Here is the essence of my application:
Ethnicity: Asian Indian
Gender: Male
SAT: 2340/2400
Weighted GPA: 4.61
Unweighted GPA: 3.87
AP Scores:
5 on AP US History
5 on AP Computer Science
5 on AP Biology Exam
5 on AP Calculus AB Exam
SAT II Subject Test Scores:
800 Math 2
770 US History
790 Biology
Extra-Curricular Activities:
- Biomedical Engineering Internship at University of California, Irvine
- Completed all ABRSM Piano levels. Have placed numerous times at citywide piano competitions.
- Play piano at an convalescent home once a month since 9th grade.
- Currently on board for the organization which hosts #3.
- President of my school’s MedClub (we invite doctors to give speeches and counseling to students).
- Currently on board of a math club which teaches math to disadvantaged students
- Play the harmonium, a traditional Indian instrument, and lead the youth music group at my local religious congregation
- Received 3rd place at California State Science Fair, 2nd place at Orange County State Science Fair. Received an award from UCLA Brain Research Institute at the State Science Fair.
- Hospital volunteering
- On board of a club which raises funds to help North Korean refugees.
- Varsity Lacrosse (2yrs)
Biology Major/Pre-med track
Very solid shot. You have to show interest and go visit etc then I’d say you will be good.
If you apply early decision, I think you’ll get in. If you don’t apply ED, I’m not sure you will get in. WashU has the reputation of rejecting or waitlisting top quality students who apply regular decision because they figure that those students probably want to go to even more highly ranked schools than WashU and that WashU is more of a safety for them. And you know what? They are probably right and those students probably do want to attend other schools/ivies as first choices. Like all schools, WashU cares very much about being able to convert admitted students into students attending. If they are not convinced you will attend (i.e., have the stats, but not apply ED), they will probably figure that WashU is not your top choice. While some feel that WashU does this to improve its ranking, I think it’s quite understandable that a school of WashU’s caliber does not want to be filled with students who feel they are settling because they didn’t get into more highly ranked schools. It actually benefits the student body, professors, etc… if the students are mostly people who really wanted to attend WashU badly. I hope that makes sense~
@hardworking99 Actually, I think the “waitlist the best” trope is B.S. I have a 36 ACT, several APs, perfect GPA, and had a few great extracurriculars, and I got in. The key is demonstrated interest. I showed a lot because WashU was my number one. They can tell that in your essays or by how many scholarships you apply to (very important!).
Being a high quality applicant does NOT decrease your chances of getting in; demonstrated interest is a must for everyone. It just gets called out more in the upper level candidates because they’re more surprised to have not received an acceptance letter.
@kalyannath2000 Your stats look awesome. I would definitely recommend applying to the Langsdorf engineering scholarship. If you are serious about getting it, consider applying RD, as they use the scholarships as a hook to entice the best to attend WashU. Best of luck on your college applications!
@JemmaSimmons I totally agree with you that showing interest is incredibly important at WashU as well as at most other schools. I also agree that applying for scholarships at WashU is a great way to show interest. If you look at the WashU Regular Decision thread though for 2017, you will see some people who showed a ton of interest, including applying for scholarships and who got in and some did the same and didn’t get in. Some have very high stats and got in while some with high stats didn’t get in. Some with lower stats got in and some with lower stats didn’t. So many things can be taken into account in admissions decisions including what state you’re from, what your intended major is, if you play a certain instrument that there is a need for, etc…IMO, the best way to give yourself the best possible chance of getting into WashU, is by applying ED. If it truly is your first choice, then apply ED and apply for scholarships, show interest, etc… and know that you did everything you could.
@kalyannath2000 I think your chances are good for the ED round. Run the numbers in the net price calculator to determine if it would be affordable for your family.
Applying ED is the ultimate form of “demonstrated interest.” Jumping through additional hoops like visiting campus (if it’s a significant distance from your home) is probably not necessary.
I do agree with @JemmaSimmons that chances of a merit scholarship are probably reduced if you are accepted ED. There is no reason to use those scarce scholarships to recruit you if you’re a sure thing. So if you need merit money to afford Wash U, the RD round would make more sense.
Best of luck to you!