<p>I’m a junior at a “gifted” HS and I’m extremely interested in WashU. I got a 32 on the ACT the first time. Got a 5 on AP US test last year, and awaiting results on AP Gov, Econ, Eng Lang, and Euro. Next year I plan on taking 4 more AP classes. By the time I graduate, I will receive 12 varsity letters. (3 sports, four years). I’m involved in Key Club, National Honor Society, French Club and French Honor Society, Chemistry Club - 1 year. I’m band president and I have actively played my instrument for 6 years in wind ensemble and jazz band. I also row through a local rowing club. However I’m worried about admissions and I have a couple questions.</p>
<li><p>Does a summer job effect admissions? I have been a lifeguard and taught for 2 years. It requires 10+ hours of training each month, and I work 40 hours a week over the summer.</p></li>
<li><p>I’m planning on retaking the ACT in june. What score should I (realistically) aim for to be in the average range for WashU?</p></li>
<li><p>I’ve heard it is very important to visit WashU. If I want to apply ED, should I visit over the summer (seems kind of pointless! No ones there!) Or should I wait until the fall?</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li><p>Schools like seeing summer jobs. Not a big factor in admissions though. You should mention the 10+ hours of training per month during the school year somewhere on your application.</p></li>
<li><p>Your ACT score is already average for admitted Wash U students. The last figures I have seen had the 25-75th percentile ranges as 30-33.</p></li>
<li><p>All schools like to see demonstrated interest. Applying ED shows that already, however, visits are always a good idea. Wash U is a research university so there is still some activity on campus even during the summer months, but yes school year is best.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Try for a visit in late August, after students return to campus. S1 visited over Labor Day weekend his senior year --- lots of prospies also visiting then. Arrange an interview for the day of your visit. </p>
<p>The point of "demonstration of interest" isn't just the act of visiting or interviewing, though. </p>
<p>It's more about researching the university in depth, being familiar with its programs and philosophy, it's approach to interdisciplinary learning in different areas, its strengths (many) and weaknesses (few) and being able to articulate what it is about Washu that makes it a good fit for you. And vice versa, what makes you a good-fit applicant for them.</p>
<p>For summer jobs, like IJReilly said it's not a big deal, but I seem to remember there having been a short answer question on the application asking about how you spent your summer... I did a lot less than you seem to be doing (I worked about 8 hours per week, plus a several volunteering deals and camps/programs.) and got in fine for the class of 2012. Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>My d currently goes to WashU, and we showed a lot of interest and got to know our admission officer very well. We went to information sessions in our city multiple times and spoke with him afterward. We visited campus a few times as well.</p>
<p>My d says: I've heard numerous stories about how if you don't show that you are interested in Wash U for itself, if you give them the impression that you are using it as a "backup" for Harvard etc., they will not appreciate it. They really want people who see Wash U as a top choice itself.</p>
<p>What is your GPA like? If it is good, try to raise your ACT a bit and apply for scholarships. Not only does this give you a shot at a scholarship, but it also demonstrates interest. It involves a bit of extra work, but nothing excessive. Check out the scholarships on the WashU website as follows: Scholarship</a> Programs At-A-Glance</p>
<p>In addition to the above, have your GC nominate you for the Danforth Scholars program. The Danforth is by nomination only. Applications are available from WashU admissions. Nominations are due early in the fall of your senior year.</p>
<p>Are you planning to play any sports at Wash U? If so, contact the coach. My understanding is that coaches are able to have some input into admissions as long as the prospective student has good grades and test scores.</p>
<p>Regarding sports at WashU. Just remember that most varsity teams at WashU are very competetive. Unless you are a top athlete, most of the coaches will have minimal interest in you. By the end of junior year in HS, most of the coaches have identified the prospects they are interested in and have invited them to visit campus. At least this has been our experience and mine plays a varsity sport at WashU. </p>
<p>This being said, from what I have seen playing sports in HS has a very positive impact in admissions decisions. There is always the possibility of being a "walk on". Just don't expect a coach to go to bat for you unless you are a top athlete.</p>
<p>Get that ACT up to 33 or 34. If your GPA is good, you're definitely qualified, maybe even overqualified. In that case, you'll need to show interest (visit, overnight, interview, etc.) to make sure they don't waitlist you because of your being overqualified. Disregard the interest thing if you're sure you will apply ED.</p>
<p>I guess we have a difference of opinion. The EC list is not that unusual for quite a few of the students in the Scholars programs. If the OP has a good GPA and raises their ACT, there should be a very good shot for scholarships or one of the Scholars programs. WashU would hardly consider OP to be over qualified, but would look to attract OP with additional incentives. At least that has been my experience.</p>
<p>My daughter applied ED and got in last year. I thought of the visit as kind of a formality - we flew in and out in one day and she didn't interview. There are lots of people taking tours all summer. I think driving or flying to St. Louis if you live reasonably far away demonstrates interest.</p>
<p>About the ACT, 32 is a good score but why not take it again? Wash U combines scores on the ACT (most schools don't) so even if you do worse the 2nd time (like my daughter) your overall score can go up (like my daughter). If the second time doesn't do you any good, you don't have to send that score.</p>
<p>Get to know your regional representative and email him or her on anything important going on - an award, an improved score. </p>
<p>Most importantl, applying ED will give you a big boost.</p>
<p>i think flying to st louis is a waste of money if you just wanna show interest. i really believe that applying for the scholarships is enough, cos apparently there's actually intellectual work involved...and you can save money for an uber-expensive college =D</p>
<p>inthemistylight - I believe that you are absolutely right. The best and least expensive way of showing interest is to apply for as many scholarships as possible. The only investment is time and it absolutely shows interest. Worked in our case - never visited prior to Scholars weekend, never went to a presentation or had an interview - but is now at WashU as part of a scholars program with very nice $.</p>
<p>I can't answer this. I heard that they want you to step foot on Wash U soil - I guess they just log it in somewhere that you were there. But maybe if you explain that you can't afford to visit, and apply for scholarships, etc. that will work. I would think that applying ED would show demonstrated interest but if it wouldn't really be a huge financial burden I would go.</p>
<p>Our cousin was probably overqualified and applied RD - he got into Princeton - and he's the type of person that people say Wash U usually rejects but he flew in and was accepted.</p>
<p>I don't think there is any right answer especially based on this year's admissions. I know someone who visited, applied for scholarships, was nominated for Danforth and was wait listed. This person was called from the wait list, but is not attending because no merit or need aid was offered. Another applicant, also wait listed, visited and had legacy. Was called off of the wait list and also decided to stay with school they enrolled in by May 1 deadline.</p>
<p>gg1833, Applying ED is certainly the strongest sign of interest you can show a school and with few exceptions, is a sure way to enhance your chances of admission. While I doubt that a visit would be required to show interest if you are applying ED, I would strongly encourage you to visit any school before you decide to apply ED to make sure that the school truly is your first choice.</p>
<p>The two schools that constantly come up in conversations as must visits are WU and Emory. Though I truly believe that any of the smaller selective schools that have to pick carefully in order not to get a phantom class look intensely at actual interest. I know that one thing that really helped with a schools is spending a number of days visiting instead of speed visit. We combined it with a visit with old friends and stayed 4-5 days, and S spend a bit of that time nearly each day on the campus and made sure that the adcoms knew it without being too obvious. We followed up with a note saying how much we enjoyed the city and would love visiting S there. However, I do want to emphasize that S did love both schools that we did this way. No pretense there at all. That seemed to make a great impression on the adcom who e-mailed him a couple of time for some chats and he was in, though his grades made him reaches for those schools.</p>