Applying to In-State Schools from NOVA (UVA, W&M, VT) with an Extenuating Circumstance [Economics/Public Policy major; 3.76 UW, 33 ACT, VA resident]

Chance Me / Match Me
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Demographics

  • US citizen (Asian American)
  • State/Location of residency: Northern Virginia
  • Type of high school: Public

Cost Constraints / Budget: Total cost of attending < $50,000 per year

Intended Major(s): Public Policy, Economics (Pre-Law Track/Advising)

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 3.76
  • Weighted HS GPA: 4.2 (I realize that this is low considering NOVA competitiveness, but I had an extenuating circumstance - lived without stable access to food/shelter/internet, resulting in a large GPA drop during one of my years of high school - explained by my counselor rec, teacher rec, and additional info)
  • Class Rank: N/A - school doesn’t rank
  • ACT/SAT Scores: 33 (31 Math, 34 English, 35 Reading). 1440 SAT (750 R&W, 690 M) - I’m not submitting my SAT

HS coursework

  • English: AP Language/Composition, AP Literature/Composition (in progress)
  • Math: AP Precalculus BC, AP Calculus BC, Multivariable Calculus/Linear Algebra (in progress) I got a C in AP Calculus BC as a result of circumstance mentioned above, and this is probably what I’m the most concerned about!
  • Science: AP Biology, AP Environmental Science (in progress)
  • History and social studies: AP World History, DE VA History (HIST121), DE US History (HIST122), AP Government (in progress)
  • Foreign Language: Korean 1-3 (not my native language)
  • Other academic courses: AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Statistics (in progress), AP Business (in progress)

Awards

  • Technology Student Association National Finalist x2
  • VHSL Speech and Debate State Runner-Up
  • Foreign Language County Certificate of Excellence

Extracurriculars

  • Speech and Debate (Team Captain, NSDA Honor Society Degree of Special Distinction)
  • Superintendent Advisory Council (1 of 4 school delegates)
  • Internship (8 weeks with a local Asian business advocacy organization)
  • Elementary School Debate Program (Founder and mentor, raised $2,000+ for PTA)
  • Church Youth Choir (Choir leader through all 4 years of high school)
  • Schoolhouse SAT R&W Summer Tutor
  • English Honor Society, Business Honor Society, Korean Honor Society

Essays

I really enjoy writing and had a lot of fun writing my personal statement, which is going to UVA and W&M if I’m not wrong. It’s funny but doesn’t sound fake and reflects on my growth without mentioning any of my circumstances (I really didn’t want a drama dump LOL)

LORs
My Korean teacher wrote one of my rec letters. I believe it’s a strong letter because she knew me both before and after my circumstances, and is therefore able to speak on my resilience better than any of my other teachers.

My AP Lang teacher wrote the other letter. While I didn’t know her too well personally, I did got an A in her class and a 5 on the AP exam. She seemed to appreciate that I was constantly engaged in class, but one never really knows!

Schools

University of Virginia → ED

College of William and Mary → ED II (if rejected from UVA)

Virginia Tech → EA

George Mason University → EA

I know that one can never truly “be chanced” for schools on platforms like these but I’d really like to hear how this set of stats appears to someone else!

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any arts courses?

Is this the only course where you got a lower than you want grade?

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Oops I forgot to include the earlier courses! Here is the revised (my school didn’t offer core class APs that could be taken by students under 11th grade):

English: English 9 HN, English 10 HN, AP Lang/Comp, AP Lit/Comp

Math: Algebra 1 HN (Middle School), Geometry HN (Summer Online), Algebra 2 HN, AP Precalculus BC, AP Calculus BC, Multivariable Calculus/Linear Algebra

Science: Biology 9 HN, Chemistry 10 HN, AP Biology, AP Environmental Science

History: World History/Geography HN, AP World, DE US/VA History, AP Government

Other Electives: CS Programming, Advanced Programming HN, Business Law and Management

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No arts courses and this was the only grade that truly brought the GPA down (I have mostly As, 3 Bs, and this C)

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Q: How are you currently performing in these classes?

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Each is a semester course so I’m currently in Multivariable Calculus for this semester at an A- close to an A.

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Make sure to thoroughly review single-variable calculus prior to taking courses like differential equations & analysis in college, should you decide to take them. How did you do on the AP Calculus exam; did you take it?

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I did take it but definitely did not really prepare for it so I wasn’t expecting much. I got a 3 on it which is passing but I’m not self-reporting it through Common App right now

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You probably shouldn’t report it since it’s likely inaccurate. If your Calculus AB subscore was higher, some colleges that accept the subscore may offer you higher credit or placement than for the “3” BC score, FYI.

Q: Is AP Macroeconomics or Microeconomics being offered this year at your HS?

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That is good to know! My AB subscore was a 4. At our school, AP Microeconomics and Macroeconomics are offered as one joint course and you do a semester of each. I took the course last year and got a 5 on AP Macro and a 4 on AP Micro

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You did state this. I completely missed it. Great job with the econ!

I think U.Va. & W&M could defer you to RD wanting more information, specifically your current progress in Multivariable Calculus but also just senior year in general. A recommendation from this instructor could be beneficial. Else, I would incorporate this information in the counselor recommendation. Specifically, the AP Calculus final grade & exam were the most affected due to your extenuating circumstance but you are currently back on track with math. George Mason is a good option for pre-law. You’ll definitely get admitted here & to Virginia Tech.

Schar School Patriot Pre-Law Program

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This is pretty similar to what I was thinking as well! I’ve definitely been looking into Mason’s pre-law programs because this is where I currently want to go to for law school. Thank you for your help!

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Top Feeders to Law School (JD Programs)

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So the good news is - you needn’t worry about law school. Where you go undergrad doesn’t really matter. Just look at Harvard - this year it’s 138 schools. Last year 160+ for classes under 600 kids. Schools like Cal State LA, College of Charleston, Iowa State - you get the picture. I think last year had CNU - a fine school.

Look at top 8 UVA - 124 schools, 300 students - they aren’t showing the schools in 2029 but in 2028, top feeders included Alabama (8), Arizona State (6), etc. So you don’t need the highest level.

Pre law is guidance. You don’t need a pre law program. Many who go to law school never registered. Your GPA, LSAT and what you did on campus will matter. Today, at top schools, you’ll need at least one year off. But I wouldn’t pick a school for pre law.

I would pick a school for budget because law school could be $100K a year - and you need to save - and there are low cost schools beyond these four - if you have that concern.

But if GMU doesn’t fit you - and it doesn’t fit UVA/W&M, I would not go there.

There are many schools you’d get into OOS - also well below $50K but your state has so many great ones including UMW and CNU.

My guess -

No to UVA

If male, yes to W&M. If female, maybe not.

Va Tech is tough but I’d think in - given the major.

GMU - a for sure in. But I wonder if UMW or CNU would fit you better.

So your list is fine but GMU and Va Tech are different than your top two.

If you like W&M, you might consider Miami Ohio (safety) which is like a large W&M. It’ be near $40K for you.

But you’ll be fine with these four -that you have - but make sure you’re happy with GMU or you should find one more - to be safe.

Many work under $50K - from U of SC to UGA to U Del to really many companies up and down the East Coast or further out.

Best of luck.

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Likely based on who’s applying and nothing else. Very regional.

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Sorry to hear about your challenging circumstances. If cost is important to you and your family, you may be able to go to a good college w/ net cost far below $50k – depending on your family’s income & assets – if you look widely and run NPC at well-endowed private colleges.

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I missed that - saw the $50K a year.

OP - how will you afford - even UVA or W&M. Is your situation truly stable now, I hope?

There are colleges out there - mid 20s and up.

Can you pay $50K?

Where did that budget amount come from? If loans then you can’t pay $50K.

Sorry I missed that. Thanks @cc88288 for pointing it out. And you are correct, dependent upon need, there are schools that can offer a generous discount. I’m thinking close to home - Dickinson covers tuition at $125K income or less (assets depending). Of course, it seems like OP is leaning larger.

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That is good to know! I had a feeling the pre-law advising wasn’t super important but wasn’t completely sure!

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Thank you so much! We are doing completely well now and our living situation is fully restored. For more context, it was a sort of housing issue. We were/are living with financial stability but displaced from an actual physical house (so living in hotels, temporary housing) but we have moved back in and are doing well now! The $50,000 is what we would like considering that I have my heart set on going to law school and that will likely be pretty expensive but we could certainly pay more than that and are likely going to use loans.

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Thank you! As I mentioned in the other reply, my circumstance was a sort of housing displacement and so we had to live in hotels and temporary housing. But the issue is fully restored and we are moved back in. Financially, we can afford more than the $50K/year but I personally don’t want to exceed that number because of how expensive law school is going to be. If the number exceeds the 50K, we will likely do loans.