It also matters how well the person handles rejection. If they are a “well, I tried” type of person, go and apply. Another good thing to do is don’t tell anyone that you applied at reach schools. That way you don’t have people asking if you got in.
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TBH I find this transcript frustrating/annoying but - to be fair - it’s exactly what I have heard from a half dozen other selective school AOs. It really doesn’t say much IMO. Sorry if that sounds cranky! I guess my opinion is that most schools choose not to share specific GPA information that most students and parents would love to know…that’s fine I guess. But they spend a lot of time talking in circles about it without actually offering anything useful.
Wow that does sound cranky. Sorry not sorry.
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totally…I think it is gross universities don’t share how they recalculate (or not) when posting averages/ranges.
I love Umass for providing so much data on their site - how they calc GPA and what are averages, by school. At least you can do apples to apples for that piece of puzzle. (I like UCs for explaining calculations too). My kid went to a university tour this week and at Info session (but not on their website) they listed average accepted grade ranges by school (though they did on 100 scale, not GPA scale and didn’t mention weighting, sigh). I have been to other info sessions where they mention published ranges on web are indeed weighted (not unwieghted as I bet people assume), but on what scale? I have a kid whose GPA, depending on various published scale and what you count (fine arts or not) has anywhere from a 3.2-3.9 which ENORMOUS difference.
What Bucknell says is more than most, though, and some people on this board (and on many on facebook) seem to have NO idea that unweighted GPA as printed on a transcript isn’t end all be all (which that transcript confirms), which is why I posted, really.
The school has around a 30% acceptance rate. When I type my kid’s stats into College Vine, they have a 17% chance. . . so, probably not worth a try?
collegevine is not known for its accuracy
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I wouldn’t go with College Vine and anything else.
Again, as long as you have the affordable and desirable safety, the rest of the list doesn’t matter.
Every year a student who 100% of posters say had no shot of getting in - like a 3.2 and 1300 - says they got into an Ivy, etc. Or rejected at BU but in at MIT. Or in at Berkeley but rejected SDSU.
If a student wants to apply to a school, go ahead - you can chance but it doesn’t matter - because you can only go to one school. Find that most important one - that affordable and desirable safety (or two).
If you want to play the lottery with the rest, go ahead!!!
If College Vine says no chance but your kid wants to apply - and they’ve put forth their best 3 year effort and worked hard on the app, let 'em try.
The worst that can happen - a rejection - not a big deal at all - and kudos for the effort.
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Don’t think essays in and of themselves have that much of an effect on the overall admissions decision, especially in this day of AI.
I have nothing but anecdotal evidence, but I don’t believe this at all. I am convinced essays carried my daughter’s applications.
Sure, some may use AI, I am equally sure it is possible a lot of applicants do the same thing with their ECs.
I agree. I’m pretty sure my daughter’s essays helped her get into a few schools where she might not otherwise have been admitted. Yes, AI will increasingly be a problem, but AOs will know the difference, just like they’re generally able to pick out overly coached essays.
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Rigor, grades, EC’s and standardized test scores (if considered/allowed/sent) are more important to colleges. Certainly writing skills are too, but the essay will not be the primary factor driving an admission. Your earlier post said you thought essays had a huge impact. While superb, interesting, compelling, clever essays can certainly help, I don’t think the Impact of the essay itself is “huge”. And some essays can be detrimental.
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SAT if allowed…
Rigor, grades, ECs, those are all susceptible to the same issues as faced by essays, except essays provide a window into the person themself.
I am willing to bet, ECs are manipulated more than essays…by far. Rigor? Sure, but that is dependent on the school and what they offer. Grades, yes, but grade inflation.
Some essays can be detrimental, yes, agreed, probably a lot of them.
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I clarified my comment. Your first comment was that you thought the essay had a huge impact. IMO it isn’t huge. It’s a factor. Not the primary factor. And some can hurt. No need to be dismissive of the other factors that schools strongly consider.
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I just think that rigor and stats among applicants are all outstanding and seem to be equal, at least at the UC California Universities. I believe the essays are truly the deciding factor pushing the applicant one direction or the other.
Rigor is looked at based on what is offered at a school. And stats across students aren’t equal. Debating is not permitted here. Essays are important, but not the primary factor. Moving on.
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