<p>I'm a junior right now, and I wanted to know if people can get into Wake from basically just academics. Like, say:</p>
<ul>
<li>4.05 weighted GPA</li>
<li>Ranked about 40/540 (~7%) at a competitive public HS</li>
<li>SAT Reasoning Math = 760, Critical Reading = 680, Writing = 720</li>
<li>32/33 ACT (w/ Writing)</li>
<li>5 honors classes, 2 AP's (probably 4's on both test this May)</li>
</ul>
<p>Other things:</p>
<ul>
<li>Barely any E.C.'s, and I mean BARELY (I have a job, and a 60+ minute commute to school everyday)</li>
<li>Good recommendations</li>
<li>Excellent writing skills (essays)</li>
<li>About 150-200 hours of community service by the time I graduate</li>
</ul>
<p>I guess what I'm really asking is: does Wake admit people for academics alone (basically)? From what I have been reading, it seems like not too much emphasis is placed on testing, and the interview (?) is more important than grades. Any help would be appreciated...</p>
<p>P.S. - I'm out-of-state and would apply for financial aid.</p>
<p>WFU is both private and need-blind so OOS status would not matter. </p>
<p>Most top universities like to see 10% and top 5% status, so you have that. Your test scores are excellent, just note that WFU doesn’t consider the Writing portion. Although it is optional, send in your scores anyway because they will definitely help you. The rigor of your classes are kinda weak…only 5 honors and 2 aps? Does your school not offer many honors/ap?</p>
<p>Essays are going to matter a lot, and so does recs, and now the interview. WFU puts some extra emphasis on CS because they are big on service and what not.</p>
<p>I would still say grades are very important (They are not top-30 for nothing) but I think admission is trying to create a more diverse class (diverse in broad terms) and not just people who have good test scores and grades. If you have some sort of passions outside of academics and extra curriculars, I would say to talk about them as a major point in your interviews. </p>
<p>Either way, other than your lack of ECs you are very strong for admissions. I would try to make sure your essays are rockin’ because that help you a lot.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks for responding rockerguy. As far as my course rigor, my school does offer a good amount of honors/AP’s. But, even the “standard” classes are weighted as if they are advanced (I don’t know if this is common in many high schools, but I guess it gives an idea of the education quality). Freshman year, no classes are really offered above standard. Sophomore year, I think I had the option of 2 possible AP’s, but opted to just take 4 honors classes. Junior and senior year is when it opens up, and this year I am taking 2 honors and 2 AP’s. Next year is tentative, but I am aiming for 2 more AP’s. So, no, I have not taken the absolute most rigorous course load possible, but at my school basically every class is advanced.</p>
<p>I am pretty confident I can write a GREAT essay (or essays) that displays that I am passionate and well-rounded beyond what my transcript may portray. But, I am sort of confused about the interview. Is it mandatory? And, how much weight is really placed on it? I find it somewhat strange, because I assume Wake gets a fairly large number of applicants each year; do they really sit down with each person?</p>
<p>The whole weighing standard classes as advanced is not that much common. I have heard once or twice in CC and never in real life and I have friends all across the USA.</p>
<p>IMO, your rigor will hurt you. For example, my school restricts APs but I still managed to take 8 and over 16 honors classes. I also attend a somewhat competitive large public schools. I think they expect students from large schools to have more APs/honors because it is often offered more than so a school that only has 50 per class and only 5 total APs offered. </p>
<p>With the whole “every class is advanced”, I guess they can get a feel for your high school through the School Report. The School Report often states the average GPA for your class, the Average SAT/ACT, % of graduates attending 4 year universities, etc. So, if your school’s averages are much higher than the national average then they probably think your school offers a rigorous curriculum in both College Prep, Honors, and AP classes. </p>
<p>Interviews are NOT mandatory, however strongly ENCOURAGED. Currently they offer three ways to get an interview:</p>
<ol>
<li>On-Campus interview with an Admissions Officer. This is offered from the summer before your senior year till around late December.</li>
<li>Online Interview Timed Interview. This one is pretty unique. I did it, and pretty much you must answer 6 questions and each are timed 5 minutes. The questions are not easy, one example I had was “Does the 2 Political Party system benefit our Democracy or does it hurt it? Explain why you think it does or does not?” That was probably one of the more easier questions, and again you have only FIVE minutes to answer and proof read it.</li>
<li>Internet Video Chat with Skype. You must have a microphone to do this and pretty much you use Skype and you and the Admission officer conduct an interview online.</li>
</ol>
<p>Last I heard, only about 1/3 of applicants did an interview of ANY kind. I would recommend to do one, because it shows your interest in the school, and they definitely weigh it quite a bit.</p>
<p>Yea, I regret not taking more, but in my school students are more accustomed to taking honors/AP’s in courses that they are interested in or related to their intended major. That is why, for example, next year I am taking AP Calculus and AP Stat rather than AP English or AP Environmental Science or AP Psychology. And I’m sure I can relay that message somehow through my essays, as well as show that I am very set on majoring in business.</p>
<p>D is current junior at WFU. In HS she took 3 AP classes & 4 AP exams – so I’m not sure I agree w/ rockerguyasj’s assessment. Wake does like to see community service, which OP has. IMO, you should make every effort possible to do an interview, either in person or by Skype, and let your personality shine through. But, I can’t imagine Wake is de-emphasizing grades – making test scores optional does NOT mean they’re throwing academic considerations out the window.</p>
<p>I too disagree with RockerGuy. The average number of APs for Stanford matriculants is FIVE. </p>
<p>There is nothing wrong with taking 8-10, but it ain’t necessary, as long as the rest of the application is strong. Our HS also limits APs to Junior & Senior year, and the maximium number of AP’s possible Jr year is three, assuming doubling in math or science.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yup, each HS is different. Our honors Eng Junior year (AP not allowed) is capped at ~12% A’s. Plenty of kids who have never seen a B in their life are rudely awakened…</p>
<p>I took 5 AP’s, because my school didn’t offer a lot. I only took 4 AP Tests, because my AP Chem class wasn’t a very comprehensive class. I think you look like a strong applicant. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Because each school is different alot will come down to the guidance counselors rating of course rigor. If the gc marks you for “most rigorous avaliable” there is no need to count APs. IMO</p>
<p>^^ That’s the whole problem with me. I have a few AP’s but not the most rigorous course load available at my school. I didn’t take AP US History this year because it doesn’t interest me as much as, say, Physics. But the thing is, even the standard US History is no walk in the park.</p>
<p>Yeah, It is sooooo tricky to convey each schools rigor - the true gift of a superior GC. I would wager to bet that many students have been short changed because the couselors haven’t conveyed this very issue to colleges. You may want to pursue your academic interests at local cc or universities in your area to support your thinking - I wish I had. Advice from me to a junior - fill out the common app and see what looks weak - I know I wasn’t happy with how I spent my summers (I mean I had fun but it didn’t look good on the application). Not good to have empty sections, although some can’t be helped others can be tweaked - you still have time</p>