<p>Did anyone get another letter from WashU today? Mine said that they would waive the application fee because of Discovery Weekend.</p>
<p>I got the same thing! I was very happy about that.</p>
<p>I was psyched. Since another CollegeBoard fee waiver has just been opened up, I can apply to another school for only $28!</p>
<p>That’s great news for you two! My D got a very nice letter, but alas, no fee waiver. Still, I’m amazed by how well WashU has organized their recruiting process. My D feels loved, even without a waiver :)</p>
<p>I really felt loved when I went to WashU. I hope it means something. First, I got my trip paid for. Then, when I got there, a lot of people had really relaxed interviews, but I had a super-formal interview with a current student, the director of something, and the diversity coordinator (okay, this may have been hatred more than love - it was really nerve-wrecking!). Then when I got home, I got granted a fee waiver! I’m thinking after all that I’d have to really screw up to be rejected.</p>
<p>Had a great time during the weekend, although too little sleep because I was in the freshman dorm and it was NOISY. Both my host and everyone was REALLY great and I came back really liking the school much more than before the trip. So glad I was able to go and make sure really great connections. I got an email with pictures that had been posted online. I got an email from the Dean of my department. I’m hoping that I get accepted because it looks like a really great school to go to. Thanks WashU for flying us up to get a better look. It was great to be there.</p>
<p>WashU was my first choice before, but now… wow. Like you said, it’s really a step above now. I got too little sleep because I was sick the whole weekend, but no matter, it was awesome! I was in a sophomore dorm and it was set up in suites, so noise wasn’t a problem at all. I was happy to see a lively campus, as well as some later night activities that weren’t alcohol-saturated.</p>
<p>To applicannot and the others who received these messages afterwards – had you sent in your preapplication prior to attending? My kids did not, and received some thank you letters, but nothing more direct than that.</p>
<p>Yes. I sent in my pre-application before I was even invited to Discovery Weekend. The letter says “We are delighted that you have already begun the application process for admission to the Class of 2014. As a result of your participation in our Discovery Weekend, we are pleased to waive the admissions application fee.”</p>
<p>My daughter sent in her pre-ap before discovery weekend too and got the post card fee waiver thing. She was a free flight recipient - do you think the fee waiver is tied to that? Her letter was also worded a bit differently from applicannot - and is signed by both the Admissions officer and Advisor for the Association of Latin American Students. I think these tickets and waivers are sponsored by the minority group associations. She had a regular laid back interview with kids who work in the admissions office. she loved it - it was in a booth at a restaurant that only opens at night and she talked to 3 kids who were funny and friendly. Now we have to figure out how to pay for the school!!</p>
<p>Yeah, mine was definitely different because it wasn’t a post card - it was a folder with different papers in it all together. But then again, I was paid for by the Black Student Association and the Black Alumni Council, so you can see why we were a little different. Unfortunately WashU has the worst financial aid of all the schools on my list, so… yeah.</p>
<p>applicannot,</p>
<p>do you mind sharing which schools you are considering with better financial aid than wustl?</p>
<p>With a 0 EFC:</p>
<p>Rice
Chicago
Yale
Stanford</p>
<p>As far as I know, WashU does not include books, personal expenses, and travel in their package. I did find one page listing those items, but the allowances were much less. Also, the student contribution and work study contributes (both of which will have to be loans for me) are also higher than the other schools - especially Rice and Yale. For WUSTL, I’m looking at about $12,000 of debt. For Stanford and Rice, I’m looking at $0. For Yale I’m looking at about $7500. For GW and Pitt, my safer schools, I’m looking at $20,000 to $30,000.</p>