<p>Will apply RD
ACT: 32(33 superscored)
GPA: 4.0 UW with most demanding schedule
EC: Good, but nothing amazing.</p>
<p>Possible Hooks?
Will be able to pay full tuition. No financial aid needed.
Have shown interest. I've responded to postcards and met a counselor who went to our school. I will also visit the school this summer.</p>
<p>The no financial aid needed will help. I’m pretty sure WashU isn’t need-blind, despite what they say.</p>
<p>Despite what other people say, I don’t think interest matters much, even though it probably doesn’t hurt. I showed 0 interest, didn’t interview, submitted app at literally the last minute (11:58 PM on the last day), with academic credentials inferior to yours.</p>
<p>If you’re curious how you stack up against me:</p>
<p>ACT: 35 (36 superscored)
GPA: 3.75 UW, 4.33 W. Only took 10 APs.
EC: almost none except violin, piano, and volunteering</p>
<p>But keep in mind I applied 4 years ago. I say you have a decent shot. Make sure those essays are polished. I think it’s still Common App + WashU supplement, right? Been a while.</p>
<p>The WashU supplement is just basic information about yourself – no essays required.</p>
<p>@atemporal</p>
<p>I don’t believe “they” have ever said wustl is need blind (unless “they” refers to misinformed posters on this site), because it’s not. Wustl is need aware, and don’t deny it. That being said, I doubt that the fact that he doesn’t need aid will make a heck of a lot of a difference.</p>
<p>Also, wustl themselves say that they consider how much interest an applicant shows. So while students may matriculate after showing little to no interest, I believe that to be an exception rather than the rule.</p>
<p>Back to OP. if your ECs are good,as you say, then you’ve got a decent shot.</p>
<p>@RyanMK</p>
<p>“they” was referring to both posters on this site, and WashU. I said “I’m pretty sure WashU isn’t need-blind,” so I’m not sure what I’d be denying…</p>
<p>With endowments rapidly shrinking (and WashU determined to either revamp or throw up a new building each year) I feel like how much financial aid a prospective candidate is looking for will be a growing factor. It’s less realistic to fully fund a student for $60,000 or so when another student will contribute $60,000 to the endowment rather than take from it. I’m sure academic merit is accounted for, but I believe our endowment has fallen some $800 million since my freshman year. Money is (or will be) a growing concern for all universities, not just WashU.</p>
<p>Sorry, to be clear I should have said, “wustl is need aware and the university doesn’t deny it.” I wasn’t trying to call you out, just trying to tell you it wasn’t much of a secret. Sorry for any misunderstanding.</p>
<p>I agree, if the endowment continues to shrink, then yes, ability to pay will have more of an impact. I just don’t believe it to currently be at a point where needing no FA at all offers you a significant advantage over everyone else.</p>
<p>Anyone else? How much will my hooks bump me?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t really consider what you listed as hooks. A slight bump if you were on the border of being admitted, but no significant impact on admissions IMO.</p>
<p>Aaronyah,</p>
<p>In encouraging students to visit campus and interview, Wash U admissions specifically says that interest is a factor.</p>
<p>“When reviewing your application, we will look for signs of interest in Washington University. So a visit to campus is one way to let us know that you are really interested in Washington U.” </p>
<p>Is it worth 200 points on the SAT, probably not. But every little bit helps.</p>
<p>muckdogs: What about my ability to pay full tuition? How much is that worth?</p>
<p>Aaronyah, I am curious why you wouldn’t apply ED if FA is not a factor. I think ED would ensure an acceptance. Otherwise you have a good shot but RD is a lottery - plenty of applicants with stronger academics get rejected.</p>
<p>Im not doing ED because I’m considering other colleges too.</p>
<p>Then welcome to the lottery. You can go back and look at the decision threads from last year. </p>
<p>If all the schools you are applying to are Wash U level and above, i would strongly suggest that you start your decision process three months early so you can pick your first choice before the ED application deadline - no matter what school you pick. </p>
<p>You could apply to 6+ top schools = 6+ lotteries. You could end up 0 for. </p>
<p>The top schools acceptance rates are getting so low for RD. </p>
<p>Good luck. </p>
<p>If financial aid was a factor, I could see not applying ED.</p>