<p>When I first looked at WashU (during my soph year), I was sure i could get in. Now i'm not so sure. From reading everyone else's posts, I'm thinking its a bit of a stretch. I really want to go to washu, and plan on applying ed. Any input would be welcome. Here's what i've got:</p>
<p>2030 SAT
720 Math
670 English
640 Writing</p>
<p>33 ACT
32 English
33 Math
29 Reading
36 Science</p>
<p>AP Physics B - 5; Chem - 5</p>
<p>4.08 gpa weighted
3.91 gpa u/w</p>
<p>4 year varsity swimming (2x all catholic, all american consideration, several other team awards for leadership, attendance, etc.)
2 year varsity soccer
boy scout
ultimate frisbee club founder
science fair volunteer - 6 yrs
jazzfest volunteer - 6 yrs.
honduras mission trip
habitat for humanity alternative spring break trip
nhs
possible national merit (if not, then commended)
summer engineering internship at ford motor company
co-inventor on 8 invention disclosures (hopefully they eventually become patents)</p>
<p>Your extracurriculars look very nice =D
your SAT needs to increase by 100 minimally... preferably 200+
A 3.91 gpa u/w... I would've expected 4.60+ in weighted. Not enough honors/AP's? But the GPA really falls in range so it looks good. Its the dreadful SAT's that need improvement =(</p>
<p>I'd say you aren't guaranteed but you've got what is needed. Good luck goonboy! I'd be glad to have you as a schoolmate! I guess it comes down to improving SAT's and writing decently on the common apps =D</p>
<p>Definitely work on the non-math parts of the SAT. You're clearly an intelligent kid. You should go grab some prep books and actually read through the info on the reading comprehension and writing sections, because especially in the writing section, the SAT people use the same tricks every test, and scores are usually determined based upon whether or not you know simple usage rules for things like commas, semicolons, etc. These mistakes are so, so easy to correct, and focusing on this will also probably help your writing skills in general, not just on standardized tests.</p>
<p>I don't know if WashU looks at only the "better" of your ACT or SAT scores, but if so, your ACT is equivalent to about a 1480-- which is about 100 points better than your actual SAT score.</p>
<p>In many threads, WashU is mentioned as one of those universities that puts a lot of emphasis on interest. They seem to want a high yield and appear to accept students who they think will enroll if accepted. Applying ED should help, but also take advantage of the many opportunities they give students to visit.</p>
<p>We just went to a Wash U information session and the admissions person told us that they will only look at your best score. They will even mix and match scores between the SAT and ACT- in other words, if your ACT math is best and your SAT writing is best they will just look at the best.</p>
<p>No need to do ED (unless you are absolutely sure it is your first choice). As long as you demonstrate interest - you are in with 33 ACT, 5s in APs and your very impressive EC list. Write a nice essay and apply for scholarships (separate application, additional demonstration of interest and who knows - you might even get one).</p>
<p>datadriven...you have no idea what you are talking about. I know plenty of people who have those kinds of stats AND who showed tons of interest (visits, scholarship applications, all of it) and didn't get into WashU. They have a good chance, but it's not guaranteed.</p>
<p>KBTennis, there is no such a thing as "guaranteed" admission when it comes to any top 20 school. But this applicant stats would be way above average (ACT score), in fact average scores for scholarship recepients were around 34. Plus I see significantly better then average EC list and I see a candidate that will get admitted RD with chances better then 90-95%. Only not showing enough interest or boring essay could lower his/her chances.</p>
<p>I predict it will be more difficult to get in next year because they over-enrolled this year. I know lots of kids with better "stats" who didn't get in, but I don't know if there are kids with lower stats who are here, because one of the good things about this school is that no one seems to compare stats once you are in! Anyhow, although the SAT scores seem on the low side, it is so cool that you are an inventor! I bet a good essay on that, and good interview, would go a long way toward compensating for the scores and gpa combo. That sure impresses me!!! Good luck.</p>
<p>No offense to other posters, but don't put much stock in pronouncements that you are "in" with any particular score (although your ACT is excellent) or that your chances in someone's opinion are 90-95 percent. Not even the admissions committee will know that until they see your application in context with all the other applications that come in that year. It's good advice to try to bring some scores up. But if Wash U is truly your no. 1 choice, and financial aid is not a big consideration, then apply ED. That's what ED is for. If it's truly not your first choice or you're not really sure, or you need to evaluate the FA offers of other schools, then do not apply ED. If Wash U is where you want to be, one of your best bets in addition to applying ED is to get enough information about the college and its special programs to be able to convey to the ad com why you belong there, why Wash U is a good fit for you and why the university should want you there, what you will contribute. Show them you are a match and really want to be there and it does make a difference. And don't forget that there are factors in the admission process beyond your ability to influence: do they need to admit more men than women; do they need to admit only so many pre-med applicants and need more humanities majors; are the art, architecture or music departments pushing for more students or do they need more athletes...and so on. Do you as an applicant provide some element of diversity, either ethnic or geographic, or economic or special hobbies....these individual aspects never get detailed on "chances" threads and yet these things can also make a difference. That's my two cents anyway. Best of luck.</p>