Chances and Possibility of Merit Aid?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Washington University in St. Louis
1

<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>Well, currently, I am trying to kind of get a general idea of what schools I will be applying to this fall and when (as in RD/ED/EA). So, I was wandering what my chances of admittance to WashU are and also if I stand a decent shot at any merit based scholarships.</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 (UW) and 4.1 (W)
Rank: 1/327
ACT: 34 (35 superscored)----------35 E, 34 on the rest
SAT: 2340-----800 CR, 780 W, 760 M (Only took test one time)
SAT 2: Taking in Oct.. will probably get 750+ on them all though
Race: White (Serbian)
State of Residency: NE
Recs and Essays: Both amazing
Desired Major/Minor- Bio/Econ</p>

<p>Main School ECs:
FBLA (9-12) Historian and Treasurer
SADD(9-12) Class Rep for 3 years
Science Club (11-12) President and Founder
AcDec (10-12) Captain for 2 years
Olympus Club (9-12) Actice Member
NHS (11-12) Possible office position next year</p>

<p>Community Service:
Red Cross--350 hours
Sunday School Teacher for 2nd and 3rd Graders---250 hours
American Cancer Society-----100 hours
Founded Organization that Raises money for Serbian Orphans-----200 hours
Volunteered at Local Congressman's Office----150 hours</p>

<p>Sports-
Did Cross Country for 2 years but was only an average runner...no awards or anything</p>

<p>Awards:
1st Place in Cell Bio and 3rd in Health Science at State Science Olympiad
1st in Health Science and 3rd in Disease Detectives at NE Regional Science Olympiad
1st in State Econ Challenge...flew to Houston for free and got 5th Place in Midwest
1st in State Microeconomics at Econ Challenge
2nd in State Finance Challenge 2008
3rd in State Finance Challenge 2007
3rd in Regional Economics Challenge
4th in state at Cyber Security Competition
Friend of Alexander Hamilton Merit Award Winner
President's Gold Volunteer Award
Represented my HS at NE State Leadership Seminar
Local Radio Station and News Station's volunteer of the year award
At least commended for National Merit
Won Like 20 regional AcDec Awards (was a top scorer at all of the competitions we were at)
Nominated for NCTE competition...but I dont think I won or anything</p>

<p>Work Experience:</p>

<p>Working as a paid research intern with a doctor at my local med center---may submit research to Siemens but who knows </p>

<p>Had a paper route for 7 years</p>

<p>Additionally, if my chances at Stanford are shall we saw "dim." Do you I a shot at one of the other elusive HYPSM = D?</p>

<p>Any Problems on App-</p>

<p>One thing, I have only taken 2 years of Spanish (Freshman and Sophomore year)...should I take Spanish 3 this upcoming year or just take more difficult classes that interest me.</p>

<p>Thanks,
Rob</p>

2

<p>a 4.1 W GPA? Did you take many AP or honors courses? I’d say your chances of being accepted are above average but qualifying for one of their prestigious merit scholarships is extremely difficult. Many kids who go to harvard aren’t even selected, and the interview portion is also very important. If you qualify for need-based aid, you’ll receive “merit scholarships” which are just need-based grants in disguise. If you want the full ride scholarships, those will be much more difficult. Regarding your Spanish 3 question, definitely keep up with Spanish 3 unless you are in dire need of one more AP course.</p>

3

<p>It all depends on exactly how amazing your recommendations and essays are. If they are merely *very *amazing, then you probably don’t have much of a chance. WashU only admits students with ultra-super-amazing recs and essays. Sorry, but you’re going to community college.</p>

4

<p>Admission - good shot. Merit awards - I see nothing that really makes you stand out in regard to leadership, or how you have made a significant difference in your HS or community. If you can develop that area, then give it a try (merit apps are on the WashU site and ask your GC to nominate you for Danforth Scholars). You never know if you don’t try.</p>

5

<p>Ya…thts definately a weakness on my app. Idk…I started that charity that I love and am puttin more time in and I created our schools first science based club. Because of that, I got my school doing science olympiad and next year I will bring USABO and the like to our school. But ya, not a ton.</p>

6

<p>So, what you were really asking for is to be congratulated on how wonderful your qualifications are.</p>

<p>Congratulations.</p>

7

<p>Umm no…I am trying to plan out what schools I should apply to and when (EA/ED/RD). A previous poster said that I needed to make a difference at my school to qualify for scholarships…I told him the only major way I had affected my school. I really dont understand why you have taken on a caustic tone when I am just trying to get info about my chances at Washu.</p>

8

<p>Then I will state my opinion a different way that I hope is less caustic and more encouraging:</p>

<p>Your chances for admission are excellent. Your chances for a scholarship are very good. You must know that your qualifications are better than 99% of the people out there. Your chances are excellent at any college you apply to. So don’t waste your time asking about your chances…be bold and go apply!</p>

9

<p>WashU offers a smaller number of merit-based scholarships than other private schools, so they are more difficult to get. Since the school is already very selective, those getting merit scholarships are the top of the top.</p>

10

<p>Apply! Apply! :)</p>

11

<p>We found, for my son, that Wash U gave MORE merit aid than other private schools where he was accepted (Northwestern, Penn, Rice, Vandy). I’d recommend, however, that if you apply to Wash U that you take the time to apply to every merit scholarship that you qualify for.</p>

12

<p>You have to apply for the purely merit scholarships at Wash U. Apply for every one you’re eligible for. Some are based on being generally amazing (Danforth), service (Ervin and Rodriguez), achievement in some academic area (in each college, e.g. ArtSci has 4 main ones, each with several awards), or hobbies (music, writing, FIRST robotics, etc. ).</p>

<p>However, <em>you</em> must fill out separate applications and get separate teacher recommendations for all of them!!! Remember that the deadline is a <em>receipt date</em> NOT a postmark date (although for the 2009 application season, they extended the deadline 5 days). </p>

<p>To increase your chances, apply to every single one you can. </p>

<p>I wish you the best of luck!</p>

13

<p>Indiana91 - You are quite wrong regarding the number of merit scholarships offered by WashU. There are over 100 offered each year, which is more than most comparable schools offer. Both kaykay and Tetraoxygen are spot on. Yes, it takes a bit of effort, but the results may be very worth while. In addition to possibly receiving a merit award, applying for such is by far the best way to show interest in WashU. Just remember that the Danforth nomination deadline is early in your senior year of HS.</p>