What site is best for College Admission Probability

[RichInPitt]

@vwlizard

While I can’t account for the accuracy yet, I like that CollegeVine takes into account if you are applying test-optional (although how big of a data set can there possibly be for schools that did not have that option prior to Covid?) They also chance by major. DS chances went up when he switched the major he was considering from engineering to bio. I think their safeties and matches seem right on.

Fwiw, I consider the extra steps that CollegeVine goes through to be a case of increasing precision without increasing accuracy.

[Mwfan1921]

@Bill_Marsh

C9-11 is where you’ll find the numbers you’re looking for in terms of GPA and test scores.

Regarding GPAs on the CDS, many schools don’t complete that field. If they do, it’s important to understand how that is calculated as many schools that do fill out that field do NOT re-calculate on a 4.0 scale.

Schools are all over the place on this…some use their own internal GPA recalculation methodology (U Florida, Miami Ohio, Pitt and many more), some take the highest GPA off transcripts (whether weighted or not), etc. To make things even more challenging, since CDS’ are completed by institutional reporting departments, some of those said departments have a GPA recalculation methodology that is different than the one used by AOs in the admissions process Bottom line: Garbage in garbage out…the CDS GPAs are unusable unless one knows exactly how that’s calculated by asking the Inst. Reporting dept.

[Buflea]

Bill_Marsh - fantastic. Thank you very much, I will try to follow step by step your advise.

One more question - what do you call “an athlete” ?

My son is athletic and played sports all high school - played soccer since he was 6 with the local soccer club, then was part of the high school varsity team since he was a freshman. Next year he will be captain. However the team is not remarkable, not bad also - I would say gets mediocre results in the regional competitions.
During winter season my son does wrestling and during spring he does track and field. In general he is naturally athletic and tends to be one of the best in the team, however the high school athletic performance is mediocre.
All these being said, I have never considered him as a possible college athlete. Should I ?

[DadSays]

Athlete in this context means recruited athlete.

[Buflea]

Already started my research based on above recommendation

What means “character / personal qualities” in terms of non-academic admission factor and how do we prove it ?

[Bill_Marsh]

As @DadSays said, it’s recruited athlete. BTW, your son sounds exactly like my grandson as an athlete, so I’ll watch your process closely.

[Bill_Marsh]

@Buflea

Already started my research based on above recommendation

What means “character / personal qualities” in terms of non-academic admission factor and how do we prove it ?

I’ve always wondered about that myself, and to be honest I don’t know. But I have noticed that schools which check that box often also place a priority on essays and references as well. These are the primary documents from which they can ascertain character & personal qualities.

Knowing that the school is looking beyond just high achievement, I ‘d certainly try to write an essay that would speak to character & personal qualities and I would prompt anyone who is writing a reference to do the same. I would also look to other ways that I could I could address that part of their expectations.

The first thing that comes to mind is to schedule an interview. The longer you wait to do that, the more likely you are to find them booked.

Second, I would look at extracurriculars and community service. Hugh achievement in something like scouting might demonstrate what they’re looking for. Volunteering within your community might matter. Taking on extra responsibility by being an officer or holding some other leadership position might also speak to this. So, it’s important how you present extracurriculars and community service.

Third, a legitimate case of overcoming adversity would also speak to these issues. Too many applications are full of contrived essays about overcoming challenges, so I would avoid exaggerating or inventing such cases. But real life often presents situations where any of us has to rise to the challenge to get through it. I reminded of a girl from my community who was diagnosed with brain cancer in high school and went through treatment following the diagnosis. She was a bright, high achieving student but I have to think that her ability to endure all of that is what put her application over the top and git her into Harvard. She later completed medical school and is still a doctor today, 25 years after that brain tumor.

Ultimately this tells you that a school like this is truly doing admissions holistically and is reading everything that goes into the application file. You can submit anything you want even if it’s not requested.

Best of luck with your applications