<p>My D just had an interview with the UVA legacy folks down at the University. She was advised not to apply to UVA early decision unless she was in the top 5% of her class, had taken the most rigorous schedule in her school, had a minimum of 650 across the board on her SAT's and no C's (unweighted) on her transcript. She was also advised that legacy Early Decisions (perhaps those from OOS only) are evaualted EXCLUSIVELY on the numbers and Dean Blackburn will not let anyone in without the foregoing minimum cutoffs. Finally, she was advised that neither EC's, development issues, letters of recommendation nor any other facor is even considered in Early Decision. In the face of these MINIMUM thresholds and the likely deferral, I will advise my D not to waste her time on applying ED to my beloved alma mater (Law '81). I think the only person more disappointed than my D was the Law School Alumni Foundation folks who saw their development dollars flushed down the toilet by the foregoing minimum thresholds for ED admittance. If it sounds like sour grapes, so be it. However, if my D was in the top 5% of her class (as opposed to the top 10% which she is) with the foregoing minimums, I would advise her to apply elsewhere. My how the University has changed.</p>
<p>I don't see any reason not to apply ED. If she gets in, she doesn't have to complete any more applications. If she gets deferred or doesn't get in, her situation is no different than applying RD - plus she already has the application done!</p>
<p>I know students who got in ED with lower SAT scores than 650 across the board. They were in-state, but it is my understanding that OOS legacies are treated like in-state applicants.</p>
<p>Here's the rub. She only gets one ED bullet and if it will be wasted at UVA (as it appears it will) she does not get to use it at another school. Also, I was advised that stats for an OOS legacy ED are the same as a RD OOS.</p>
<p>I would suggest applying early decision to her first choice school. What if she applies ED to her second choice and gets in? Then she doesn't even have a chance to apply to her first choice.</p>
<p>Yes, you only get one ED bullet but it isn't wasted if UVA is your first choice. She should apply ED to the school she wants to go to the most since it is binding. Also have her consider EA since most schools allow you to apply to multiple colleges EA.</p>
<p>You're right on Freaked (as usual!). John, if she really wants to go to UVA have her apply ED to UVA, boost her scores between now and the Fall and send the message that she really wants to go there (may help if she is deferred). Its hard to believe that its coming down to between 5 and 10%. I know at least one OOS legacy who got in with good scores (above 650 each) and was not in the top 5%.</p>
<p>I find it hard to believe that they have such strict minimums. I went down to UVA legacy weekend with my mother last year and no such cutoffs were mentioned. Maybe you got an overzealous person?</p>
<p>Sorry folks-- I went to a legacy alumni session in the Fall, went to one with my D last week and had a one on one on one with my D and the head of the legacy alumni folks as well. The message was crystal clear and it was even confirmned from an incredulous law school foundation person to the legacy alumni person. OOS legacy early decision requires top 5% (no exceptions). Now, perhaps regular decision is less stringent (as I suspect it is since 49% of legacies get offers) but it must be a pretty slim percentage for ED.</p>
<p>It would be just as hard, probably even harder, for a non-legacy OOSer to make uva... just because one has legacy doesnt mean that he/she should be an automatic shoo-in to the school. i dont think that the standards that uva has set forth are unreasonable, legacy or no legacy, esp since uva is a top public institute. giving legacy children a huge leeway due to alumni connections would be simply unfair and would undermine the merit system</p>
<p>Strict cut-offs on the one hand for OOS ED admission but guaranteed transfer admission for VA community college graduates who get a 3.4 GPA (must include certain courses as specified by UVA). I don't like either of these. Is admission just becoming a numbers game?</p>