One was involved in youth soccer - refereeing, mentoring, teaching soccer skills etc. Another has a passion for history and politics and through their clubs at school and support for local political causes outside of school - getting involved in lots of specific events with these organizations -ie honoring veterans, getting out the vote etc.
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I found the college process so interesting. By reading through so many college confidential threads, I was really worried about my son getting into VT bc it is his dream school since visiting last year. Everyone said that volunteerism is such a huge factor for VT and my son has none and was accepted. My child applied TO, OOS, 4.4 weighted and was accepted. He had normal EC’s, sports, travel sports and job. But he does have very high rigor. So honestly, I don’t know how they decide who is a yes. It’s fascinating to hear everyone’s stats/stories/opinions.
Congratulations to your son! He must have written impressive Ut Prosim essays! I’ve heard that VT values that the most on their applications. What’s his major?
My D25 was just accepted and we were somewhat surprised. 4.2W GPA and Test Optional. Her essays focused on coaching adapted field hockey, 4 years with Best Buddies and starting a Morgan’s Message chapter at her school. I really do think the Essays tip the scales for some applicants. Because without those essays, she was deferred at UTK, UGA, Auburn and Clemson.
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Congratulations to your daughter! That’s incredible what she has done! Definitely made her stand out above the rest!
My DS had same stats and very similar ECs in addition to a job and captain of soccer team. He spent a lot of time writing meaningful non generic essays. Got into Business and Honors College.
I thought there would be more excitement on the acceptance, but think like others have said it is kinda late and he has moved on 
I work with college counselors who work closely with - and some came directly from - VT. They all say VT does not yield protect. HOWEVER there are too many variables to simply compare stats. The admission by major plays a huge role. In state acceptance rates are lower than out of state. Our counselors don’t recommend looking at Naviance or SCOIR for much for VT because of the major differences.
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DD got Honors College as well. She’s thinking about Tech but has so many she’s waiting on deferred decisions. Will be a long wait to April 1 when UVA decisions come out.
Very interesting! I did notice a higher rate of acceptance for OOS versus in-state. Aside from engineering majors, which majors are more competitive at VT?
Meals on Wheels
Tutoring elementary school kids
Toy drives
Clothing drives
Packing backpacks for children in need
The Sandwich Project-making and packing lunches for kids in need for the weekend
He also got certified to be a lifeguard and works part-time
How bored are you? VT is super transparent and publishes acceptance rate by major - (and by in or OOS, gender, etc.) here - https://udc.vt.edu/irdata/data/students/admission/index#college
Some kids will apply to a major that they think is less selective with the intent of transferring to business or engineering. They should be warned that those are considered restricted majors and it’s not as simple as other changes. There are often disappointed kids when they realize how it’s not easy or even possible in some scenarios.
Replying to myself here - kids (and parents) do like to try and game the system, which is likely what happened with the Real Estate major. One year, 38 kids applied and all were accepted (100%!). Next year, 143 applied and the acceptance rate was 49%.
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Oh wow that’s a lot of good data! I haven’t seen that! Just curious about competitive majors and this link helps with that. Thanks! My son will be applying next year, and he’s interested in a History/English major. Not interested in STEM.
My OOS son was happy to be accepted for Biology. High rigor (13 APs), 33 ACT, top 5% of the class, 4.0 UW, internationally competitive sport, good service. His Hokie sister will be a senior next year (engineering), so they’d have a year of overlap unless she stays for a Masters. It’s his top choice at the moment, but we’ll be attending admitted student days at both his State’s flagship and land grant institutions, and then he’s just got 1 more application to wait on, though I suspect he’s likely to choose VT even if that one comes through.
Want to reiterate what a previous poster said - VT will truly loop parents out of nearly everything very early. You’ll get an email when the tuition bill is available, but that’s about it. My kids are pretty on top of things, but if you have one who doesn’t pay attention to their emails, drill into them that they need to start reading everything this summer or they will miss important things like placement tests for math/chemistry, advising meetings, course sign up, housing selection, and most importantly, season ticket sales for football, lol!
I’ll also reiterate what I posted months ago and maybe sheds some light on VT admissions process: at the campus tour information session, they specifically said that they do not consider GPA but rather rigor of courses but they do expect “mostly As and Bs” and that yes, those UtProsim essays are extremely important.
My S25, OOS was accepted for Engineering. While he did have a rigorous course load, his wGPA was only a 3.85.
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what is the major for your son?
Naviance is ONLY as good as the data the students put in… students need to update it to be helpful to others. And so many other variables… ED, Major. Test/TO, Pathway (like 2+2 at Penn State)… so in the end Naviance is ok, not great, but I guess a good starting point. AND I also feel that Naviance is way behind on the acceptance criteria and stats… they need to update much of this info. It’s out dated throughout!
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Has anyone had access to sign the housing contract yet? If so, how, where?
Just adding my thoughts here regarding yield protection. To be clear- I have no idea if VT yield protects or not.
S25 high stats OOS kid was admitted. However he was the only one among his friends, who are all equally smart kids with high stats, who got in. Everyone else was waitlisted. We had heard that VT emphasizes service and so he spent a lot of time crafting his UT Prosim essays. I obviously have no idea whether or not his friends did the same.
Couple of years ago our older kid whose stats were good but not exceptional was also admitted to VT - he ended up going elsewhere. He too emphasized his volunteering efforts in his essays.
From my perspective I think the essays made all the difference. I really do believe VT prioritizes service over stats. Admittedly it’s a small sample size but it seems to have worked for my kids.
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OOS S23 and S25 accepted to UVA an VT … while higher stats and lots of ec’s and other stuff… part of me feels like they know we’re full pay and therefore an easier accept.
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