Chance me for WashU ED1 2024?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

No one from my (small, suburban, wealthy and very white) high school has gotten in previously even though we have a high percentage of students attending T20s each year… any chance?

Intended BME major, not premed.

GPA: my school uses a 100 pt scale, 94 UW/ 101 W, fairly consistent throughout all 4 years.
ACT: 35 (36 for english/reading/science, 33 on math)
SAT: 1550 (760 RW and 790 M)
APs/IBs: Statistics (5), World History (4), Biology (5), IB Math SL (6)
This year I will also be taking AP and IB SL Italian, IB Bio HL, AP Calc AB, AP Lit/Comp, and AP Government. Expecting 5s on all of them

Senior year course load is the AP classes above plus a IB Bio HL Yr 2 and regular level physics class.

ECs: NHS, Math, Langauge, Science Honor Societies, President/Treasurer of FRC Robotics Team and Ski Club. Really tried to highlight my intense involvement in robotics over the years, as well as significant family responsibilities caring for special needs siblings (divorced parents)
Also have a part time school year (10 hrs/wk) and full time over the summer job, in addition to paid tutoring about 5 hrs/wk

Rec Letters: all 10/10. My counselor and I have a very close relationship, had my bio teacher write a letter; I had the highest grades in her class and put in a lot of effort (strong academic viewpoint), my english teacher who I now have for the second year wrote more of a personality based essay.

Common app essay: 10/10 by all who read it, also chose a very unique topic
my only slight concern would be with the washu supplement as I’m not sure if I answered it thoroughly enough.

Possible hooks: first generation american, (white female) but non native english speaker

since they are not need-blind I was also wondering if my high financial aid need would affect their decision (very different financials than most of those in my area)

Thank you!!

2

I’m actually surprised that kids from your High School weren’t accepted. I would hazard, though, that it’s because that most applied to WashU as an alternative, rather than as their first choice/ED. An increasing proportion of WashU’s class is made up of ED kids, so if isn’t a popular first choice at your school, few would get in.

You’re strong academically, and seem to have good ECs. Your stats are at the high end of their mid-50%, which is good. So, while it’s a reach to anybody, you’re competitive, and applying ED should help. However, being first generation in the USA is not a hook - only first generation at college is a hook.

If WashU is your first choice college, than go for it.

3

Thank you!

4

Something I forgot to mention is that I’m from NY so I only visited campus once, and interviews weren’t offered on that day because it was a special program (engineering) day. Also emailed the admissions officer for my area a few times (she didn’t visit my school this year, but we spoke last year), and participated in their webinars/local info meetings. Seems they’re very big on DI.

5

You might be offered an alumni interview if there are representatives in your area. Good luck!