So don't even bother applying cause I have no chance?

redbeard
Fri, 04 Nov 2005 22:19:37 +0000

Hi Ritchie,

Well, I agree that your scores are low.

There are a few considerations, however. Is your HS particularly tough? Is it a private school? Does it send a lot of kids to UVa? (Two years ago, a newspaper article talked about admitting a kid with lower scores because she was the first person to apply to UVa from her town.)

Be careful with the choral competition thing. There are several choral groups at UVa: Glee Club (oldest), University Singers (largest), VA Women’s Chorus, Academic Village People, Virginia Gentlemen, etc. My S is in one of these, but he has never mentioned competitions. Road trips, yes, but competitions, no. Mention your singing, but don’t slant it toward “winning” competitions.

By all means, you should apply. Emphasize the importance of that community service, and how you want to contribute to society in similar ways at UVa. You have a strong schedule with seven AP classes.It shows you can handle UVa academically.

If I told you you had a 30% chance of getting in, it’s still worth the effort, right? Do that at five similar colleges, and you might get lucky!