Do I have a decent chance of getting in?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Washington University in St. Louis
1

<p>General:
GPA: 3.687 (Weighted) - This will increase with the first semester of senior year and I have a very good upward trend.
Rank: Top 20%
AP Rigor: Three AP classes, two AP tests.
Honors Classes:<a href="3%20yrs.">/b</a> of Honors Math, (1 yr.) of Chemistry, (2 yrs.) of English
-- Total of (6 classes)
**ACT: 28, will retake again.</p>

<h2>Residence: Michigan</h2>

<p>EC's:
Student Government - President (12), Member (11, 10, 9)
Class Council - Vice President (12), Treasurer (11), Member (10, 9)
Astronomy Club - President (12), Vice President (11), Member (10, 9)
Philosophy Club - President (12), Member (11, 10, 9)
Model UN Club - President (12), Vice President (11), Member (10)
National Honors Society - Historian (12), Activities Coordinator (11)
Freshmen Mentor Program - Member (12, 11)
Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) - Member (12, 11)
Co-President of a community service club
DECA - Fundraising Co-Chair (12, 11) Member (10, 9)
Drama Club - Secretary (11), Member (12, 10, 9)
Debate Club - Member (12, 11, 10, 9)
French Club - Member (12, 11, 10, 9)</p>

<p>Hook:
Raised in poverty and fled war-torn nation of Yugoslavia; escaped genocide of my Albanian race.
First generation immigrant</p>

<p>Work Experience:
Coney Island - Waiter, Busboy, Dishwasher (12, 11, 10, 9, 8)
- At least 20 hours a week.</p>

<p>Languages:
Fluent in Albanian, Serbian, Croation and English.</p>

<p>Awards, Achievement, and Recognition:
Math Commendation - 2 years (11, 9)
Top Debater - 2 years (11, 10)
Model UN Best Delegate - (11, 10)
Model UN Honorable Delegate - (9)
French Club Commendation - 1 year (10)
Economics Commendation - 1 year (9)
School Spelling Bee Winner - (11)
School Spelling Bee Runner Up - (10)
Virtual Stock Exchange Honorary Mention - (11)</p>

<p>Volunteer:
Volunteered 200+ hours at a local hospital.
Volunteered 150+ hours at a local library.
Volunteered 150+ at an animal shelter.</p>

<p>Financial Aid Needed?:
Yes</p>

2

<p>Probably not.</p>

3

<p>As of now, you are a long shot because your ACT is low for WashU and your GPA, while solid, is not overwhelming. Also, yours is the rare list of ECs which is SO long that it suggests that you were going for “The List” rather than a real depth of involvement. College AdComs are sometimes suspicious when they see lists this long (they suggest b.s.; you’ll need to overcome that if that is an incorrect inference to draw).
That being said, it appears that you have a compelling personal story to tell. If you do that effectively in your essay (and through recs), get that ACT score up a couple of points and (maybe) apply ED, you could increase those odds.
Good luck.</p>

4

<p>With being outside of the Top 10%, and a relatively low ACT score for WashU, I don’t think your odds are great, unfortunately. Although I’m generally an ED booster, in your case I wouldn’t recommend applying ED to WashU, but to figure out if there is another slightly less selective school that you would be interested in applying ED to. </p>

<p>Your stats are solid for a lot of other very good schools. Make sure you pick a range of safety-match-reach schools. U. Michigan has rolling admissions, so be sure to apply there early. An early acceptance is the best safety - if you get accepted at Michigan, you can concentrate more on reach schools. You can apply rolling admissions to Michigan and to another school ED (as well as EA to other schools).</p>

5

<p>What is your ACT superscore? If it’s a 31, you have a shot. I would encourage you to apply. My daughter got in with a 29 (superscore was 31). I didn’t think she’d get in, but she did, and she got a scholarship that covered 1/2 the tuition, fees, room and board. Your GPA is a little low though so work to bring it up this year. You also need to show interest by visiting the school and interviewing, if you can. If you can’t, after submitting your app, be sure to contact the admissions office to follow up on any questions you have. Talk to the financial aid office. Let the folks in the office get to know your name and that you are serious about attending and are doing all you can to do so.</p>

6

<p>akward313, may I ask what year your daughter applied and if she had any special hooks?</p>

7

<p>My daughter applied in 2008 for admission during the fall of 2009 and was accepted RD. She is AA, but I think that had less to do with her getting admitted than her uniqueness and how she sold that to admissions. She wanted to study Chinese and had taken two years of lessons (and had 4 years of Spanish). She also was selected to be a Missouri Scholar. She played 3 years of tennis and was on the color guard for 3 years. She’s interested in culinary arts. I think she was selected because she is so well-rounded - it’s not all about academics. Everyone at WashU is smart. What makes you unique? What can you add to the community? I think those are the questions that the admissions committee is looking for answers to.</p>

<p>Not that you are saying this, but I disagree with people that say people got admitted because they are a minority - you have to be able to do the work first to get into Wash U. My daughter could do the work. She is on a plane at this very moment coming back from China after spending 2 months studying abroad with WashU and did extremely well in her classes. She plans to double major in Chinese and (possibly) Psychology.</p>

8

<p>Raise the test scores and I think you have a great shot (especially with your hook).</p>

<p>@akward313 - You mean your daughter went to the Missouri Scholars Academy?</p>

9

<p>Despite what you do have, there’s not a single thing (academic-wise) in particular that stands out and seems captivating; if we, a simple audience, don’t find one thing particularly interesting, then the admissions office will be even more bored; they have to read over 20,000 apps. If you have one then you may very well stand a chance.</p>

10

<p>“If we, a simple audience, don’t find one thing particularly interesting”</p>

<p>You didn’t find his hook interesting?</p>

11

<p>99% of what darkknight posts on this forum is inaccurate and/or just plain wrong…I wouldn’t pay much attention to him</p>

12

<p>well we’re talking academic-wise: how would his hook prove that he can contribute much to the university? He’s also not the only one to have that kind of hook; many others, including myself were also born and raised in poverty.</p>

13

<p>Academics clearly aren’t your catch.
But your background story is captivating and if you can relate it - in a mature, non-pitying, fascinating way - than I would say you have a great shot. Also, how is your relationship with your counselor? Get a solid recommendation that also details the hurdles and achievements you have faced and your chance at getting in will be quite solid.</p>

<p>My GPA and SAT were decent but I had no AP scores, and only 1 AP course before senior year. It’s the story that counts.</p>

<p>You are a great example of diversity (ethnic, socioeconic) as well.</p>

<p>And plus, I have known two Albanian kids - neither were great with grades but both had compelling stories that have gotten them great places. :)</p>

<p>Don’t let this board bring you down. APPLY.</p>

14

<p>All this talk about hooks and stories… Stories are like navels… everybody’s got one…as universities are supposed to be about academics…here’s a twist- recognize academics. I’m tired of looking at school costs, and realizing I’ll have to pay more for my kid’s education because he had a “normal” upbringing, with parents who actually married each other (and stayed married) and had the foresight to purchase a (modest) home, as opposed to renting. Probably resulting in the fact that he’ll end up missing out an a top tier school, while being academically qualified, but not traumatized enough. It’s all upside down.</p>

15

<p>Sorry I’m so slow to respond. I don’t check CC everyday. Yes, my daughter was a Missouri Scholar and went to MU the summer of her sophomore year in high school ('06-'07). Think you know her?</p>

16

<p>No I won’t know her then. I was an '09 scholar, and am only a high school senior. But that’s still really cool! What’d she think of it?</p>

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<p>@FallenAngel9: She enjoyed it. It was her first time away from home without family and I think it helped us both adjust.</p>