Chances for W&L

Colleges and Universities A-Z Washington & Lee University
1

I’m a high school junior currently looking at Vandy, W&L, UVA, and UT Knox as a backup. Here are my stats:

ACT: 32 (going to bring up, one point away from a 33), 11 on writing (want to get a 12)
GPA: 4.0 (all A’s, all honors/AP)
Rank: 5/6 out of like… 300 something? I go to a small, underfunded public high school in an impoverished area.
Personal: Deceased parents, living with disabled grandmother. Not sure if this matters, but I qualify as low-income. A couple people above me are taking super easy classes.

Classes: School doesn’t offer much.

Freshman: Honors Reading, Honors Biology, PE, Theatre Arts, Honors English I, Honors Geometry, Computer Applications, World History (I’M SUPER MAD ABOUT THIS. I asked to be put in a thing called Fuel Ed where I was going to choose to take Astrophysics and Philosophy directed. I guess they didn’t have enough room or whatever and they pushed me into a non-honors World History course. Needless to say, I aced it, but I feel really bad about not taking honors/Dual Credit that was more intense… I am gonna put this as a note on my application.)

Sophomore: Honors Algebra II, Wellness, Honors Chem I, Honors French I, Personal Finance (required, aced), Honors English II, Honors French II, Honors Biology II

Junior: APUSH, AP Lang, Honors French III/IV, Dual Enrollment College Algebra, AP Chem, AP Computer Science Principles

Senior: Taking AP Stats, Honors Physics (no AP offered), AP Lit, AP Psych, Dual Enrollment Sociology, Hon Gov/Econ (no AP offered), and Hon German I/II. Alternates (if I can’t take one) are AP Bio, Honors Precal, and AP Cal AB (we don’t have BC). I don’t want to focus on calculus because it’s not my field. I am a future historian/lawyer and statistics is far more relevant.

Clubs, officer/other info in parenthesis: Extemporaneous Speaking, Debate, French Club (president), Military Club (secretary, president next year), History Club, Math Club, Science Club (we explain experiments to little kids and do science fair). I think I’m forgetting one or two others, but this is chiefly what matters. Next year I may start a Young Americans for Freedom chapter and my friend and I have plans to start a Parisian salon-type intellectual discussion group.

Awards: First Place in French Competition at Murray State University, novice level. Returning this year. More awards soon hopefully with AP tests and an upcoming history competition.

Volunteering: 80+ hours peer tutoring, 16 hours IT help, regular volunteer at my Heritage Center, game concessions, Mardi Gras, some other stuff

Summer Programs: I did Vanderbilt Summer Academy between 9 and 10, and this year I’m attending the TN Governor’s School for Humanities.

Teacher reqs: Will be extraordinary. My French and APUSH teachers got me into Gov school, really like me and write good letters.

Other reqs: Will have a recommendation from my schools technology director and a Vanderbilt alumnus

Prospective major: History and Philosophy.

I lean right-wing, but to be safe I won’t talk about it on the application. I am likely leaving some stuff out.

2

You sound like a good candidate - good luck!

3

@FranciscoPizarro

I think your chances are very good.

One seemingly silly question, that is a reality - are you Italian or of Hispanic origin? The Italian American ethnicity would be of no help or hindrance, but the Hispanic ethnicity would aid your application. W&L is apoplectic about their lack of minority students. They are desperate to raise that number.

Next topic. Knowing W&L, I would think that they need a few lower income kids. I would play that up. They hate being perceived as a school for rich kids. And, they do take into account the school profile which should help you.

Last topic - the student body at W&L is fairly conservative, and very conservative relative to similar schools. You should fit in well if you identify with YAF. However, the administration and admissions are typically hard left wing. Do not make a big deal of your political leanings!

I hope you choose to apply and you get in. W&L could use a student like yourself. If it all works out … look to become a part of the W&L Spectator.