Chance My DD! Texas Resident/ Small High School/ Val/ Great ECs/ SAT needs to come up for Stanford, Vandy, Duke, NYU

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Mom here posting for my DD. She is a junior in a small high school. Despite size, lots of AP and DC classes offered. Probably starting a little late to the game in prepping for the type of school she is interested in. First stab at SAT wasn’t great, but she is studying for the March exam

Demographics

  • State/Location of residency: Texas
  • Type of high school : Public, small

Cost Constraints / Budget
N/A

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Weighted HS GPA: 106.5
  • 1/78
  • SAT Scores: 1310

List your HS coursework

  • English: English I Honors, English II Honors, DC English
  • Math: Algebra I Honors, Geometry Honors, Algebra II Honors, Precalculus
  • Science: Biology I Honors, Physics Honors, AP Honors,
  • History and social studies: History I Honors, History II Honors, DC History
  • Language other than English: Spanish I Honors, Spanish II Honors, Spanish III Honors

Awards/Leadership

  • President of Class every year
  • College Board National Recognition

Extracurriculars

  • Athlete in multiple sports, advance to Regional Level
  • Mock Trial
  • Created and founded non-profit
  • travel faith-based mission work–3 years

Schools–missed the early admission boat? Haven’t applied to any

Advice/questions/criticism–all are appreciated and considered. Thanks in advance!

  • Assured (100% chance of admission and affordability):
  • Extremely Likely:
  • Likely:
  • Toss-up:
  • Lower Probability:
  • Low Probability:
2

No deadline has passed so you are not late !!

N/on cost means you’re ok at $380-400k correct ? Just want to ensure because you didn’t say none.

Pre Calc is through 12th grade - correct ?

What’s the last science - just says AP Honors ?

She’s a Junior so how did you miss the early admissions boat ? She’s ten months from applying.

Any idea on major ?

3

Hello! So, I am writing from a place of total admitted ignorance. First question–early admissions–when is that? I was wondering if there were super juniors getting in already??

That is a cost I would rather see lower, but it would not be a deal-breaker.

Pre Cal is this year and next year she would take AP Calculus

The science she is taking this year is Anatomy-Physiology. I realize that looked like Advanced Placement!

A major is tough. She is drawing to biology for now. But she is not one who knows exactly what she wants to do at this stage.

Thank you and forgive the roughness of this post. I debated putting it out there yet. But this site is a resource. I learned a lot when we did this with my son, so I am grateful for the same with this child. He was much easier, though–in-state/one school preference/happily still there 3 years later!

1 Like
4

Early admissions means you apply earlier - let’s say by Nov 15. And find out earlier - let’s say January.

Some schools have Early Decision. This means, if you apply and get in, you are bound.

So Duke, if you are full pay, will cost $400k. Right now tuition, dorm and food is $89k a year - so no books or transport of Friday nights out. So let’s say $100k per over 4 years.

If you apply early decision, that means you are agreeing to enroll there and you remove apps at other schools.

I would say she won’t get into any of the four you listed. The SAT is too low. It needs to be 1500+, maybe a tad lower for NYU is ok.

You have two lab science. I don’t believe anatomy is one. You will need three for top schools - so chem or env science.

So in state, you have UT auto admissions and more. Where Duke is $89k, UT will be $60k plus a year less - x 4.

Besides a big name, what does your daughter seek in a school. Midsize , large ? Urban or rural ? Greek life ?

I’d suggest if you don’t know that you pick schools of different sizes and environments near home and walk the campuses, see how they feel.

In the meantime, as a parent, full this out. See if you will qualify for need aid.

Bio typically is not a well paid major so you may have graduate school too - which costs more.

Good luck.

https://npc.collegeboard.org/app/duke

5

Is the school well-known? My concern is that the SAT will telegraph a lack of rigor…

2 Likes
6

Thank you! This is the knowledge that I am so grateful for on here. She seeks diversity, a pretty campus and an exciting/interesting campus life. Not greek though.

I don’t know how much she will be able to get her SAT up. She did over 100 points better on PSAT, so I am hoping this last test was a one-off. But its a big ask to get it to 1500

7

Yes. Me, too!

8

A Texas resident ranked 1/78 should be assured admission to all Texas public universities, although some majors at some campuses may not be assured. Will a selection of Texas public universities be on the list?

7 Likes
9

Oh for sure! Texas A&M is definitely be high on the list

10

I agree. Any weather preference ? Think about the budget thing.

You say you could spend $100k a year but don’t want to.

Why not a Texas public. Or a school like Trinity ?
I just saw A&M. It will happen. Lots of out of state publics will want her.

And then midsize schools like the ones noted above - whether a Pitt, Miami of Ohio, Collehe of Charleston, U Denver, U Tulsa, and more.

If she applies tippy top, where she is able she might go test optional but those schools have majority test takers.

The budget is truly the first thing you have to decide.

And full out the Duke net price calculator I linked above.

11

Weather is a factor, too!!

I certainly would prefer a less expensive option. I didn’t think she would qualify for scholarships at any of these schools.

12

Weather warm, weather cold ? Does she want to stay in Texas or escape ? East, Erst ?

Ok - if you won’t get need aid, then you can scratch your entire original list. Merit is technically possible at Vandy but will be a hard get.

13

If you would like to do some prelimary research on affordability, this site can be especially convenient:

If you explore the site, you will see that Stanford, Duke and Vanderbilt appear as participating schools.

14

Has the high school ever sent students to these? The college counseor at your d’s hs can best advise about any possibility of admission to these.

What about Baylor? Or SMU?
Edit - But you said not greek
Edit- or what about Rice?

Are health sciences/ patient care of interest?

I think it may be difficult to find more affordable options than your in state public universities.

She has fine leadership experience.
Have you heard of the Stamps scholarship?
https://www.stampsscholars.org/

Sounds like a great scholar, athlete and leader. Any interest in a military academy or ROTC?

Notre Dame? Or an easier admit, University of Dayton. But, maybe weather in midwest is not of interest.

Still, imo Jesuit or other religious colleges will value her well rounded accomplishments.

1 Like
15

Anatomy is a lab science at our high school…so check yours.

Unless you feel you can pay the costs to attend without taking parent loans (that’s my opinion). Some families DO pay the full cost for their kids to attend college, and if that is your family decision, really it’s a wonderful gift to your child.

Please use the Net Price Calculators in the college websites…not MyIntuition which is sometimes just not accurate. Right now, the NPCs are set for students entering college in fall 2025, and that is not your daughter…so any results should be viewed as an estimate only. And yes, financial aid awarding and calculations at colleges DO change. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the financial aid forms use 2024 tax return and tax year info…except for assets which are reported the day you file the forms. So when you do the NPC, use 2024 info.

Your daughter is in great shape. Assuming she keeps her class ranking, she is an auto admit at some Texas colleges, so she knows she will be going to college!

It’s fine to apply to some reach schools…and if they are test optional, it’s fine to apply TO. Just remember, they are reaches, and she shouldn’t expect an acceptance to be automatic.

Check about lab sciences at the high school. Many colleges recommend or require three lab sciences…so heck to be sure she has this.

ETA…when late summer comes, have her check her college application list. I would suggest she apply as early as possible to any colleges with rolling admissions, and to her early action colleges (not early decision…that’s binding…early action isn’t). That way she will have some early acceptances which so makes senior year a nice one.

2 Likes
16

The OP may want to be aware that MyIntuition was developed by Wellesley College to enhance access to financial information; Wellesley was quicky joined by dozens of participating schools; and that the use of MyIntuition does not preclude the associated use of Net Price Calculators. Moreover, several posters on CC have commented on the ultimate inaccuracy of NPCs.

18

You are fortunate to be open to all price points! Of course everyone would love to pay as little as possible, but when you can and are willing to pay for your child’s education, that is the best gift of all! Good luck!

1 Like
19

Your DD sounds great! But with the info/stats provided here, getting into Stanford, Duke, Vanderbilt, or NYU seems very unlikely (they are all single digit admit rates).

There are just too many qualified kids out there, some with ridiculously amazing qualifications. Luckily there are a boatload of other options and poster have provided some good ones.

Don’t get caught up in the hype of a “name”. Focus on fit.

2 Likes
20

Just clarifying given the kind of questions asked - may be obvious but the second part is only if accepted.

3 Likes