 ACT.
I think it honestly depends on the rigor of the school in general. Some schools don’t offer as many AP classes or students need approval to get into them. I think if your school is known to have high rigor it isn’t a hard and fast cutpoint. Very few if any kids from my son’s high school have 8 APs and we always have students who are admitted to UGA.
Your AP classes are reflected in your UGA GPA. I would be very confident of an admit assuming you calculated your UGA correctly using only core classes.
There was an article from a few years back saying that UNC-Chapel Hill only really looked for 5 AP classes, and that they didn’t have much evidence that more than 5 produced appreciably better students. I have since heard from guidance counselors that 8 AP’s is what UNC looks for in rigor. TIFWIW
http://endeavors.unc.edu/more_ap_classes_may_not_be_better
I’d also agree that it depends on the high school, there are some kids on CC who are taking twice the amount of AP’s that are realistically possible at my kid’s high school.
@UTSquared just out of curiosity, is your username a Texas reference? (as opposed to Tennessee) If so, Hook 'em 
@UTSquared UNC is my top choice with UGA a close second, so thanks for that data! Also, sending good luck to everyone for tomorrow!
It is, Hook 'em! With another degree from the other UT, Tennessee