Do I have a chance at all?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Washington & Lee University
1

<p><em>I go to a very rigorous private school</em></p>

<p>I had a really crappy Freshman year (3.14) and first half of sophomore year (3.22 cumulative after sophomore year). I managed to recover my sophomore grades during second semester to all B+s, an A, and one B. I didn't take any honors or AP courses the first two years since you had to have above an 87 in the subject freshman year to qualify for the advanced class sophomore year. This year, as a junior, first semester is going well and am looking to end with all A-'s in Honors Physics, Honors Precalculus, English 11, and Honors French IV. I am either going to receive an A or A- in AP Computer Science, and I will most likely get a B or B+ in AP US History.</p>

<p>One of my questions is will W&L weight my freshman year gpa as heavily as my sophomore/junior? Another is will the W&L admissions committee look at my trend of improvement in both rigor and grades?</p>

<p>My extracurriculars are:</p>

<p>Interact Club - Volunteer / Member (3 years)
Habitat for Humanity - Volunteer / Treasurer for 2 years
Big Brothers Big Sisters - Volunteer (Hoping to get a leadership position next year) 1st year (It is only offered through my school once you are a junior and can drive)</p>

<p>Ultimate Frisbee 1 year
JV Lacrosse 2 years (+1 varsity this spring)
JV Soccer 2 years
Varsity Swimming 2 years
Summer League swimming 11 years</p>

<p>School Exchange to France last Summer</p>

<p>SAT/ACT/SAT IIs
Have yet to get back my scores but am doing SAT tutoring now
Planning on taking American History and French SAT II Tests this spring</p>

<p>I am a legacy (father attended)
I plan on doing the admissions interview and applying Early Decision this fall.</p>

<p>Plans for summer / next year:</p>

<p>Bank of America Student Leaders this summer</p>

<p>Classes:
AP BC Calc
AP Psych
AP French
AP Physics
English 12
Economics (No AP offered at my school)</p>

<p>I want to go to W&L more than anything and want to know what my realistic chances are, any feedback welcome.</p>

2

<p>Now, I wouldn’t take my word for this, as I’m only an applicant myself and certainly don’t know everything about the school. That said, depending on your SAT scores, I think you have a very good chance! Most schools (including W&L, I presume) do not weigh your freshman grades as heavily, and upward trends are always helpful.</p>

<p>That, and you have what appears to be a rigorous schedule. You’re a legacy student, and you plan on applying early decision, which is the biggest show of commitment that I can think of.</p>

<p>It’s never a sure bet, but you have a shot.</p>

3

<p>Okay, thank you! I know nothing is ever a sure thing in college admissions, but hearing that if I continue working hard I may still have a shot is very reassuring. Also, good luck with your admissions process!</p>

4

<p>Update post-Junior year.</p>

<p>GPA
Freshman Year – 3.11
Sophomore Year – 3.37 (3.22 Cumulative)
Junior Year – 3.83 (3.47 Cumulative)</p>

<p>Test Scores
SAT - 2100 (700 CR, 670 M, 730 W)
ACT – 31 Composite (32 English, 32 Reading, 30 Math, 29 Science, 10 Writing) (Taking for 3rd and final time in September)
SAT IIs – US History (710), French (560) (Going to be taking another couple in the fall to replace this one)
AP Scores – AP Computer Science (3) – I really don’t know how this happened… must have screwed up multiple choice because I felt really good about the free-response part of this exam, AP US History (5)</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activites</p>

<p>Interact Club - Volunteer / Member (4 years)
Habitat for Humanity - Volunteer for 3 years / Treasurer for 2 years
Big Brothers Big Sisters - Volunteer (Hoping to get a leadership position next year when elections occur) 2nd year (It is only offered through my school once you are a junior and can drive)
Going to try and found an Investment Club at school next year.</p>

<p>Ultimate Frisbee 2 years (Helped found the spring team this year and we went to conference finals, but lost)
JV Lacrosse 2 years
JV Soccer 2 years
Varsity Soccer 1 year
Varsity Swimming 3 years
Summer League swimming 12 years</p>

<p>School Exchange to France last Summer</p>

<p>Worked for my father on app development for an app that will trade stocks.</p>

<p>Volunteering as a reading teacher at a summer school for underprivileged children through my church.</p>

<p>I have legacy through my father.</p>

<p>I have scheduled an on campus interview for the fall.</p>

5

<p>Nice to see your update. Your grades prove you really worked hard in that all-important junior year, and your test scores are well within the range, even if your ACT stays where it is. Given the legacy bump and assuming you interview well, I think you have a good shot, although virtually nothing is certain in highly selective college admissions these days. Get going on establishing that investment club in your high school so you can talk about that (and its equivalent at W&L) in your interview. Are you still planning to apply ED? </p>

6

<p>Thanks for your input, yaupon, and yes I am still planning on applying ED1. </p>

7

<p>Glad to hear you are applying ED1. W&L likes to see legacies apply in that group, as it’s the biggest possible sign of demonstrated interest. Keep us posted – we’ll be rooting for you!</p>

8

<p>@frodgers1207 Whether or not you are in need of financial aid will also affect your admission chances. If you are not seeking financial aid and you maintain your grades through your 7th Semester, you will have about a 40-50% likelihood of acceptance based upon historical admission rates as an ED 1 and legacy. Dean Hartog in past interviews stated that W&L gave preference to legacy applicants. </p>

9

<p>I would say you would have a decent shot if you apply ED1 or even ED2. But legacy doesn’t mean as much as it used to at W&L and your GPA is alright but could be better. I think your SAT would be excellent, had your grades been less average. </p>