<p>Anyone been invited yet? Do you guys know if this is still happening this year?</p>
<p>Think invites are still some months away.</p>
<p>the weekend is usually at the end of next month… I got mine about this time last year…</p>
<p>I’m thinking of multicultural weekend. Oh well.</p>
<p>My daughter just received an invite to the Discovery Weekend (which is thursday-friday so not really a weekend). I’d rather she didn’t miss two days of school to do a college visit. Is Discovery weekend worth going to? or can she get a better visit when the campus is in its normal routine.</p>
<p>If you get Invited to Discovery Weekend, go. It’s that simple. Even if you or your child (if you’re a parent/guardian) ultimately choose not to come to WashU the experience is invaluable. Sometimes it’s easier to know what you are looking for when you know what you don’t want. I went to Discovery Weekend and loved it. Immediately afterwards, I went to Swarthmore’s Disco Swat weekend and realized that WashU was the place for me. It’s a fun time and a nice break from school!</p>
<p>I got my invitation today. Sounds pretty cool. I’m not sure what to make of it–it’s reminiscent of other things I’ve gotten that give off that “scam” vibe, but I know this isn’t a scam or anything. Just one of those “there’s a catch” things. Or maybe I’m just paranoid. What should I make of it?</p>
<p>No scam and there’s no catch. Goal is to attract people to the school.</p>
<p>who else is going?</p>
<p>I am! It sounds amazing. Washu is definitely my first choice! 
How about you guys?</p>
<p><em>sigh</em> I don’t think I’ll be able to go–it sounds so awesome and I’d love to be able to do it, but I just think it’ll create a big dent in my schedule, as I’ve got a whole lot of stuff happening at that time and I don’t want to fall behind in the mountain of work I’ll have then.</p>
<p>What are the Discovery Weekend invitations based on, as in how do you get invited?</p>
<p>For me, at least, it’s just uncertain…I need to see what comes up in the future.</p>
<p>Discovery Weekend is good if you are interested in applying for university wide scholarships later on. A lot of how we identify students who might fit into our programs stem from observing them at Discovery Weekend. I would encourage everyone who is invited to accept, because it could easily be the most critical two days of your life if you are really interested in attending WashU</p>
<p>six360, you make it sound like you’re an official with the university. Please don’t. This, and other forums, are filled with impressionable 17 year old students. Don’t make it authoritative (“we identify students…”). It’s your personal opinion. You are just a frosh at WashU, after all ;)</p>
<p>I did wonder if six360 was connected to admissions because it was a really good point about merit scholarships. I find six360’s posts very helpful.</p>
<p>My D went to Discovery Weekend a few years ago and loved it. She did not end up at WUSTL (got a full tuition scholarship elsewhere) but it was indeed a great experience.</p>
<p>I am less sure of six360’s claim that merit scholarship qualification is tied into that weekend. They don’t interview you, and people are generally in groups. She experienced nothing that indicated they were “sizing her up” with respect to the merit scholarships. Judging by the fact that they paid for her trip (which I am led to understand means they thought she was in the top percent of the kids invited to DW, because we were not applying for need based aid), if that was a purpose of DW I would have thought they would have made sure to talk to her or have her in a situation where they could get a more direct impression of her.</p>
<p>I agree with jvtDad, if six360 is an undergrad (and a freshman at that) he should not come across as so authoritative as to what the WUSTL administration is thinking or their motivations behind any actions they take.</p>
<p>Hey, everyone. </p>
<p>First, allow me to apologize for giving the impression that I work for admissions by using the phrase “we”. That was a mistake on my part, and I regret any confusion that may have resulted from that choice. </p>
<p>Second, do not presume that you know how the course of my interaction with WashU went. This time last year, I did go to Discovery Weekend and interviewed at Discovery weekend in a solo interview with three panel members, two alumni and one current upperclassmen, that last about 45 minutes. If you are already familiar with the way Discovery Weekend works (maybe an older child or sibling attended) you know that it isn’t the norm. Most people, if they interview at all, get fifteen minutes with a senior and call it a day. Yes, I am a freshman, but I can assure you I am not just any freshman, so I would thank you to not dismiss me because of my age. </p>
<p>Anyone who believes a school would fly a students out without the intention of sizing them up is deluding themselves. If you stay on campus, your host fills out an evaluation form. If you go to dinners with university staff, that staff fills out evaluation forms. Recognize that all times, when you are on campus you are adding to impression the school has of you.</p>
<p>
I can assure you we are not dismissing you because of your age. It is good to know you are not “just any freshman”. Which freshman are you, then?</p>
<p>fallenchemist, thanks for your interest in my identity, but I am really not comfortable giving that information out. If your son or daughter chooses to participate in Discovery Weekend, I would be happy to meet with him or her and talk more or communicate through email, but I am not going to post that information in this thread.</p>