<p>My daughter is applying to Villanova w/ a very strong transcript ~ 4.0ish (weighted GPA) from a very rigorous prep school in PA. She has awesome EC's and her counselor recommendation will be glowing... however, her SATs are mediocre, 580 V, 660 M and 680 W.</p>
<p>She does have an interesting legacy factor that should go in her favor. Her great grandfather graduated from Villanova in the early 1900's w/ an engineering degree (class size only 18 men). Since then she has several uncles and her grandfather who are all alums. </p>
<p>My question is, will her legacy status be enough to overcome so-so SATs? Also, would it be OK for her to highlight this interesting legacy fact in a cover letter to the school, along with her resume.</p>
<p>Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!</p>
<p>Your D's stats look the same as my D's except for the legacy. It will definitely seal the deal. Her SAT's were similar to my D's and she still got in. She's a sophomore and loving every minute she's there. Feel free to ask any questions. Good Luck!!!</p>
<p>Mediocre? So-so? Think that's pretty harsh way to describe your daughter's scores. They may not be all she or you hoped, but they're far from average.</p>
<p>I just looked it up. According to the College Board only a quarter of the students who took the SAT got a higher score than your daughter's critical reading score; only 9% got a higher math score; and just 6% got a higher writing score. The verbal (critical reading) score is what's disappointing to you, but even it is above average and the other two scores certainly don't deserve the "mediocre" label. The scores may be at the lower range of the middle 50% of students admitted to Villanova, but they're competitive and the grades make up for a lot. </p>
<p>Beyond that, a great-grandfather and a grandfather as alums?! Money in the bank in the admissions office, I would think. If you have a graduation photo of one or both, I wouldn't hesitate to Photoshop them, blow them up, and include them in the application. Will definitely make an impression on the admissions committee (and I say that as someone who many years ago worked as an admissions officer).</p>
<p>kaleigh, those SAT's scores are very good. It is well known that the cream of the crop come here to collegeconfidential. I know many people that would have LOVED to have 660M and even 580V.</p>
<p>I think your D has a very good chance. </p>
<p>Good luck with the college app process :) ...</p>
<p>According to Princeton Review, the middle 50% for CR is 570 - 670 so she is toward the bottom of that, and 610 - 700 for Math. So...based solely on her test scores, i would say it is close. I have no idea if legacy counts, but I would suspect that the closer the relationship and time the better. Not sure great grandfather matters...but what do I know!!! In any event, good luck! My daughter was admitted today and it was a huge weight off her shoulders in the whole process.</p>
<p>No, she received a letter regarding the Presidential Scholarship. Not "official" notification of admission, but clearly acknowledging that she is being admitted. My understanding is that the notification will be on Novasis.</p>