Just wondering possible chances as a rising senior and will be applying soon (going to interview in a few weeks.)
I realized they are test optional, which is great in my case because I’m a strong believer that standardized tests don’t represent the whole student. Mainly because I am top of my class and my scores don’t represent me well because I simply cannot finish the sections. Time really gets to me.
Anyways,
My ACT is 26 (retaken 3 times) and my first SAT score is 1150, retaking in August
My GPA weighted is 4.76 and I am within the too 10% of my class. I have also never made below an A in high school.
My resume is basically 3 pages long. I am loaded with extra curriculars (after school theater, president of a medical club, member of several volunteer clubs, CPR/Lifeguard certified just to name a few.) I volunteer at my local animal shelter for an average of 8 hours a week, all while holding up a job as a waitress on average 3 days a week (therefore I have job experience as well)
I am heavily involved in my after school theater program/drama club, hence the reason I am not on a sports team. I will have been in 9 plays by the time I graduate, Holding a lead role in around over half of them. Therefore, the admissions team should see how booked I am after school with practice, work, volunteering, all while holding vigorous classes and keeping A’s in every one.
And to help me out with Wake, I have attended several medical camps such as Camp Med and Project SEARH Academy on their campus which is included in my resume.
There are many, I mean a lot of awards (mainly awards for my classes and being top two regarding grades in them. I have received about 4 every year of high school for my classes) listed as well along with a scholarship I have received as a freshman.
I have taken 3 AP so far, and plan to take 2 more my senior year, along with 6 classes taken at my local community college. All very high A’s in every one of them.
I will also become a certified CNA right after I graduate. I’m taking the class this upcoming semester at my local community college, which will help me look good I think, and will also show my passion for medicine which will be a topic in my essays.
My senior schedule will contain: AP Psychology, AP Lit, College Statistics, HN Spanish II, HN Civics, CNA at college. There isn’t 8 classes because some are all year/two periods. I will have a fifth period each semester.
One of my main questions is even though they’re test optional, does it look bad not to submit? and since my scores aren’t outstanding, should I just not submit any?
Also forgot to mention that by the end of the summer, I will have shadowed an Emergency Room Doc (what I want to be after school) and a local dentist. Just to have a talking point that by shadowing a dentist, I have looked into all sides of medicine.
Do not submit your standardized test scores. And no, it doesn’t look bad not to submit- many students choose not the submit their score and reps look at your standardized test scores if you have sent them but do not penalize a student for not sending them. They simply do not have time to project what a student could have gotten and instead spend their time on reviewing the info you have sent them. Not sure about interview advice, but heard it is a really tough one. Your ECs are clearly very strong and your GPA looks good too, so I think you’ll have a good shot.
As said above, you need to KILL the interview portion. They place a super heavy weight on it and it may be able to compensate for any reservations about sending/not sending test scores. Go in very prepared and confident, and don’t be afraid of their curve ball questions. Best of luck!
Yeah, Im trying to plan the best I can for the interview. Ive heard a little about the types of questions they ask but can you elaborate on curve ball questions? Did you have this interview for wake? Thanks for your reply! @kspoff
I have mine set for early August, but a friend of mine recently went through the interview process. Some of the things she was asked…
basic high school achievements
biggest/ most important high school moment
what was her school like
what did she like about Wake
what is her biggest flaw
what animal would she be
what is an important quote (something that represents your lifestyle)
what kitchen appliance she would be
what food she liked the most
tell your best joke
I’ve heard reports of similar questions. They make it super hard to prepare so you really need to be good under pressure. I wouldn’t try to research answers for these as you may be asked something completely different, but get a feel for their out of the box style of questioning.
@Sydney164@kspoff I wouldn’t view the interview as particularly difficult or challenging. The interview matters very much in the admissions process, but it’s by no means make-it or break-it. When I did my interview with Wake last year, I did not get the feeling that the interviewer was trying to test me or pull a fast one one me.
I see an interview at Wake as more of an opportunity to confirm what you are sending in on paper. They want to see if your personality matches that which they derive from your application. The admissions committee does not sit down and deny people just because they had a “bad” interview; instead, people get denied because they are not qualified. Naturally, an interview helps you if you present yourself in a way that confirms what excellent accomplishments that they are seeing on paper, but it’s not the end of the world if you are not 100% on your game.
Another interesting tidbit: what you say means just as much as how you say it. There are not objectively right and wrong answers to questions like “what kitchen appliance would you be?” Rather, they simply want to learn more about you. I’m other words, you don’t need to have the most elaborate or well-crafted answers. Your job in an interview is to be authentic and genuine so that the image you create of yourself on your application aligns with your interview. If you go into the interview with the attitude that they are out to trip you up or catch you off guard, you’re missing the point. Definitely go in with a positive attitude, knowledge about Wake, and an ability to talk about yourself in a way that reflects your identity (whatever that may be). As hard as it can be, try to leave the worry and concern behind. You should want to do well, but you don’t need to lose sleep over the interview. Try to approach it as an exciting opportunity to meet someone new and share your story with them.
I wish you both the best of luck with the interview and the rest of the admissions process. (From what you’ve said, I have a feeling you’ll both do very well!) Great to see that you’re both looking at Wake!