Hi Folks, my son is a soon-to-be senior at an honors-only type charter school, OOS. His UW GPA in all honors is only 3.0 but his ACT is 28-30 range (Weighted is 4.0). Looking at the UDub scattergrams, it seems that the school values GPA over test scores, whereby his test scores are squarely in the middle 50% of acceptance but his GPA is too low to be considered.
Should my son apply to UDub?
Thanks!
U Wasthington loves OOS students if they can pay full costs of attendance. However, I would recommend taking ACT one more time, and improve GPA as much as possible.
Thanks!
Also, in case you are thinking about trying to get in state tuition, I would HIGHLY recommend you to NOT do it. One of my friend got in UW 2 years ago and his parents got lawyers to get in state tuition even though they hadn’t paid a penny to Washington.
They didn’t get in state tuition.
That is a solid “middle 50%” ACT, but what you are seeing in the scattergrams is confirmed in the Common Data Set, which states that rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA and application essays are “very important,” and standardized test scores, ECs, talent/ability, first generation, volunteer work and work experience are “important.” Also “considered” in making admissions decisions are character/personal qualities and state residency.
In 2016, Washington’s admission rate was 62.8% for WA residents and 38.8% for nonresidents.
In 2017, the admission rate was around 59% for WA residents and around 41% for nonresidents.
Your son’s course rigor (shown by weighted GPA) and ACT might help offset the unweighted GPA in a holistic review of his application. Essays will be key and may determine the outcome.
Good luck!
Good input, both. Very helpful, thank you. Good data @UWfromCA, as I prefer to select S2’s college apps as much as possible through a data-driven approach.
Interesting @paul2752 about applying for in-state residency after the first year. And good to know for WA. Each state is so different. S1 received a full scholarship and also now has in-state residency in TX after one year, where one needs to plan and invest in property well in advance, but in a state that is straightforward about achievable requirements.