Hello! I would appreciate some feedback as I await admissions decisions. I’ll just drop my states, please lmk what you think.
SAT 1: 1440 (710 EBRW, 730 Math)- I know this isn’t the best score, but I was recently diagnosed with epilepsy and was struggling with my health when I took the test, so I included in the “special circumstances” part of the common app how I believed the score didn’t accurately reflect my intelligence
UW GPA: 3.89/4.0
Weighted: 4.46
Class Rank: 9/410
AP Classes: APUSH, Physics 1, Calc AB, HuG, Chem, Physics C Mech + E&M, College Compsci, Psych, Lang, Calc BC, College English, Physics 2, Gov. I’m also taking an independent study in ferromagnetism
Awards: NHS, RIT Innovation Award, National Merit Commended
Extracurriculars: Quiz Bowl, Key Club (Service Chair with 200+ hours of community service), FBLA, Orchestra (Pit, Chamber, and Octet), Dance (13 years and student teacher), tutor at middle and high school level
Work: Babysitting (9th-12th), EMT (12th)
Recs:
-Definitely a great rec from my physics teacher. I’ve known her for four years and I was at the top of my class for the three years I’ve taken physics. I was also the reason AP Physics 2 was added as a course at my school (I petitioned for it). I was the only junior and girl in my Physics C class so we developed a close relationship
-Probably a good rec from my English teacher. I’ve had her for two years and she says I’m one of her favorite students
-Good rec from my counselor. She refers to me as one of her children and we chat throughout the day
Essays:
-For the common app essay I wrote about how having seizures and dealing with epilepsy made me a better provider in EMS. I also discuss some of the challenges we’ve faced with patients and despite feeling disheartened, I love my job and I’m certain I want a career in medicine.
-For the WashU essay I wrote about my love and curiosity surrounding physics. I mainly discuss my experience and my reasons for loving the subject. I end the essay with how I hope to incorporate my love of physics with my love of medicine in the future.
Demonstrated Interest: WashU is big with this. I visited, did a tour, sat through an info session, had an amazing interview, emailed my admissions officer a few times, emailed the physics department, and even had the chance to sit down and talk with some physics professors when I went to visit
State: PA
Intended major: Physics! (and pre-med track)
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: Female
Hooks: female in physics? my counselor said this might work to my advantage because the physics professors I talked to said their department has a huge gender gap
Thank you everyone! Good luck to you all 