Chance me for UVA ED in-state! [VA resident, 3.96 GPA, 1480 SAT, political science, English]

Chance Me / Match Me
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Demographics

  • US domestic
  • State/Location of residency: Virginia
  • Type of high school (or current college for transfers): Large, semi competitive public
  • Other special factors: legacy (but they don’t actually count that)

Cost Constraints / Budget: Not sure on specific budget but I’m hoping to go in state for a reason!

Intended Major(s): Political science, English

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 3.96
  • Weighted HS GPA: 4.54 (5.0 scale)
  • Class Rank: School doesn’t rank
  • ACT/SAT Scores: 1480 SAT (780 R&W/700 Math)

List your HS coursework

(Indicate advanced level, such as AP, IB, AICE, A-level, or college, courses as well as specifics in each subject)

  • English: English 9 & 10 (required by school in 9th/10th grade), AP Lang, AP Lit
  • Math: Algebra 2, AP Precalculus, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC
  • Science: Biology, Chemistry, AP Biology (took virtually), AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2
  • History and social studies: AP Human Geography, AP World History, AP US History, AP Government
  • Language other than English: French 1 & 2 (middle school), 3, 4, & AP (high school)
  • Visual or performing arts: Orchestra (since 5th grade)
  • Other academic courses: Psychology, AP Psychology, Newspaper

Awards

AP Scholar with Distinction

NSDA Honor Society, Degree of Honor

National Honor Society Officer

National Merit Commended Scholar

College Board School Recognition Award

Extracurriculars
Young Democrats (co-founder and co-President)

Debate (Public Forum Captain)

Newspaper (co-Editor-in-Chief)

String Ensemble (highest level orchestra at my school)

Varsity Field Hockey

Young Feminists Club (co-President)

Habitat for Humanity Club (co-President, local Youth Leadership Team member)

Internship at local university (digitizing archived copies of school newspaper dating back to the 1970s)

ESL Peer Tutor

Cafe Manager at pool snack bar (summer job)

Essays/LORs/Other

Common App Essay: I’m proud of this. Writing is definitely one of my strengths. I didn’t necessarily try to sell myself or talk up any achievements or specific academic/leadership skills I possess, which I understand could be untraditional. However, I felt that doing so would be inauthentic to me, and isn’t the whole point to be as authentic as you can? I kind of philosophized/soul-searched on my essay.

LOR #1 (APUSH teacher): I think this one was very good. He’s known for writing stellar recommendations and I absolutely loved his class (and him)! He’s also the sponsor for Young Democrats, which is another good angle.

LOR #2 (AP Lang teacher): I had this teacher for both English 10 and AP Lang. I honestly didn’t love his class but I really like him as a person. English is definitely a strength of mine and I think he saw that. Probably not the strongest recommendation ever but solid.

Schools

UVA (ED)

William and Mary (RD)

Virginia Tech (EA)

Princeton (REA)

UNC (EA)

Wake Forest (RD)

JMU (RD)

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I think you have a chance at all. Are you full pay at all?

JMU and Va Tech are safe IMHO. I’d imagine W&M is likely and I expect you’ll get into UVA and this will all be over.

UNC is unpredictable OOS. I’d expect a no to Princeton - sorry. Think the SAT is too low.

Wake - likely if full pay. If not, I dunno. They love full pay.

this is an interesting comment. Why ? Unless you have need, you chose two $90k schools and a $65k school where you can go tuition, room, and board at other flagships for $25k-ish or less so far less than UVA in state..

SO if you don’t get into UVA or W&M and decide against the other in-states, you likely go up whereas cheaper existed elsewhere.

Many don’t realize they can sometime go OOS for less. Your stats are wonderful which is why it’s possible.

Nonetheless I like your odds at UVA and to end your college search early.

Best of luck.

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Wait, you can’t ED to UVA and also REA to Princeton. Is this a mistake? An REA means you can not apply anywhere ED.

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If I’m reading this from P’s website correctly, I think you can:

Princeton University’s single-choice early action program is a nonbinding process. If admitted, you have until May 1 to notify us about your decision to matriculate. If you apply single-choice early action on Nov. 1, you may not apply to an early program at any other private college or university within the United States.

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You can apply Early Action to a public university, but not Early Decision. REA means you can not apply anywhere else with a binding decision.

From Princeton’s Website:

Princeton University’s single-choice early action program is a nonbinding process. You may not apply to an early program at any other private college or university. However, please note the following:

  • You may apply early to any public institution or service academy, as long as the decision is nonbinding.

  • You may apply early to any international institution, as long as the decision is nonbinding.

  • You may apply early to any college or university with a nonbinding rolling admission process.

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Ahhh - I didn’t read deep enough or was on a different page.

OK - then yeah, that’s an issue.

How does OP handle? Does the student inform P they made an error and need to change to RD?

To me, that would make sense. They’d likely appreciate the honesty (I’m sure this happens more than we think) and I don’t think Princeton is likely anyway - although that’s simply a guess.

And clearly UVA is the top choice.

If OP gets into UVA and has to withdraw P, in theory, I suppose, they can report the student….or am I missing something?

Thoughts?

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That’s probably what I would counsel OP to do, but it’s up to them. Time is getting short to change either Princeton REA or UVA ED.

Yep, definitely a risk. UVA could rescind an ED admission if they find out, and vice verse.
I would also urge OP and their parents to not tell ANYONE they did this. Not classmates. Not parents’ friends. No one. Assume someone WILL call the schools and tell them. The outcome in that case would be both applications pulled with no chance to explain.

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Thank you all so much for pointing this out. Definitely a huge mistake on my part, I didn’t read the Princeton REA rules closely enough! I will be rescinding my Princeton application right now (it was my huge stretch school anyways). I absolutely didn’t mean to try to cheat the system or deceive any of these schools in any way! Thank you all again!

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You can ask Princeton if they can switch you to RD rather than rescind. Unless they say it is too late, then you will need to withdraw.

Also, do you have a 2nd choice after UVA? I think you have a good chance at UVA but you could ED2 to William & Mary if you get denied from UVA ED1. Good luck to you.

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I think you have a very good shot at UVA! I’d give it 75%…

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I wonder how many get confused. I’m sure there’s an SCEA (it’s not REA) agreement or further description like @librarymom3 pointed out to me - but on the initial sketch, here’s the description from Princeton, which is why I thought OP was ok - as it only covers early private. I wonder why they wouldn’t say any early decision period.

I’m guessing OP is far from the only to make this mistake.

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You have to read the entire page, later on the page there is this info:

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I do agree Pton could be more clear at the top of the page and in the Common App. With that said, I don’t think many students are making this mistake.

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