<p>Applying RD to Olin (2nd Option Arts & Sciences)
GPA Weighted - 4.30; GPA Unweighted - 3.60 (Freshman year was pretty bad, last 3 semesters, from 2nd semester sophomore - 2nd semester junior have been 3.8+ UW)
ACT - 34 - 32 English 36 Math 31 Reading 36 Science</p>
<p>APs: Microeconomics - 5, Macroeconomics - 5, Calculus AB - 5, European History - 4
Current APs: Spanish IV, Calculus BC, Physics B, U.S. Government
Other Current Courses: H Statistics, H Literature Seminar - Shakespeare, H Introduction to Music Theory</p>
<p>Three years of soccer (2 varsity), four years of theatre (including Theatre Club, Treasurer currently), 4 years of Gay-Straight Alliance (treasurer 2 years, Vice-President currently) several other volunteering activities (relay for life, make-a-wish, sunrise children's foundation), tutor in Physics</p>
<p>Showed Great Interest; visited, info session; attended info session at my school and the Las Vegas Info Session</p>
<p>Nevada Latino Male; very competitive private school; probably the best/most notable in Las Vegas, if not, Nevada</p>
<p>On paper, you seem like a good fit for who they usually take.</p>
<p>If there is one thing that I learned though, is that these chances threads aren’t going to help anyone. We can only say whether or not you are within the ball park, but who knows what they really want on the day that they review ur app.</p>
<p>So my suggestion is to enjoy your senior year, or use this time to do work, and just hope for the good news</p>
<p>I agree with prettyboy. You’re in the ball park but what seems to be lacking is SAT subject test scores. I had about the same stats except 3 SAT subject tests which I got 800s on and I got into WashU ED. Honestly, I think it mostly comes down to the essay. Most people have the same stats we do, and since WashU doesn’t have supplemental essays anymore, make your common app essay stand out!! Well good luck!! and if you didn’t turn in your app in, I could read over your essay and try to improve it before you turn it in. :D</p>
<p>Yes, definitely work on the essay. I also got in ED with a SAT score that is comparatively weaker (low 2100s) than your 34ACT, but I want to say that I had a great essay, and that was what separated me from the others.</p>
<p>The best essay writing advice is to not try to be unique, but be sincere and “you”, the uniqueness will come if you just try to be as sincere as possible. Remember to use imageries! They tend to make essays stick.</p>
<p>actually, I’m liking your chances, as much as I can like chances of anyone but my D’s. I think being Latino from Nevada is a plus. The 34 is a plus. The 4 yrs of Theatre and GSA are pluses. I’d say maybe 40% chance. Good luck.</p>
<p>General question: I asked my mom’s friend who is a WashU Alumni to write me a rec(read it a couple of days ago, pretty strong), how much of a difference would that make</p>
<p>Depends on how well she really knows you and how much that comes through. If it seems obvious she was just writing it because she is a friend of your Mom, then it won’t help. If she has known you for a long time and really has a sense of your character, it can’t hurt and might help.</p>
<p>Regarding essay: Here is one opinion…
Imagine the admissions rep sitting on the couch, sometime after midnight, as s/he picks up your essay, it is the 37th to be read that night. S/he is tired and needs to go to the bathroom but wants to power through a few more apps before taking a break. What can you say in the first 2 sentences to make the reader stop, sit up straight, and actually want to see what comes next, as opposed to just getting through it? Not easy to do, as you must make it fit; it must be sincere, can’t be forced or seem formulaic, etc. Try to open with a bang and then go back and tell the story that leads to the moment but without the reader feeling manipulated. Off the top of my head, here are a few examples of opening sentences that might make a reader curious to hear more-<br>
“The thing is, I detest cauliflower.”
" ‘SIT DOWN!’, Mr. Smith shouted…and he was shouting at me."
“If you had asked me to list 100 emotions I thought I might feel if I ever found myself sitting in police car, ‘Elated’ probably would not have made the list.”
Whatever your story is, find the dramatic high point and look for a way to open with it. It may go nowhere, but it also may turn into a home run.</p>
<p>You have everything else you need and will get into a great school, even if not Wash U. Remember that all top schools get enough qualified apps to fill their freshman classes 2 times over, so it can come down to how many male Latino’s they have already accepted or the fact that the band needs trombone players and 2 applied from Nevada.<br>
Good luck!</p>