fact or myth about top 5 students in every FX county HS
An administrator and UVA alum told me that UVA accepted the top 5 students from every Fairfax County HS (Northern VA) automatically. Has anyone heard anything about this???
There's some truth to that statement, but the way it's phrased it comes off as a myth. There is no formal plan to admit the top five students from Fairfax county or any other county. That sounds typical of the bizarre myths cooked up by PTA moms. However, a student in the top five in his class at a Fairfax County school would have an outstanding shot at UVA, to the point where he'd be considered a near certain admit.
And for future reference: never pay any attention to what administrators say. They tend to only perpetuate PTA mom mythology.
FCPS does not rank (however, the top 5-15 magically "know" their rank)...instead, they report what percentage the student is in (top 5%, top 10%, top 15%, top 25%, top 50%, top 75%) so when i graduated i knew that i was in the top 15%, but i didnt know anything else. I think they unofficially report the ranks of the top 5-15 students to the colleges, but not on an actual form, but probably in a letter from the counseler.
As a student from good ole FCPS, FFX schools are bittersweet: the grading sucks, its hard as hell to get straight As (very possible for all As and B+s), people around you are either in a million APs or are failing regular classes, and those who are getting into the top schools are doing a million ECs and taking insane class schedules (as a 2-sport varsity athlete, band, key club officer, outside job, 5 APs senior year, 2 junior/1 sophmore year, ect ect, trust me, i know). everyone's battling to be the best, and it sucks sometimes. at the same time, i got to college (VT) and feel wayyyy more prepared than others i see around me from other parts of VA, and i actually miss NoVa life.
Keep in mind, we don't consider ourselves "elite", but we do live a very different lifestyle than the rest of VA (just look at the job/housing market), and i think its our peers that label us as "elite". we're much more driven, as NoVa is very fast-paced, period, and thus i think colleges see that. but, i know VT has a quota for FFX kids, and i think UVA and W&M do too, so thats a killer.
i know FCPS, idunno about private schools. there are definently some private schools that are simply because kids screw off in public school, but most NoVa private schools (Nysmith, Madiera, Flint Hill, Georgetown Prep, Gonzaga, ect) are graduating kids who are going to schools that are above even UVA.
Oh and TJ, cant forget about TJ
